I don't celebrate in Christmas for 2 reasons. Firstly, as anti-capitalist, Xmas unfortunately has become a celebration of commercialism and consumerism than joy or love. Secondly, a part of my family is orthodox Christians who only celebrate holidays in accordance with the Bible. Jesus was born in the springtime, not on Dec 25, which is was actually the pagan day of worship for the Sun God. King Constantinople in an attempt to convert pagans to christians, chose that day to celebrate Christ's birthday. Orthodox Christians do not believe the day should be honored. Sometimes, it's very awkward to have people giving you well wishes and not be able to reciprocate or receive them. I work in mainstream media and it is customary to say to people "happy holidays" or merry christmas. I would like to remain true to myself and beliefs. What would be the appropriate response to such well wishes without giving too explanatory of a response?
2007-01-22 16:09:08 · 45 answers · asked by hellothere 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
"Thanks, same to you!" would be an appropriate polite response, don't you think????
2007-01-22 16:12:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just say Thank you and the same to you. No Jesus was not born on Dec. 25 . That was the day Pagan worshipers of Saturn used not the Sun God. Christians wanted a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and because the government didn't want everyone taking off another day of work they told the Christians they could use Dec 25. No one knows when Jesus was born exactly. Honoring Jesus on any day is a good thing.
2007-01-22 19:24:49 · answer #2 · answered by Angelz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, having Jewish friends I have found the convention is you send greeting according to the belief of the people you are well wishing. So, they say Merry Christmas to us because we celebrate Christmas and we say Happy Hanukkah to them.
So greet them with "Merry Christmas" if they are Christian, but not Orthodox Christian.
I also do not like the commercialization of Christmas, I think saying "happy holidays" and "merry x-mas" strip the last big of dignity from a holiday I find particularly holy. Therefore, I will say "Merry Christmas." (Since I do celebrate it on Dec 25)
I you prefer still not to say "Merry Christmas", you, alternatively, could just respond "and to you, have a very Happy New Year!"
2007-01-22 16:25:50 · answer #3 · answered by Janice M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I"m not a Christian and I have this problem all the time. I don't like getting into religious debates either. If I tell them it's not my holiday it leaves things wide open.
So on days when common sense prevails, I just smile and wish them happy holidays. There is nothing wrong with wishing someone happiness on their holiday, even if you don't share their beliefs. Is it against your beliefs to be respectful of others? Do you feel the same awkwardness around Jewish individuals and their holidays? The season is full of holidays, and wishing people well shouldn't be that difficult. If you want to avoid the term holiday just tell them you hope they are enjoying the season, or something like that.
2007-01-22 16:21:32 · answer #4 · answered by laurie888 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Happy Holidays
2007-01-22 16:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by Terry Z 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The person who is wishing it to you believes in it and celebrate it. A wish is going from YOU to the OTHER person... when it is a friend's birthday, you wish happy birthday, right? even if it isn't your own... same concept. Wish Merry Christmas to all, it does not deter anything from your beliefs and personal celebrations, but it just say the others that you hope they will have a good time with their own. That isn't too much to ask, I guess... :)
2007-01-22 20:27:00 · answer #6 · answered by OneLilithHidesAnother 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont celebrate the holidays either I believe your right about the history of it besides if the sheperds were out with there flocks they would surely die from the freezing harsh weather conditions when someone says it to me I either pretend I didnt hear it, or take the oppertunity to let them know why, or I just politly smile and go on with what I was doing. If you say you to or any of the other suggestions your basicly wishing them one too and thats not being true to your beliefs.
2007-01-22 19:56:01 · answer #7 · answered by fakeblond475 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people saying this are just trying to be friendly. They mean no offense, and explaining your situation will be much more trouble than it's worth. If you insist on saying anything meaningful in response, you could simply say, "I don't celebrate it myself, but I hope you have a happy holiday." If they care to find out why you don't celebrate, they will ask.
2007-01-26 06:06:16 · answer #8 · answered by dmb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a Jewish person told me Happy Hanukkah, I would smile and say "Happy Hanukkah", even though I don't celebrate it. I do not believe I am being "untrue" to myself, rather I feel that I am just being courteous and friendly. Don't be so offended when someone wants to warmly wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holidays. Take it in stride and repeat it back to them - with a smile. It's not gonna kill you.
2007-01-22 16:15:14 · answer #9 · answered by Paul T 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
When someone says Merry Christmas to me, I just respond with Happy Holidays, or Have a blessed season.
They like the last one best.
2007-01-23 09:02:24 · answer #10 · answered by kaplah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gee... Get over it! Say merry holiday or something. They're basically trying to say "hope you have a nice holiday/month" Show your appericate for their kindness. People like you are exactly the reason so many people are afaird to be nice today.
I have had people say religious comments to me such as "may Allah be with you", "God bless you", etc... I'm a buddhism, but I smiles and tell them thank you because I know they're trying to say something good to me and be nice.
2007-01-22 17:35:58 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋