Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by macmeal

P.C., by its nature, is always going to go overboard. Most "real people" don't talk, think, and act P.C.---its very essence is to sound overly non-offensive to show us all the "moral high ground"...and thus, in being so non-offensive, it succeeds in offending most of us with its silliness, because it's disrespectful to our intelligence. It assumes we're all so sensitive that we need to be protected, whether we like it or not.

I'm married to an American Indian, not a "native American"--(unless of course, you want to count us BOTH that way, as we were born here). I know people who drink too much; they don't have "substance abuse problems", they get drunk, and they shouldn't. I had a cousin who used to beat his wife--he didn't have "anger management problems"--he was a JERK.
I'm a Christian, but if you want to celebrate Hannukkah, or Ramadan, it won't offend me.I'm a big boy, and I can "take it". If I could get a day off in the process, all the better.

PC is annoying to most people, because basically it's insincere, sounds condescending, and even sarcastic. It's the stuff of stand-up comedy, not real life.

Awesome post! This really says it all. When I first heard the term "Political Correctness" in college, I thought it was a joke. It had to be a spoof...no normal person could ever think that way...right?!

So now, the "joke" is 15 years old (in my awareness, anyway) and it still blows my mind that we have such thin-skinned, whiny people in society who have so little joy in their lives, they can be "offended" at the drop of a hat!

PC... What a complete crock!!!

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by howsitgoingdude3

100% agree with you. I'm a practicing agnostic and have never been offended by someone saying Merry Christmas to me. I'm shocked and very sad, that this country does not celebrate the holidays in the fashion i remember them as a child. Where I live they do not even allow the children to celebrate Halloween, because it is seen as "offensive" to some peoples religion. The beauty of some of these holidays was the coming together of different Americans regardless of race, income, and religious background. Some of this PC crap really goes too far. If America falls it is going to be similar to the way the Roman Empire collapsed (allowing outsiders in and not forcing them to accept roman culture). I do not mind Easter, Xmas, and Halloween being celebrated by children in schools. I think if you move here whether you believe or do not believe in this stuff it is part of this countries fabric and you should celebrate it or shut the heck up and leave (just slightly kidding about the shut up part).

Great post

Since it's too early for the other holidays, habbout just a Happy Halloween! Picture me sending you over some "virtual" candy/treats

[saganista]

Originally Posted by LancasterNative

So now, the "joke" is 15 years old (in my awareness, anyway) and it still blows my mind that we have such thin-skinned, whiny people in society who have so little joy in their lives, they can be "offended" at the drop of a hat! PC... What a complete crock!!!

I'm not sure it's about all those thin-skinned people. It might be more about how you choose words yourself. Why choose one that has a high risk of hurting someone when you could in almost all cases choose a harmless alternative? Maybe the C in PC should stand for Courteous...

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by saganista

I'm not sure it's about all those thin-skinned people. It might be more about how you choose words yourself. Why choose one that has a high risk of hurting someone when you could in almost all cases choose a harmless alternative? Maybe the C in PC should stand for Courteous...

Courteous?!?

So you really think it's natural, or should be upheld as a social norm, to go around 24/7 thru life trying to please everybody but you...worrying about how other people will react to your speech...or what everyone else will think of your honesty?!

You wanna drive yourself insane like that...be my guest.

I'd rather tell it like it is. Let the chips fall...

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by saganista

I'm not sure it's about all those thin-skinned people. It might be more about how you choose words yourself. Why choose one that has a high risk of hurting someone when you could in almost all cases choose a harmless alternative? Maybe the C in PC should stand for Courteous...

I agree, and think it's odd when people complain about courtesy being encouraged. Why would somebody care if we can say offensive words, unless they really want to use them? But on the other hand, I totally agree that some PC-ness goes WAY too far! My mother and I were just discussing this, because of something a casino dealer (I'm in Vegas now) told me... they used to have a work "chant" that went "Hail Caesar!", but apparently some Atheist and religious employees complained about hailing a "god" that wasn't theirs. So now they say "Go Team!" instead, which I - even as a Liberal Agnostic Jew - think is quite ridiculous. As for the clearly offensive terms & acts, I have no reason to complain about them being unacceptable, since I wouldn't use them anyway.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by LancasterNative

Courteous?!?

So you really think it's natural, or should be upheld as a social norm, to go around 24/7 thru life trying to please everybody but you...worrying about how other people will react to your speech...or what everyone else will think of your honesty?!

You wanna drive yourself insane like that...be my guest.

I'd rather tell it like it is. Let the chips fall...

Lancaster
We are talking about Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays here.
Supposedly, this is a peaceful time of "good will toward men."
It is hard for me to see how uttering the occasional "Happy Holidays" is in the realm of pleasing everyone but one's self and that it will drive us all insane.
However, if you want to tell it like it is, and recklessly let the chips fall where they may by declaring Merry Christmas to one and all, be my guest.
Hopefully you would not be offended if someone responded with Happy Hanukkah or the dreaded Happy Holidays?

It's not as if I *never* say Merry Christmas--sure I'll joyfully sing it out to friends and family or just on the street when someone says it to me.
But IMHO it is really not that unnatural to be discriminating about where and when and how to greet someone.

Of course the PC thing can go to far--I do not argue with that at all, and Gizmo's example serves well. And it can be sort of awkward and silly when people bend over backwards about the whole Jewish thing, saying Happy Holidays ten or twenty times to make sure you're not offended or something.
Maybe that is why we end up with these backlash "Christmas Under Siege" movements, with people wearing red bands around their arms.

I wonder what Jesus would think about all of this ill will?

OTR, thank you for your shout-out.

[gizmo980]

Good post cil, as usual. I too find it uncomfortable when people overdo it, and try too hard to accommodate us non-Christians (who don't celebrate the holiday). It's especially annoying when they post a "Happy Holidays" display, which just happens to be in red and green... or put on a "Holiday Show," only to showcase Christmas songs/numbers. For cryin' out loud, just call it a CHRISTMAS show or display, so at least we know what to expect! And don't throw in the Dreidel song (ugh) or a cheap-looking menorah, just to please us.. that's merely condescending, and we truly don't care about being publicly recognized.

Just make sure that Hallmark has enough Chanukah cards, IN TIME for the holiday (this is a problem when it's in late Nov. or early Dec.), and that a few stores carry our candles and other necessary supplies. And if you really do want to put on an all-inclusive display or show, please make sure to tastefully & equally represent other holidays. Aside from that, we couldn't care less what you all say or do... but if you want the right to say your greeting, like cil said, don't be surprised or offended at what we choose to say back. Fair is fair.

For the record, I really respond with a "You too!" when somebody wishes me a Merry Christmas... if I initiate the greetings, it's usually "Happy Holidays," simply because I find it awkward to say otherwise. Luckily the people here aren't aware of this "attack" on Christmas, so it's never caused anyone to be offended or upset - that I know of.