like they think that you must automatically celebrate christmas. i think the term ''happy holidays'' is much more polite because not everyone celebrates chistmas.what do you think?
2007-12-01 05:38:41 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
wow , i cant beleive how ignorant some people are.
2007-12-01 05:53:04 · update #1
thank you guys for your stupidity,you just proved my point!
2007-12-01 11:19:24 · update #2
I have to say I'm surprised at the kind of responses you've been getting.
Yes, Happy Holidays is more polite. Simply due to the fact that not only are Christians celebrating Christmas...
Pagans are celebrating Yule/Winter Solstice.
Jews are celebrating Hanukkah.
Africans are celebrating Kwanza.
There's probably a lot more I don't know about, and for that fact alone I refuse to state a holiday unless I know the person's religious beliefs.
2007-12-01 05:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by Kailee 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think that since this country is mostly Christian, and since it is the Christmas season, it is not impolite to say "Merry Christmas." There is nothing offensive about Christmas. If I were living in Israel and it was Hanukkah, I would not be offended if people wished me a Happy Hanukkah (even though I'm not Jewish). I think it's rather selfish to expect the majority of people to put their tradition aside just to appease a minority that may not celebrate their religion. If you don't celebrate Christmas, you can just ignore the greeting and take it as "have a good holiday season." No matter what you say it's not going to please everyone... the atheists would then say, but we don't celebrate any holiday! So no wishing "Happy Holidays" either. People need to get over themselves and allow others to continue to have their traditions and positive wishes. It's a nice thing that they're saying to you.
2007-12-01 13:46:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I undestand it is more polite, because Christmas is not the only holiday out there people celebrate in the winter... but for fellow Christians, it is sort of disrespectful to say happy holidays because it's taking Christ out of Christmas, and Jesus is the reason why the Christian faith celebrates Christmas in the first place. I can undestand how frustrating it is seeing people say Merry Christmas, watching holiday programs that leave out others such as Hannakuah, Kwanza, and seeing blow up Santas and reindeer all around in stores and stuff. If a Christian friend wishes you a Merry Christmas, just politely tell them that you celebrate another holiday.
2007-12-01 15:18:29 · answer #3 · answered by Tabithia Rose ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like to say Happy Holidays when I'm uncertain about the religion/ethnic background of the people I speak to. But I don't think "Merry Christmas" is necessarily inherently offensive. Think of it this way: it is a day off work, isn't it? I never celebrate, say, Memorial Day by memorializing anyone or by barbecuing, but I'm happy to sleep in just the same. In a sense, Merry Christmas works a little like that. Happy day off work and enjoy those cookies in the breakroom.
I don't know why people have to be so grumpy about this: people who don't do Christmas feel persecuted. People who do feel, all of a sudden, that Merry Christmassing is some holy right. I think we'd all have a happier solistice if we calmed down a bit about the whole subject. How often do you say it to/hear it from strangers anyway? Seldom, I'd say.
Perhaps the polite thing is to take things in the spirit in which they're generally intended--it's not an intent to prostheletize as much as a sincere wish for your happiness--and wish the speaker a happy holiday in return. Isn't that what politelness is about? Treating others respectfully without compromising your beliefs or values?
Good luck.
2007-12-01 14:19:08 · answer #4 · answered by July 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Merry Christmas is a way of saying have a happy Christmas. Christ-Mas is a celebration of Jesus' birth and is the whole reason we have holidays in the first place. Who wants to celebrate Christmas b/c of the materialism or any other reason for that matter. Every thing we do to celbrate Christmas, the gifts, food, and gatherings are to celebrate something bigger. These things are not a cause for celebration in themselves.
2007-12-01 13:44:09 · answer #5 · answered by Rainbows and Lollipops 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Welcome to America, Love it or Leave it. Like most holidays in The United States it marks an event in our history , we do this for memory of what made this day special as to not forget. Merry Christmas is still they way I will always greet someone on that day, Happy Thanks Giving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and every other day which my country celebrates.I have never been in any other country during our holidays so I can't say what goes on or is written on their calendars. America allows all nation the right to their freedoms and beliefs as long as you remember everyone else has their rights and freedoms also . Freedom isn't free! Celebrate the way you want, its your right as an American.
I'll celebrate the way I want, its my right as an American!
2007-12-01 14:20:00 · answer #6 · answered by Johnny 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it is that big a deal. If you let little stuff like this get to you you will go crazy. Just remember people are not saying it to be mean. Roll with it you will be happier in life. Have a nice day
2007-12-01 15:08:01 · answer #7 · answered by feeona 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh GAWD. MORE political correctness?" Ei yi yi. I believe we should have the freedom of expression to say whatever makes US comfortable and if I want to say Merry Christmas, (Which I do) that is exactly what I will say...if it offends anyone, too damn bad. How's that? You say whatever PC thing you want, and some of us will say Merry Christmas and everyone will be happy or not, their choice.
2007-12-01 14:04:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I say Merry Christmas and I say Happy Holidays.
I say MC when someone says it to me. But if I want to wish someone well, and they haven't said it to me, I'll say Happy Holidays.
I'll say either of them.
2007-12-01 18:14:40 · answer #9 · answered by Terri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, maybe because the only reason there IS a holiday is because of Christmas? DUH!! Let me think, maybe because it is the holiday??? I don't say happy holidays on Feb. 14 because it was the Christian san valentine that it comes from, and I don't say happy holidays at halloween because I don't believe that the spirit world comes closer to our world that night? WHO CARES????? It is actually pretty rude to say Happy Holidays because it's saying there is no Christmas, and that there shouldn't even be a holiday. >:(
2007-12-01 13:45:13 · answer #10 · answered by the helper 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋