West Coast Florida Nesties
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
"Happy Holidays" Pollish
How do you feel when your told "Merry Christmas" leaving a store, or by a random stranger, etc?
I'm curious...
I got into a discussion recently with someone regarding this. I can not stand being told Merry Christmas by a stranger, who has no way of knowing I celebrate Christmas.
The person I was discussing this with tried to argue it was OK because most of America is Christian and then decided it was OK because they are not intending to be rude when saying "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" they're merely expressing a joyful sentiment.
Thoughts? I want to know if I'm the lone one on this...
Re: "Happy Holidays" Pollish
I have mixed opinions, and I think it's an interesting topic!
Being Jewish, I obviously accept that most of America celebrates Christmas. I also understand that many Americans (not all) think of Christmas not so much in terms of the religious aspects of the holiday, but more as just a festive time of year. I mean, practically all of my non-Jewish friends who celebrate Christmas have said to me over the years "It's not like I go to church or anything... I just like decorating, exchanging presents, etc". (and again let me stress, I know that not everyone is like that, of course many people observe the religious aspects)
So that being said, when a stranger says "Merry Christmas" to me, it doesn't bother me because I know they're just conveying a "joyful sentiment", like your friend said.
HOWEVER... I give the side-eye to people who KNOW me, and still tell me "Merry Christmas". Don't get me wrong, sometimes people just forget. Like I spoke with my college roommate on the phone this past weekend and she told me "have a merry Christmas!". I didn't correct her, but a few minutes later she was like "oh I'm so stupid, I meant to say Happy Hanukkah, not merry Christmas. I'm just so used to saying merry Christmas." Of course I was not mad at her, and wouldn't have been even if she didn't correct herself. No big deal, she and I don't talk much. But if you're my co-worker and you sit next to me each day, and you know many things about me including that I'm Jewish, it's a little silly for you to still say "Merry xmas" to me as we leave work on Dec 23rd. It's the kind of thing that makes Jews shake their heads and think "awww... poor things, they just don't get it." LOL
Hope that all makes sense.
I don't please elaborate!
I'm most curious to know how those that don't celebrate Christmas feel!
I'm pretty confident that most of the Christmas celebrators wouldn't care.
I was raise to be very open-minded and tolerant of people from different walks of life, sometime people tell me I'm too mindful of PC things like this. I can't help it it's how I was raised.
It doesn't bother me, but I celebrate Christmas. If I didn't, I would imagine I would get annoyed by it, but not enough to be offended.
Like pp said, the thought is still there.
ETA: Many years ago, when I was new to teaching, I remember going into my class around this time & asking them if they'd like to learn a Christmas dance. They all agreed & I taught the class.
Later on, I got an angry phone call from a student's mom saying they were Jehovah Witnesses & were very offended. From that point forward, I'm always sure to ask if anyone would be offended if we danced to Christmas music or I try to use generic winter songs like 'Baby it's cold outside'.
It does not bother me, but I celebrate Christmas (in a joyful, jolly, peace-loving way)
I've even said Merry Christmas to people who I shouldn't have before. Sometimes I just get excited. Tis the Season. Like this one guy who worked at Whole Foods. I didn't know he was Jewish, but he corrected me when I wished him a Merry Christmas, and we talked about it, and life went on.
Happily Married
The Plan Stan
Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well Blog
Exactly, it's usually no big deal. If I'd have been in his shoes, I wouldn't have corrected you because it's not like you knew that he's Jewish. I think it would have been cooler of him to just let it go :P
I forgot to say that when a stranger says Merry Christmas to me I usually say "you too!".
I got into a little bit of trouble in middle school for giving my JW friend a birthday gift. She didn't want to be a JW and was sad about not celebrating her birthday so I got her a gift and a balloon. Her parents were livid and called mine. Ooops.
I need to learn more about this religion.
While you might have been raised this way, not everyone is. I wasn't. I wasn't raised to discriminate or to hate any race/religion, but my mom didn't sit me down and teach me about all the religions, and what I should say so that I don't offend people.
I don't really understand getting upset over it. I really don't think people say "Merry Christmas" out of malice- I think it's just habit, and they are saying it to be friendly.
I suppose I just shouldn't say anything.
No, it doesn't bother me. IDK, things like that really don't get me worked up.
However, that being said, I only send "Happy Holidays" cards and not "Merry Christmas" cards. I am very mindful of that because the last thing I would want to do if offend someone.
I also try to say "Happy Holidays" but I know once or twice "Merry Christmas" has slipped out
Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
I'm with Nicole and Moonstone on this. If I'm in a store what I really care about is good customer service with a positive attitude. I don't mind what farewell or greeting they give me - Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays, doesn't matter. Happy Halloween could offend people of many different cultures and I'm thankful I don't offend easily. (just don't ask me if I'm pregnant because then it's ON). People in retail just know this season as the shopping season, and unfortunately that is what Christmas seems to mean to most these days so it just comes out generically and that's fine to me. They are just trying to do their job. As long as they aren't scowling when they say it I'm good.
That being said, I can definately understand why non Christians could feel frustrated with the lack of incorporation in mainstream culture of some areas of the country (like the lack of Hannukah cards at Walgreens that Lauren mentioned once) and maybe just the overall disreguard towards other cultures. But I just don't think that the majority of people mean to offend, they are just uneducated on the topic.
I am only sending out happy holiday cards as well, even though I think most of the people I'm sending them to celebrate Christmas.
I've really never been aware that this was a problem until the last few years. Like 2 years, and I never think about it until the holidays come around and someone says something about it.
Maybe I will be more aware since I work for an Indian doctor now.. I don't try to be polictically incorrect, it's just not something I was taught.
I can understand that.
I think you're under the impression that I get mad about it, or upset. I simply said it's a pet peeve and I've certainly been know to throw a "Happy Hanukkah" to make a point.
As an adult you're making a conscious choice to grow as a person and become more "cultured" it's the people who choose not to do so that annoy me.
This is what bothers me as well, it's not that a person "slips up" and wishes a Merry Christmas. I get that, heck i'm sure i've done it before. It's the fact that people continue to do so after being corrected or after they've been "trained" to do it a different way.
I worked in retail for 4 years, one of the first things discussed during the holidays season is that you should use "Happy Holidays".
And nonbelief :-) ITA with you.
OP-No, not offended. When anyone wishes me a greeting of joy/warmth/whatever, I'm not offended, personally. I generally try to just wish say anything holidays oriented to people that I KNOW are celebrating.
And about the Jehovah's Witnesses, I know there are varying personalities in any group of people, but I generally find them to be some of the most tolerant/respectful people I know. I work with several, including one who is essentially my other half (at the office). We talk all the time about religion; it's actually really interesting. She's interested in why I believe in nothing, basically, and I'm interested in her religion and why they do some of what they do.
Jen, if you have questions, there's a good chance I've asked some of them. Shoot, and I'll do my best!
My silly Lily is almost 4.
I say either. It really depends on the situation. When I worked in retail, if someone was buying Christmas stuff I'd wish them a Merry Christmas. If thier items were not Christmasy looking, it would be Happy Holidays. Same with my patients and their families (in regards to clothes, cards in the room, etc). I always send out Merry Christmas cards because I know everyone on my card list and I know they all celebrate Christmas. For my Jewish freinds, I'll buy them Hanukkah cards.
I don't really care if people say Merry Christmas or not to me. I had a little girl at Ross wish me a Happy Hanukkah. I smiled and wished her a Happy Hanukkah as well. I wasn't in the least bit offended! I used to work at an all Jewish retirement home out in San Diego and I loved that I got to learn more about the Jewish religion. I already knew a little, but that was really a lot fun. I love learning about different cultures/religions! I love to travel and learn new things. I can't understand how people can spend their whole lives sheltered in a tiny bubble in the 21st century.
Thanks, there's nothing in particular that I can think of right now. If I think of anything, I'll let you know.
And just to clarify, from my story about the angry mom.. I hear complaints from angry parents about all sorts of things. This particular circumstance just popped to mind because of the topic. I could probably share an angry mom story about anything.
Doesn't bother me, but like some of the other girls, I celebrate Christmas. But to counteract that, I had a student tell me Happy Hanukkah the other day and I wasn't offended. The way I look at it is that they are saying something to be nice during the holiday season.
I do know a few Jehovah's Witnesses and I am very careful not to say Happy Holidays or whatever. I just always say "Enjoy your vacation," lol.
My Married Bio!
My BFP Chart!
Hmmm...reading these responses is very enlightening. My siggy button says it all. I am one of those crazy self admitted "Jesus freaks". My DH and I wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for our faith.
I honestly never even thought twice about saying "Merry Chirstmas" to anyone until last year. That's when I finally came across someone who responded with "Keep it neutral!", which caught me completely off guard. I've always said it out of joy and certainly wasn't trying to offend anyone.
Chavis and I were absolutely SHOCKED at how hard it was to find boxed "Christmas" cards last yeat. We must've gone to 4 or 5 different stores until we could actually find cards that said "Merry Christmas" on them. I don't want to say "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings". We finally had to go to Family Christian just to get anything close to what we wanted. Anytime I see decorations, cards, etc now that say "Merry Christmas" on them I buy it because it seems like a rarity these days.
Santas, snowmen, and reindeer don't do it for us. HE is the reason we are celebrating! I wish everyone could know the joy that comes from knowing Him.
OK, flame away!
est. 10/10/10
There's no reason to flame you! We're all free to celebrate and believe anything we choose
There's nothing wrong with you wanting to send religious Christmas cards out, or to wish your loved ones a Merry Christmas. Just as long as you're open-minded toward others who may have different beliefs than you do. From what I've seen of your posts since you've been on the board, you seem like a nice person who would certainly be mindful of this 
Ditto.
I understand that it seems silly, but honestly, this boy has no idea what I celebrate. I don't discuss my specific holiday with my students, but all the holidays celebrated by everyone (that's what we are supposed to do). It makes our students culturally aware. So, for all he knows, I could be Jewish.
FWIW, I think it is just a nice gesture
. It's like when I say "Bless you" when someone sneezes. That phrase is so automatic to me that I wouldn't even think that I could offend someone who doesn't practice religion or doesn't believe in God. Just my opinion 
.
My Married Bio!
My BFP Chart!