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Do you still say Merry Christmas in person, cards, etc?
I do but am feeling increasingly pressured not to do so. I'm sad about that. It's called "Christmas", but my wife didn't dare use "that" word in the 100s of "Holiday Cards" we just sent to past and current clients, friends and family. Only very close family get a "Christmas card" anymore.
She has a point. Why risk offending someone? But still. Seems like the new avatar for the season ought to be egg shells and tip toes. The spirit is different.
Last year, we wished a clerk "Merry Christmas" and she said "It's just another day!" I thought "OK". My husband always wishes people a "Merry Christmas" but unless I know the person well enough to know how it will be received, I wait to see if they wish me one first. There are just so many people now that are either just bitter, sour and/or depressed or those that have different belief systems that I save my merrys for those who are close. I truly don't want to offend anyone. I do think this might be different depending on where you live though.
What kind of pressure?? I don't think someone or something can make me stop saying "Merry Christmas! "
Of course, except when I know that someone is practicing a different religion.
Location: somewhere between Lk. Michigan & Lk. Huron
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Yes I do, & why not, after all it's Christmas. It is what it is - Christmas. I think people that don't like hearing or saying "Merry Christmas" are either scrooges or are trying to be to cool.
Offending someone - "Oh Humbug" to them. They are just being a scrooge.
Oh, well welcome to the war on Christmas overreaction. I'm almost 50 years old and I remember Season's Greetings cards and Happy Holiday cards even then. The song "Happy Holiday" was written in 1942.
People used to say these terms to encompass the entire holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year. I have no problem with Merry Christmas either, but for some people to get so exercised about people saying Happy Holiday I don't understand either.
I'm Jewish. Strangers say "Merry Christmas" to me all of the time. I smile and say "Merry Christmas" right back. It's a greeting meant to be friendly. Happy Holidays is also a friendly greeting in the tone of the season. Why would this little phrase ruin somebody's Christmas holiday? I don't get it.
We have Passover every year. Most people don't even know it's going on. Most people don't know we are having Rosh Hashana dinner. I have to get a special excuse to get my kids out of school. I'm not complaining because I live in a majority Christian society. I'm just saying we love our Jewish holidays despite nobody wishing us anything. We love them because they are our tradition and are meaningful to us.
Why does Fox News spend countless hours complaining about the war on Christmas when I start hearing Christmas music in the stores in October. I see decorations and trees everywhere. There are even radio stations devoted only to Christmas music for an entire month. Seriously, there is a war on Christmas
Again, I'm not begrudging the music, decorations or anything. In fact, I love driving around to see Christmas decorations. I'm just saying, let's have a reality check. Someone saying "Season's Greetings" or someone choosing to send a non specific holiday card to a bunch of clients who are strangers shouldn't ruin anyone's holiday.
FTR, I rarely initiate any sort of Christmas, Hannukah, Holiday greeting but if anyone says any of them to me I appreciate it and say "you too!" back to them. I'm Jewish but irreligious and if I do initiate a greeting it's usually a "thanks and have a Merry Christmas" to a store clerk.
Today I helped reunite a wandering baby with his mom (who was completely oblivious). Another customer told me "God bless you" and then shouted over from the other aisle: "and Merry Christmas!" Did I engage her in a debate about the existence of God or tell her it's just another day? No - that's pointless and rude. I responded to her in kind and appreciated that she recognized my efforts and was being so pleasant. People need to get over themselves - just do your own thing.
I think life is more enjoyable when you don't spend it actively looking for things to be offended about.
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