let the holiday decoration complaining begin...

[Can I Help Your A$$?]

I've never snapped at anyone.

But I get the opposite problem--people who wish me a MERRY CHRISTMAS like the words are a freaking assault weapon. If you want me to have a merry christmas, thank you. If you want to say "screw you, you person of non-traditional beliefs, who thinks she runs the world," then don't be passive aggressive, stick out your chin and drop a Merry Christmas bomb on me--say that and expect an argument. You'd think that saying it was a crime or something.

Last I checked, it most certainly was not. But it's not going to change thousands of years of a good time.

[chainedbarista]

good thing we don't have a 'celebrate sex ed' day...

[DeltaSierra]

When working at Canadian Tire one year I actually had one woman who complained to a manager that I said Merry Christmas to her after helping her find what she wanted because she didn't celebrate Christmas. Manager asked her what he should do and she said "Sending her home for the day should teach her a lesson!" There's no pleasing some people.

[pile of monkeys]

Well, I don't celebrate Christmas, and working in retail, I kind of have to say *something* at the end of a transaction, and honestly, it's usually, "Have a good afternoon/evening/weekend" or "Good luck with the rest of your shopping." I've had customers berate me for not saying Merry Christmas, I usually just very mildly say that I don't celebrate that particular holiday, so I assume there are other people who also don't celebrate it. These people really can't seem to grasp that not everyone celebrates Christmas, and that not saying "Merry Christmas" is not a direct assault on your faith, it's just not saying certain words. If a customer wishes me a Merry Christmas, I thank them and get on with my life. I'm already forced to listen to Christmas music, be assaulted by Christmas advertising, and have the country shut down on a holiday that I don't celebrate, I don't need to remind you that Christmas is approaching. People, making small talk, will often ask my plans for Christmas, and I again, mildly, say I don't celebrate it, and that I'm looking forward to having the day off.

I realize there are people who think that November and December only exist as months to support the celebration of Christmas, but there are many many people who are not Christian, and it would be just as inappropriate to force them to say "Merry Christmas" as it would be to demand that Christians close each retail transaction in September with "Happy Rosh Hashanah." Chanukah's not even a real holiday, it's a minor festival that was elevated to this insane level because of its proximity to Christmas. People ask me when Chanukah is, and most of the time, I have no idea without looking at a calendar. So I stick with my usual spiel, which has no mention of any kind of holiday, and if people don't like it, they can move somewhere that has an official national religion.

[wolfie]

I'm debating doing that with Happy Kwanzaa, just to screw with people. After all, I'm as pale white as you get without an albinism gene.

Actually, it's "Crazy Kwanza" - to go along with Merry Christmas, Happy Haunakah, and Grave and Sober Ramadan. Source: Krusty the Clown (one Simspons episode he did an incusive holiday greeting).

[Bella_Vixen]

I realize there are people who think that November and December only exist as months to support the celebration of Christmas, but there are many many people who are not Christian...

I'm Christian, but I don't think that November and December exist just for Christmas, and I'm rather offended that you seem to think so.

I, for one, do not think that the Christmas season starts the day after Thanksgiving, if not earlier. I'm pissed that I have to go to work and stare at a Christmas tree and other decorations, and have to listen to nonstop Christmas music already.

You know what? I ignore it. I don't think about it. I remind myself that there are many hours of every day that I DON'T HAVE to deal with it.

[pile of monkeys]

I'm Christian, but I don't think that November and December exist just for Christmas, and I'm rather offended that you seem to think so.

I, for one, do not think that the Christmas season starts the day after Thanksgiving, if not earlier. I'm pissed that I have to go to work and stare at a Christmas tree and other decorations, and have to listen to nonstop Christmas music already.

You know what? I ignore it. I don't think about it. I remind myself that there are many hours of every day that I DON'T HAVE to deal with it.

I'm sorry, I guess I may have worded that badly. I meant no offense to anyone who celebrates any particular holiday. I think the vast majority of Christians have a very healthy perspective on the holiday and its importance in the season. The people I'm referring to are the ones who get offended over "Happy Holidays" just because it isn't "Merry Christmas." They're the ones who don't acknowledge that other faiths (or lack thereof) exist. Those of us who work in retail are exposed to Christmas up to the saturation point at work, and regardless of faith, like to take a break from it during our off hours. The only people I take exception to are the ones who need to force their religion down my throat because they don't admit that there are people in the world who are different than they are. They should be no more offended by me saying "Have a nice weekend" or "Happy Holidays" than they think I should be by being told "Merry Christmas."

If someone wishes me well, I assume the intention behind it is good, even if they miss the mark with the actual greeting. I just don't like being told I'm ruining the country and being overly PC or sensitive or making children cry or beating up Santa because I think that "Merry Christmas" isn't a particularly appropriate phrase if you don't know whether or not the person celebrates Christmas. That's the whole meaning behind "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings"-- to wish someone well while still being inclusive of those who don't celebrate Christmas, because you don't usually know the beliefs of the person standing in front of you.

[Akasa]

I used to wish people a happy Yule when I worked retail. They had to think about it and then because there are xmas songs w/ "Yuletide cheer" in them they would accept with just a funny look.
(This was back when I was pagan.)

Also I got so tired of xmas music when I worked and the manager wasn't around I would take out the xmas cd's and put in cd's of my own. When the manager mentioned it and "How are we going to sell the xmas music cd's if no one hears them?" I went into a *little* rant about having other people's religion shoved down my throat everywhere I go since before one of my high holy days I wasn't going to put up with it at work too. Strangely I won that round. I do have to say he was a pretty cool manager.

[XCashier]

What really gets me is when you wish someone "Merry Christmas" and they snap at you because they don't celebrate Christmas. I mean, how hard is it to accept the good wishes for what they are?

Very difficult if someone is a Drama Queen. Truly, I think some folks just LOOK for an excuse to be offended. It doesn't matter, it's an excuse to say "Everyone look at ME! I'm a special snowflake and my needs must be catered to!"

Most sensible people do accept the various holiday greetings in the spirit they are intended. I'm a Christian, but I'm not offended if someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah / Happy Solstice / Happy Kwanzaa / whatever. I'm quite aware of, and have no problem with, the fact that Christmas is not the only holiday in December.

[Amethyst Hunter]

http://www.fratching.com/showthread.php?t=809 - Have fun, kids.

[trunks2k]

Personally, I've never heard anyone get offended at somebody saying "Merry Christmas". But "Happy Holidays"? My god, I've heard people bitch and moan about it as though somebody killed Santa in front of them.

[Pezzle]

I say what I celebrate. Don't like it? Get bent.

If I tell you "Merry Christmas" On December 24th at 5:30 PM before we close, then deal with it. Don't celebrate Christmas? Well surely you know Christmas is December 25th. Then have a happy December 25th, and don't throw a hissy fit or I will slaughter you. With slaughtery slaughterness.

[candyshopgirl]

I never say anything to customers this time of year.No merry xmas or happy holidays,Its just safer that way.When I orginally posted this I didn't even think of the sayings.I was just thinking of the decorations. People that autually getting offended by a frickin tree with lights on it,or a glowing snowman.I read an article last christmas about people complaining about santa at the malls saying OH OH OH. They were saying that it was a degrotory term used for some women. WTFSome people are so sensitive. Who cares if you wished a merry or happy whatever grow up people

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Yesterday these two old bats complained because we don't carry nativity scenes.

They harumphed, "Is that a thing of the past?"

Answer: Yes, at least here, because we did carry them several years ago and they didn't sell until after the holidays when they went on clearance.

[AnqeiicDemise]

I have an acquaintance that is black, proud and Christian. He gets offended if someone says anything derogatory about his pet causes and just about has a cardiac arrest after he hangs up the phone. He's also the type that says he doesn't care what other people believe in/preach 'cause he believes in his god [praise Jay-zeus!] and that's all that matters, but if say, I were to go up to him and say 'Have a happy Halloween!" .. he'll get his panties in a twist and responds that he'll keep me in his prayers [Lord have mercy!] 'cause Halloween is a day of Satan.


I on the other hand don't get offended when some racist, biggotted old fart tells me that he's happy that I speak English unlike [them dirtah little ] Mexicans that live in India. (Yeah, that one confused me too) I find it funny and a bit sad that someone is so lost in their ignorance.

If someone tells me to 'have a blessed day', I cannot help but smile and say I hope they have one too. If someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I wish them a great holiday season.

Because really, they mean well and that's all that matters.