Over the weekend I worked for a friend of mine who runs a nice handmade items shop. Because the weekend after Thanksgiving is one of her busiest I worked for her on Sat. & Sun. by greeting her customers passing out Cocoa. I was to tell clients Merry Christmas or whatever to them when they came in. I had a couple that got offended. I asked them what their religious affiliation was and corrected to appease. But, when several of my Pagan and Wiccan friends came in I greeted them with Happy Yule and Candlemas. Some friends I knew were Athiests and greeted them with Happy Holidays or Merry festivus. But I got chewed out by one person that was offended by just the general holiday greetings, asked if he had a religious affiliation and apologized when he said NO very loudly. Then I told him have a wonderful day and enjoy the shop. As he and his wife left he said that it was very inconsiderate of me to say such things to people I did not know. I explained it to him like this...............
2007-11-26 00:45:50 · 33 answers · asked by Karma of the Poodle 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can not tell what will and will not offend. I am Pagan and have tried to greet everyone on how they percieve this time of year whether they are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Pagan, Athiest, ect. I did not mean to offend you and I hope that you will not hold it against me or the store owner. I think he is just uptight or just mean by nature. He gave me a nasty look, raised his nose and walked out, but I couldn't help yelling "Merry Candlemas" to him. I wonder, if my religious beliefs are my own and I wish someone a holiday greeting based on my beliefs but someone gets upset because it is not of their religious beliefs but want us to say the greeting of their beliefs, who is in the wrong? Neither, right? Some people get upset just for the sake of the argument and a reason to make someone else unhappy because they are and that is why they argue over a holiday greeting. What is your take on this and how would you have handled it?
Blessed be (((((Hug)))))
2007-11-26 00:51:44 · update #1
sorry guys, when I wrote "Merry Candlemas" as a retort I meant to say " Merry Christmas" just to rub his nose in it a little. Sorry for the typo! LOL
2007-11-26 04:03:00 · update #2
Hi Poodle. some people are going to get upset no matter what we do. I never understood the complaints over greetings. I am not offended when someone says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Seasons' greetings. The holidays are holidays and are seen and celebrated differently by different people.
As you know I am Wiccan, but I have nothing against Merry Christmas or Happy Yule. To me Yule is a holy day, but Christmas is just a national holiday with time off from work for most people.
BB
2007-11-26 00:54:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
People are fuc*en stupid. It's the reason why I'll never work in customer service. It seems to me that a large portion of the American public are an ignorant, vile, unhappy, and contemptuous bunch of morons who are only offended in the first place because its a current hot button. 10 years ago, nobody seemed to mind when I wished them a merry christmas. I still say merry christmas; I'll never switch to happy holidays or some other bull. It's not because I'm christian or because I'm intolerant. It's because christmas is NOT a religious holiday. I put a star on my tree, not a crucifix. I eat turkey, ham, stuffing, lasagna, and drink large amounts of eggnog swimming with alcohol with my friends and family. I buy expensive gifts for the people I love that they really don't need. I stuff toys under the tree for the kids and don the Santa suit. I hang christmas lights and even sing a carol or two. Any derelict that's offended by this practice can kiss my hairy agnostic as$. Don't blame me because your life sucks. Christmas is a time for family. It's a time to be spent with the ones you love. If you choose to celebrate some other way, do it. I'll still wish you a merry christmas and you can tell me happy kwanza.
2007-11-26 01:08:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Speaking as a Christian, I think you handled the situation very well. Here in the US, people should expect to be greeted with "Merry Christmas" this month. If I was in Israel, I would obviously expect everyone to greet me with "Happy Hanukkah". I sure wouldn't get offended, just because I'm a Christian! I would appreciate any greeting someone gives me based on whatever faith (or non-faith) it is derived from. It's still just a pleasant greeting. Sheesh. Some people are just way too over-sensitive!
2007-11-26 01:21:27 · answer #3 · answered by kaz716 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
G'day Penny, Thank you in your query. Happy or merry Xmas remains to be essentially the most wellknown greetings. Queen Elizabeth II, who's the top of state of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth containing humans of many devout backgrounds similar to Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists makes use of Happy Christmas in her greetings. Alternatively, completely happy vacations or seasons greetings are quality normal greetings. If you will have an seen indication that any person celebrates an extra religion than Christianity and you recognize what it's, provide them the suitable greeting. If you're speakme with a rabbi, want him a completely happy Hanukkah. Don't fear an excessive amount of. For instance, extra African-Americans have fun Xmas than Kwanzaa. Most humans will consciousness at the message of goodwill underlying the greeting. I have hooked up assets in your reference. Seasons greetings to you and yours. Regards
2016-09-05 14:39:33 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't mean to avoid the question entirely but... what are you doing wishing people happy whatever in November? You've got a good 4 days till the start of December, let alone the end of it.
I personally don't buy into the whole "OMG I can't deal with people wishing me Merry Christmas, I'm not even Christian!" thing. It's a tradition and that's the common name for it in modern society. It has about as much religious meaning to non-Christians as Easter has and I don't see people complaining about being given chocolate eggs or telling people to wish them Happy Springtime or whatever. It's just political correctness gone too far - like the new name for black holes ("omg Black Hole is racist!").
2007-11-26 01:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
SEASON'S GREETINGS covers just about everyone.
Whether religious folks, regular folks, anyone. There is a
season. It is either fall or winter. No one can deny that.
Greetings are just that. Greetings. Greetings of the season.
They can't argue with that, or point out that they have been
offended. Have you ever been passed by a gentleman who
merely states "Morning." as though it were a greeting? Or
"Evening" around that time? Silly, but applicable.
Season's Greetings!
Sure, other phrases roll off the tongue a little easier,
but on the flip side, Season's Greetings saves a tongue lashing.
This eliminates the nonsense of trying to decide who
wants a religious greeting and who doesn't. The season
is not just for folks who believe in certain things.
2007-11-26 01:01:24 · answer #6 · answered by wuvie 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Some people are just too darn sensitive. Why they insist on getting upset at someone for being wished good will is just bewildering. For crying out loud, it is the thought that counts! Personally, I just wish everyone "Happy Holidays" during the winter. It covers every base, all religious holidays during this season and Thanksgiving and New Years too.
2007-11-26 01:25:17 · answer #7 · answered by BlueManticore 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist, but I wouldn't take a happy holidays or even a merry christmas as offensive. Nobody is justified in being rude to you after you've extended a common and friendly greeting to them; this is the sort of self-important smugness that gives atheists a bad name! Just keep doing what you're doing; maybe keep it with "happy holidays!" for people you don't know, and if anyone acts like a jackhole just give them a big smile and shrug it off.
2007-11-26 00:52:24 · answer #8 · answered by fleepflawp 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Trying to figure out why you would wish your pagan and wiccan friends two different holidays? Yule yes, candlemas is celebrated in February, also known as the festival of lights. Very nice of you though..lol
As to why people get offended? Variety of reasons, having to go out and go shopping, christmas being so commercialized, politically correctness. You can'r please all the peole all the time.
I still give the traditional "Merry Christmas" even though I am Pagan, and if they get grumpy or surley with me, oh well. Peace on Earth, goodwill to everyone. Welcome to my country, love it, or get the heck out!!
2007-11-26 00:54:01 · answer #9 · answered by elder_moon81 4 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I think what ever you did is was going to be wrong....You did what you could and it is not your problem any more..don't let him upset you....you are one of those people that try so hard to be respectfully of all people of all religions...unfortunately there will always be those jerks that have to hate you for your cheery out look...I personally think it is great... I usually tell everyone .....have a wonderful holiday season...safe and general.....
have a cool yule sweetie
2007-11-26 01:38:53 · answer #10 · answered by chralissia 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋