What do you think of the controversy surrounding the Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays issue in the US????
2007-12-25 03:05:05 · 30 answers · asked by Miss Rhonda 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I CERTAINLY DONT WORRY ABOUT OFFENDING SOMEONE THAT DOSENT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!! HOW ABOUT MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
2007-12-25 03:29:02 · update #1
I think that it's political (or religious) correctness gone overboard. Most people will not be offended if you wish them a merry Christmas. If they respond with "I don't celebrate Christmas" you could just say "OK, sorry." As a Christian, I would not be offended if a Jew said "Happy Hanukkah." "Happy Holidays" is such a bland, vague, meaningless greeting that it offends the heck out of me every time I hear it.
2007-12-25 03:16:06 · answer #1 · answered by David S 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Merry Holidays!
Happy Christmas!
2007-12-25 03:40:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I do not celebrate Christmas, and I prefer good wishes for what I do celebrate. However, if someone nice gives me a heartfelt "Merry Christmas", I smile and say "Thank you, the same to you." I'll never turn down good wishes from anyone.
If you are in a large group, figure that at least a few are celebrating other holidays, and wish them "Happy Holidays" which covers them all.
2007-12-25 03:51:06 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends on what day it is in December.
If it's really close to Christmas, I say Merry Christmas. If it's earlier in the holiday season, I say Happy Holidays so that I cover all the bases.
If I know someone who celebrates a different holiday, then I will say, have a wonderful Hannukkah, or Happy Kwanzaa, etc.
To me, Christmas is a special day so I think we need to be open minded enough to say "Happy (or Merry) _______" for whatever holiday that person celebrates. To me, if I say "Happy (name of specific holiday)_____________" I'm showing that person that I respect them and their beliefs.
2007-12-25 03:14:30 · answer #4 · answered by Searcher 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are talking about Christmas, wish them a Merry Christmas!
If you are speaking about general holidays (maybe just after Thanksgiving) I think "Happy Holidays" is fine.
I don't like the watering down of Holiday names- call them what they are. If you celebrate Christmas, and it's Christmas tide, wish em a Merry Christmas.
If you know they celebrate a different Holiday, and know the dates of that Holiday, wish them the appropriate Holiday specific greeting.
2007-12-25 03:11:56 · answer #5 · answered by Monica T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I use the greeting appropriate to the celebration - so if someone is celebrating Diwali (Hindu or Sikh) I wish them happy Diwali, if its one of the Eid celebrations then I wish a Muslim that, if its Hannukah then I wish my Jewish friends Happy Hannukah, so I wish anyone celebrating Christmas Happy Christmas. I really dont see a problem with that and if a Muslim family, for example, is celebrating Christmas then its entirely appropriate to wish them Happy Christmas too. However in a shop or other place where I cannot be certain whether someone IS celebrating Christmas I would say Happy Holidays in case they were sensitive about Christmas.
2007-12-25 03:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by hemsty 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know I'll get a down thumb for this (thanks to the arrogance of some Christians). Considering Christmas IS NOT the only holiday celebrated this time of year. Why is saying Happy Holidays so bad? What is wrong with respecting the beliefs and traditions of others?
2007-12-25 03:30:13 · answer #7 · answered by neohioguy1962 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I still say Merry Christmas and always will
2007-12-25 13:22:25 · answer #8 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Merry Christmas because we are celebrating the birth of Christ and without Christ there would be no Christmas He is the reason for the season Ya know. Happy Holidays got started so no one would be offended.
2007-12-25 03:18:56 · answer #9 · answered by Suzanne 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I believe that if you work in a situation that not everyone celebrates Christmas, you should respect their beliefs (as Im sure they do yours) and say Happy Holidays.
If you are with your family on Christmas, then its safe to assume that saying Merry Christmas is appropriate.
Its all about being aware of your surroundings and mutual respect for others.
2007-12-25 03:09:13 · answer #10 · answered by rjacksto 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋