Scolded for saying Happy Holidays

[RammsteinGirl]

I got scolded by 2 customers yesterday for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Some old guy even said "You should say 'Merry Christmas,' you're a CHRISTIAN!" I bit my tongue, because I almost wanted to tell him I was Jewish (I'm not). How did he know I was Christian? Just because I'm a white American I must automatically be a Christian, I guess!

I'm just not going to say anything other than "Have a nice day." I'm not even going to acknowledge that it's the holiday season because you just cannot please people no matter what you do or say. This is why I can't stand working retail! Why the hell does it matter what you say to them as long as it's pleasant and you're doing your job correctly? Don't customers understand that we're stressed and flustered this time of year? Of course not, they have to hassle us about whether we're saying "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas," like we know them personally and really care whether they have a Happy Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa or whatever!

[Kittish]

I'm tempted more and more to respond to holiday sentiments with "Bah, humbug!"

[RammsteinGirl]

Totally. Working retail during the holidays just puts a huge damper on my Christmas. I know I shouldn't let it, but it does. Working at Kmart has broken my retail spirit. I really hope this is the last holiday season I have to work in retail. I'd much rather do waitressing or anything else.

[blas]

You forgot Festivus!

I'm reporting you to your manager!

Just kidding!

[Gurndigarn]

Quoth RammsteinGirl

I got scolded by 2 customers yesterday for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Some old guy even said "You should say 'Merry Christmas,' you're a CHRISTIAN!"

"True, Ma'am, but I had no idea which set of holidays you celbrated." After all, her actions and attitude didn't say "christian".

[smileyeagle1021]

Quoth RammsteinGirl

I got scolded by 2 customers yesterday for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Some old guy even said "You should say 'Merry Christmas,' you're a CHRISTIAN!" I bit my tongue, because I almost wanted to tell him I was Jewish (I'm not). How did he know I was Christian? Just because I'm a white American I must automatically be a Christian, I guess!

I would of told him that my relation with my savior was none of his damned business and his relation with his savior was none of mine and that is why I don't imply what your's is...
no, I don't think I could survive in retail... thank God for call centers.

[Misanthropical]

Thing like that are one of the many reasons I'm glad I don't deal with the public face to face. I love the call center.

I just wish everyone I talk to a nice night and only give a seasonal greeting if they say it first.

[aurelemsrealm]

That's why I just leave it at "Have a good day," or something similarly generic. I've had a handful of customers say "Merry Christmas," which surprised me for a few seconds afterward. If they say something different like a holiday wish or "God Bless," I just graciously thank them and say it back to them.

I'm not real conversational with customers unless they are regulars I like, or seem interested in chatting. Otherwise, I do what I have to do, and let them go on their way. There have been instances in which someone complained that I was snubbing them or being unfriendly because I'm not so talkative unless someone seems interested in conversation, but most customers seem fine with it. I figure that as long as I'm not being rude or unprofessional, I'm not going to worry about what anyone thinks.

[allniter]

Piss em off by telling em "you really fall for that story?? Goddamn I'm happy to be athiest."

[Ttam]

Mmph. I still say "Merry Christmas" just because it's what I grew up with. It's habitual. I personally am not Christian (prefer "Agnostic"), but Christmas is more an event than a religious celebration these days.... Still, I'd probably say "Happy Holidays" if I remembered/cared.