Do you think society has taken this too far?

Question

It is now against most company policies in the customer service field for employees to wish someone Merry Christmas. It is said that if you say this to someone you are forcing your religion on someone. I don't myself see the problem, if someone came to me and said Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, I would tell them thank you and the same to you! Why is it that we have to be so guarded about what we say? Do you agree with this or disagree? Why?

To the person who asked for 5 examples....easy.
Steak n Shake- worked there
Most apartment complexes in the USA
Olive Garden- worked there
Kmart- they will only say Happy Holidays
Blockbuster

Answer 1

"It is now against most company policies in the customer service field for employees to wish someone Merry Christmas."

Lie. Name five companies that have this policy.

Answer 2

Which is why I keep pushing the HumanaRamaHanuKwanzMassaNalia thing. Gets them all in there: Human Lights (or whatever you want to call the Atheist celebrations), Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Saturnalia (or whatever you want to call the Pagan Solstice holidays).
Happy Festivus, All!
Really, Political Correctness has gone too far in the US, and probably in other places as well. My kids are handicapped, not "specially abled". I am short, not "vertically challenged". I am poor, not "economically disadvantaged". I celebate Christmas and Solstice, not "Holidays". But, if someone wishes me happy holidays, I'll wish them a Happy Winter right back!

Answer 3

You have to "choose" to be offended by someone wishing you a "Merry Christmas". I think it's a bad move let easly offended people control what the rest of us can and can't do. It's another example of how the few control the masses with petty demands.

When I say "Merry Christmas" to a stranger, I mean "I wish you happieness in this time of happieness" I don't mean "You must accept Jesus Christ as your savior or your damned to hell"

I've been told "happy Hanukkah" before and I'm not Jewish, but I knew what they meant and it didn't bother me in the least.

I think the whole thing is way out of hand!

Answer 4

This is my feeling exactly. I celebrate Yule, but I have never had a problem with anyone wishing me Merry Christmas, or wishing it back. The society has gotten SO politically correct that it's ridiculous! This is supposed to be a joyous time where people feel more charitable toward one another, not ready to bite each others head off because they didn't get the right holiday greeting.
)o( Blessed Be!

Answer 5

From a business standpoint I don't think so, but then, aside from being an engineer I'm also an upper-level manager. My own company calls Dec 24-25 winter holiday break because we have many people with many different customs working for us. I've also not heard one person complain about how it came out on the yearly holiday schedule. We have people from America, Poland, Laos, Ghana, Jamaica, among other countries and it was done this way to be inclusive not exclusive.

Answer 6

Well as usual the PC Police have over-reached and now, another backlash.

First - we were all taught to be respectful of non-Christians at this time of year so we would say "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings"; but the PC Police weren't happy with that. Then they had to decorate "Holiday Trees" and punish people for saying "Merry Christmas".....

And the result? Now this year more than ever before, I have noticed people smiling and wishing me a "Merry Christmas" - even in one case, going so far as to say "Isn't it wonderful to be able to say Merry Christmas again?"

That's what happens with the politically correct, they always wind up going to far and it back-fires on them.

Answer 7

I think it has gone way too far. I would not be offended if someone said any of those phrases to me, they are just being cordial. If someone has a problem with it, they need to get the stick out of the ***. I agree. Where I work, it is very Souther, very Republican. I am a Democrat, however I dont care who they vote for and we all still say Merry Christmas to anyone on the phone.

Answer 8

What these very people don't realize is that telling their employees NOT to say, Merry Christmas, if they choose, is forcing a religious belief on someone.

I do feel that saying, Happy Holidays is perfectly acceptable though. But if the customer says Merry Christmas to you first, then you should feel comfortable with returning the favor.

What's really funny is my husband's store is owned by Pakistanis and they have NO trouble with saying Merry Christmas to their customers.
I love it!

Answer 9

I'm a Pagan and if someone wants to wish me a Merry Christmas, I won't be at all offended. I celebrate the Pagan Yule and then a few days later celebrate Christmas.

I get Yule cards (yes, there are such things) from my Pagans friends and Christmas cards from my Christian friends. They all go on the mantle. It's no big deal

Folks need to lighten up a little bit, get over themselves. It should be a season of peace and joy regardless of your faith.

El Bee, OF
High Priest of Yarrow Coven

Answer 10

There is no law against wishing anyone Merry Christmas , or anything else. Business places try to protect themselves from criticism, so they instruct their employees to greet in a way that can't possibly be considered disrespectful to anyone .
If you had a fortune tied up in a large store. If you fail , you loose everything that you worked for , you'd do the same.

Answer 11

I'm not celebrating Christmas this year but when I was out shopping at the mall last night, 3 different cashiers from 3 different stores wished me a "Merry Christmas"...so it is still being said. I personally don't get offended but simply say thank you and go on my way. That person doesn't know me and is not attacking my personal beliefs but instead showing theirs :-) - that's all there is to it :-)