2006-11-25 14:07:00 · 56 answers · asked by hope 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
since it's business - it's not personal wish them a merry christmas back because THEY aren't jewish and they are the customer. they are just trying to be polite.
2006-11-28 07:55:19 · answer #1 · answered by YourBrownEyedGirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it really important to you to reject Christmas? I can understand that, but maybe if you think, "well, Christ was an important Jew, and I'm just wishing him a happy birthday" (even though the happy birthday is false on so many levels!) you can save yourself an ulcer.
One thing you can do is wish your customers a Happy Hannukah and then when they wish you Merry Christmas, it's a cultural exchange. Or maybe you could wear a menorah pin or other Hannukah badge -- something simple that says, "Hey, I'm Jewish!" Some people will miss the clue, but others will recognize your cultural identity.
The thing is, people aren't wishing you a Merry Christmas out of malice or bad will. It's a good will thing. If you reciprocate in the same flavor with your holidays, then everybody gets extra karma.
I'm neither Jewish nor Christian, though, so my laissez faire attitude might not work for you.
2006-11-25 14:15:06 · answer #2 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be tolerant and say merry Xmas to you too. If this rubs you the wrong way, just wish them "Happy holidays." Anything else would take too long and may be pretty meaningless if you don't really know these people well.
Now, if some of these people are important to you, or if you have time to waste, go ahead and explain, in a nice way, that you don't really celebrate Xmas, but wish them good holidays anyway.
2006-11-25 14:30:46 · answer #3 · answered by newcalalily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a big deal out of correcting anyone who makes this mistake.
You'll embarrass and humiliate them, which is exactly the kind of emotions you want your customers to associate with your visits.
Eventually, they'll call on another courier who won't make feel bad about an innocent mistake, and you'll be out of work.
Maybe smiling and returning their wishes and allowing a mistake to go unpunished would be a better way to keep your customers happy and signing your paychecks.
If you simply must, you may wear a large "Star of David" pendant that will be visible to others or wear a kippa or other identifying item. Then, you may gently mention your preference if someone is careless enough to not notice your identifier.
2006-11-25 14:27:53 · answer #4 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless they know you are Jewish how could they tell. If someone wishes you a Merry Christmas how about taking it with the good cheer intended and say Merry Christmas to you too. It is not intended as an insult or comment about your religion.
2006-11-25 14:17:48 · answer #5 · answered by papricka w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friend is Jewish, so I see it all the time when people wish her Merry Christmas. Just politely say Thank You. Otherwise, the person feels like a total dope.
I don't say Merry Christmas anymore, just in case. I tend to say Happy Holidays.
2006-11-25 19:06:59 · answer #6 · answered by Seven Costanza 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like I explained to my step daughters when they were younger.. don't give people your life story. Store clerks would ask if I was their mom and they would get upset when I said yes. They would then proceed to go into this long drawn out story of how their mom and dad met, fell in love, married, had them, broke up then start in on the story of how I got in the picture. I told them that no store clerk wants or needs that much information. We probably won't see them again. All they are interested in is who is responsible for you or just a question to be polite.
They finally got it.
SO your answer should be "Happy Holidays to you, too". If this is a regular client I might say something about your heritage by saying "Actually, I celebrate Hanukkah" or something similar. But only mention it if this is someone you care knows more about you.
Happy Holidays
2006-11-25 17:22:06 · answer #7 · answered by destineetxny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(some) Possible polite responses:
Reciprocal:
Thanks, you too.
Happy Holiday's
Bless you!
Happy Hanukah!
Non-Reciprocal:
Thanks.
Goodbye!
Farewell!
See ya later!
Ta ta!
(some) Possible "my religion is better than yours" reponses:
I'm sorry I don't believe in Christ.
That really offends me and I want you to take it back.
You'll burn in hell for accepting a false savior.
You believe in that crap? hehehehe.
I'm not a member of your cult.
I don't believe in worshipping the torture and death of a man.
Perhaps you need education in the true faith, may I come inside?
Other responses:
Are you coming on to me?
I know where you live.
Christmas? BOW DOWN TO MEEE!
My wife died on Christmas.
I will, this year my kids and I will join my wife up in heaven.
Yes, the blood of the nonbelievers shall run down the streets in rivers, the Red Christmas is upon us!Join us in celebration as we prepare to march against the infidels! We start at six, wear something casual.
It's up to you how to answer, but realize that many people who wish you a merry christmas, may not be Christian's themselves; The words 'Merry Christmas' are *often* considered exactly the same as "happy holiday's" and the phrases are used interchangably. They fall under the category of well wishing they're stock phrases for ending a meeting that *almost* no one who says them thinks twice about, really they can't help but say it and it is meant as a good thing.
So there isn't much reason (unless you want to offend, annoy, or just strike up a conversation) to correct someone who is trying to wish you well. (Would you snap at someone who said "Have a good day!")
Do whatever you want, just some advice: Keep your superiority inside and know you are better than everyone else, and because of that you can be culturally sensitive, smile, and say Happy Holiday's back.
Merry Christmas!
2006-11-25 18:13:47 · answer #8 · answered by He 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok i say just wish them a merry Christmas back I know your Jewish, and you don’t do Christmas, but people will only be doing it to be polite, not everyone will know you are Jewish unless of course you wear a t-shirt with a big yellow star on it, So just go with the flow it is a jolly time of year for those who believe in Christmas, I mean you don’t want to waste half your day correcting everyone! (It would be a long day!)
2006-11-25 14:19:03 · answer #9 · answered by missy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you is a good reply. Or, you could tell them Happy Hanukkah, or happy holidays is always a kind thought. Actually, though, Merry Christmas is not an espeically religous greeting. Christmas has gotten to be a cultual celebration as well as, or even more so than, a religoius observance for many.
Most of all remember that they are saying this in a spirit of goodwill.
And who knows, maybe some of them will have CHristmas--oops I mean holiday treats for you.....
2006-11-25 14:13:32 · answer #10 · answered by Ms. Switch 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋