My boss says we're not allowed to say Merry Christmas because it may be offensive to others. Why is it then if some one says to me "Happy Hanuka!" , or "Merry Quanza", I'm supposed to smile and say it back to them. Im not prejudice or anything like that, but if they can say that to me, why can't i simply say Merry Christmas to them?
2006-12-23 01:48:05 · 32 answers · asked by pinkyfritz20 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Hi,
Unfortunately this reaction is being imposed on many millions of people all over the civilised(?) world.
This week in Leicester, England, garbage collectors were told they could not wear Santa hats 'in case it caused offence' to the many Muslim inhabitants of Leicester.
Each year Leicester has a 'Divali' celebration a lttle before Christmas where the Indian and Pakistani portion of the city celebrate their 'festival of lights'. This occasion draw people from many miles around who travel to see this joyous and colourul spectacle. No discrimination there. And, to be fair, it is not the Muslim community that are being offended, it is the small group of 'do-gooders' who IMAGINE that any particular group will be offended.
Don't let this kind of 'reverse prejudice' catch hold. Celebrate your own beliefs joyously and allow others to celebrate theirs.
I now live in a strongly Roman Catholic country (Spain) here Santa Claus (or father Christmas, Papa Noel, etc.) is not celbrated as much as elsewhere, but people here are tolerant of the figure which is gaining popularity. The R.C. 'gift-givers' are the three (yes, I know it doesn't actually say three) kings, who 'appear' here on the night of Jan 5th and distribute sweets and gifts to all the children of the village. This is also the day Spanish children get their Christmas presents.
There is no resentment here aginst the (fairly small) English and non-Roman Catholic people who celebrate Christmas earlier than they, nor against the Morrocan and arab population (again small) who do not celebrate it at all.
Oh! why does this over-zealous caring for imaginative 'offence' keep growing? Soon NO-ONE will be able to celebrate anything! No birthdays, because 'some families may have lost a child and be offended', No wedding anniversaries because 'some people may have had a divorce...' well, you get the picture?
Just say 'Merry Christmas' and if your boss sacks you take him to the highesrt court in the land because he is 'denying you your religious rights to worship' You'd win in the end, as it is a basic American right as laid out in your consitution.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas,
BobSpain
2006-12-23 04:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by BobSpain 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your boss is a prat, basically. Mind, this story's getting blown out of all proportion and acquiring the status of an urban myth.
There are greetings that are traditionally reserved for the confines of a particular religion or other group - I don't look Jewish, I'm not Jewish, nobody's likely to wish me a Happy Hanuka, but if some Jewish friends happened to mention that they'd be celebrating it I hope I'd have the courtesy to say something like 'I hope you all have a wonderful time.'
On the other hand, Christmas has been around for ages, well before there were the sort of ethnic sensitivities that prevail now, and I've seen loads of non-Christian people wish one another a Merry/Happy Christmas ... even Toby Zeigler in The West Wing, who's *very* Jewish and proud of it, wishes people a Merry Christmas and I can't remember anyone making a fuss about that.
I'd find a way of turning your boss's attitude into a spot of light-hearted fun. So why not wish one another a 'Cherry Missmas' instead?
2006-12-23 02:07:03 · answer #2 · answered by mrsgavanrossem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Wicked Mickey. No one should be offended by a greeting that is sincerely meant. Now, if I was visiting some of my wife's relatives, I would not wish them a Merry Christmas because I know they are Jewish. If I do not know what someone's religion is, they get a Merry Christmas. They can take that whatever way they wish.
In a work situation, if there has to be accommodation such as this for one or a few people, it seems your boss has hired intolerant people that you are being expected to tolerate. Doesn't seem like the foundation of a successful business to me.
2006-12-23 05:07:25 · answer #3 · answered by skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not wrong. I lit the last candle on my Menorah last night (to the uninitiated that means I'm celebrating Hanukkah).
If you want to wish someone a Joyus Whadafuckday (September 25th) that's your business. If your well wishes are not reciprocated, then so be it. My closest co-worker fasted during Ramadan (I'm not sure I spelled it correctly). I didn't stop eating my pretzels during the day, but I didn't invite him to lunch either. I generally wish my co-workers a merry Christmas and those who know me well will wish me a Happy Hanukkah. This then respects each individuals customs and beliefs. To ban such things altogether seems to be the easy way out. My boss had the audacity to open the subject of Israel's survival in the middle east, and my muslim co-worker started, and before I knew it... well.
I am not offended when you wish me a Merry Christmas. If you knew the origins of your holiday, you would be a bemused as I am. Christmas actually is a comendeering of the WInter Solstice celebrations. Early Christians decided this was a good time to celebrate the coming of Christ. Jesus of Nazareth would have been born in the spring time, likely in May. Since the current calendar used in the west is a product of the Catholic Church (Pope Gregory, I believe) it doesn't really matter.
May you and yours have a joyous holiday season.
2006-12-23 02:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by Wicked Mickey 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
On the other hand, Christmas has been around for ages, well before there were the sort of ethnic sensitivities that prevail now, and I've seen loads of non-Christian people wish one another a Merry/Happy Christmas ... even Toby Zeigler in The West Wing, who's *very* Jewish and proud of it, wishes people a Merry Christmas and I can't remember anyone making a fuss about that.
2016-02-14 14:53:22 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, simply speaking, your boss is violating your right for free speech. If he cannot stand to hear a Merry Christmas, then he is not able to be in a place where there are people from many cultures. If he respects other beliefs like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, why he can't respect Christmas? That's odd. You have to stand out and defend your beliefs and say to him Merry Christmas. He cannot fire you because he is, again, violating your right for free speech.
It will be cool if everyone at work can share his/her beliefs with other people. For example, have a day to make a celebration for Kwanzaa in the Kwanzaa's way, another day for a celebration for Hanukkah in the Hanukkah's way, and another day for Christmas in the Christmas way. This way everyone can involve in everyone's celebration, and even learn other cultures. Could be fun!!
Merry Christmas!!!
2006-12-23 05:54:38 · answer #6 · answered by roxifoxiv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well for a start it was 2 days ago... :) You'll only annoy the kind of people who look for things to get annoyed about. People wish me a merry christmas (although I'm not a christian) and i don't get offended at religion being forced on me because of it. People who get offended should take these greetings in their spirit that they're meant to be taken, and stop getting uptight. Happy Yule, Ramadan, Christmas and Kwanzaa to all of you reading this!
2016-05-23 01:38:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because no one can take anything these days with out getting offended. I can't understand why people can't just deal with it and blow it off. For example. Your jewish and someone says "Merry Christmas!" to you. Oh well! It wasn't meant as a derogatory towards anyone. Just a friendly holiday cheer. No need to stomp on Christmas and try to change the world. Shoot, if someone goes out of their way to greet you, be happy as that is not very common anymore. I don't know why everyone gets their undies in a bundle over nothing.
2006-12-23 02:11:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Say Merry Christmas if you want to. If your boss says something, tell him to put it in writing.. Then sue his butt for discrimination.
People are trying to remove the rights of Christians to celebrate the joy of Christmas and I for one am NOT going to sit by and watch them go without a fight.
Since Happy Hanuka and Merry Quanza are allowed, you are allowed to say Merry Christmas, if you choose!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-12-23 03:50:24 · answer #9 · answered by LittleBitOfSugar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not wrong to say Merry Christmas to people. We have a freedom to believe what we choose. I feel if someone has a problem with me saying something as simple as Merry Christmas then they are not very confident in their faith and beliefs. I respect everyone's beliefs even if it is not my own. Maybe you could encourage your boss or coworkers to embrace and do something to represent all of the holidays to make everyone feel a part of the group. Instead of all Christmas decorations, add Hannakah and Kwannza decor too.
2006-12-23 01:58:51 · answer #10 · answered by wildcat137 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋