Has anyone gotten grief for saying "Happy Holidays" to people?

[nytemare]

All my life, I have used Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays interchangeably. Happy Holidays is just all inclusive. It is a sincere statement when I say it. This year, a co-worker gave me grief about it. "Well IIIIII say Merry Christmas or Happy New Years."

People complain about people being "too politically correct" by saying Happy Holidays, then their panties get all in a bunch with it, so, now, it's REALLY politically incorrect to say Happy Holidays, because they take insult from it when there is none.

When Bing sang Happy Holiday in 1942, was he an agent of Satan himself? Was he waging war on the baby Jesus by singing a heartfelt song, wishing people a happy holiday? I guess we were in a real war then, one with real enemies, not some poor cashier or co-worker making an earnest statement to someone to enjoy their holidays.

Anyway, I saw this on my facebook, yes, I am a forlorn Redskins' fan. I knew I wouldn't have to go too far down the comment of this nice "Happy Holidays" post to find some bitchy people complaining and saying "IT'S CHRISTMAS OMG OMG!!!!", and I was right.

https://www.facebook.com/redskins

These people are so angry, and so un-Christlike.

Have any of you caught any flak for daring to let the words "Happy Holidays" slip out of your mouths?

[sakabatou]

1. Nope

[stopbush]

60. Ditto. I've never had anyone complain about saying happy holidays.

[FrodosPet]

75. If you are against "Happy Holidays"

Then you are against Andy Williams!

[dballance]

2. Never

Because I think most people just appreciate your being nice to them with nice wishes.

[nytemare]

11. I think most people do...

It just seems like an increasingly higher number are brought to a Fox-induced fervor, and the anger seems to be feeding on itself.

[el_bryanto]

3. I did see it in a store once - person ahead of me complained about it

Not really complained just said something like "It's sad that they make you say that instead of Merry Christmas." The cashier just looked shocked.

Bryant

[badtoworse]

4. This year, I seem to be hearing more folks say Merry Christmas than Happy Holidays.

Very refreshing.

[niyad]

21. why?

[alcibiades_mystery]

32. Because Jews

Or something.

[badtoworse]

35. My wife is Jewish

Last edited Tue Dec 17, 2013, 07:17 AM - Edit history (2)

My Jewish friends are greeted with Happy Hanukkah and my wife and I send out Hanukkah cards where appropriate.

[niyad]

47. that still does not answer the question.

[badtoworse]

74. Because Christmas is the holiday I celebrate.

What other reason would you expect?

[leftynyc]

52. Does everyone you come across

wear a sign on the heads that tell you which greeting to use? If not, how do you know who is Jewish?

[badtoworse]

73. Reread my post. I was referring to friends

I know which of my friends are Jewish and which aren't.

[SomethingFishy]

77. Actually, your post says you are hearing more people say Merry Christmas

and that it is refreshing. Do you not see how that could be misconstrued?

[Arugula Latte]

91. Happy Holidays could mean Xmas and, say, New Year's.

So it's inclusive of Xmas. I think it's sad and pathetic when Christians have a little hissy fit over something so trivial and petty.

[Tx4obama]

5. Arizona Woman Gets Punched for Saying 'Happy Holidays' Instead of 'Merry Christmas'

Arizona Woman Gets Punched for Saying ‘Happy Holidays’ Instead of ‘Merry Christmas’

Here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/arizona-woman-gets-punched-for-saying-happy-holidays-instead-of-merry-christmas/

[nytemare]

8. The vitriol is palpable.

Crazy. The woman is "doing God's work", collecting money for the Salvation Army, and she gets punched for her choice of words?

[TexasProgresive]

38. That's the spirit of the season. n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. It's so petty IMHO

Anybody who gets upset about it really has too much time on their hands and/or an agenda (which most wingnuts who complain about the nonexistent war on Christmas do). To me, it's really a back door way to get legislators to enshrine Christianity as the "official" and superior religion in this country.

[Coyotl]

7. People do react to "Don't kill a tree for Christ's sake."

Don't let the Christmas Nazis get to you!

There are other holidays this time of year, and it is good to be inclusive.

[Squinch]

9. I like to keep the Yule in Christmas (against the encroachments of that

newfangled Christian stuff) so I like to say "Happy Holidays."

And those who don't like it can go scratch.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

10. So far, in Tucson, I have told those who ask that we are celebrating the winter Solstice.

Not a bad resction yet. And we will be having a big Winter Solstace dinner at my place.

[nytemare]

13. Well....

Merry Sun at its Southernmost point in the sky day! I hope it is the best.

[niyad]

23. blessed solstice

[Journeyman]

12. I like "Happy Holidays" because I used it as child, first to indicate Christmas & New Year. . .

but later to include Thanksgiving, and eventually Hanukkah as well.

But more than celebration for those happy days, I say it because it reminds me of Christmas break from school, two glorious weeks in the middle of the year free of any responsibilities or burdens.

And that was a happy holiday.

Should anyone ever criticize me for celebrating the memories of my youth, I can only surmise they never liked life even in those years when it was treating them the best they'd ever receive. In my book, it renders them unworthy of any seasonal merriment today.

[etherealtruth]

111. I had the same youthful experience and memories n/t

[LeftyMom]

14. I had a customer at my retail job lose their damned mind about it once. It would have been 1999,

so she would have been an early enlistee in the War on the War on Christmas.

Anyway, I said "Happy Holidays" as I was ringing her up, and she lost her shit. I called for a manager, because I did not get paid enough to deal with crazy people. The manager who came over was suuuuuuuper Catholic, for what it's worth. He explained to the lady that 1. I don't happen to be a Christian. 2. He is. 3. He wasn't so sure yelling at an enormously pregnant young woman (that would have been me) was in the Christmas spirit. 4. She could go shop somewhere else, and 5. He'd walk her to the door.

And he was so very passive aggressively fake nice about it I'm not sure she quite got just how thoroughly she'd been told off.

[niyad]

17. good for your manager. the customer is NOT "always right". sometimes the customer is a royal

pain in the backside, and needs to be told, ever-so-politely, to **** off.

[LeftyMom]

22. Yeah, he was a good guy. Great to work for.

[niyad]

24. thank you for sharing this.

[NCTraveler]

43. Not often enough we hear about managers willing to do this.

Normally only bad managers get stories told about them. Good for him and good for you. Thanks for the story.

[CFLDem]

15. Nope and wouldn't care if I did.

[ananda]

16. No. I used it today in fact ...

... and got a very nice pleasant Happy Holidays in return
and a big smile.

[msongs]

18. it's NOT xmas until dec 25th :-) nt

[niyad]

19. living in fundieville, get it a lot. said "happy holidays" to a woman last year, who, with GREAT

emphasis, replied, "MERRY CHRISTMAS". I just smiled. she would really have freaked out with my usual "blessed solstice", or "season's greetings" (which, I figure, covers all the days and events, starting with halloween, and continuing through at least 12th night.

as has been pointed out, those who get so freaked out are living proof that some people have wayyyyyyyy too much time on their hands.

[Javaman]

41. Had a similar thing a few years ago...

Seems to have finally quieted down in my neck of the woods.

the fundies are only crazy now, instead of the insane they were a few years ago.

[niyad]

20. stole these from sunday lolcats: happy catmas, and happy holly.

[cherokeeprogressive]

25. Nnnnnnope.

I say Have a Merry Christmas.

Haven't gotten any grief for that either.

[Historic NY]

26. Happy Holidays = Happy Holy Days.

[liberalmuse]

27. Thankfully, no.

I'm sort of lazy during the holidays (I blame the the plentiful access to liquor and carbs), so it's easier to just say, "Happy Holidays" starting with Thanksgiving through New Year. It covers everything.

[Jenoch]

28. What's the point in saying Happy Holidays now?

Hanukkah ended 11 days ago. I have heard people say 'Holiday Tree' which is ridiculous. It is appropriate to say Merry Christmas now until New Year's Day when Happy New Year is correct.

[Tien1985]

34. Yuletide nt

[Marrah_G]

45. Really? My Winter holiday has not happened yet either.

I celebrate Yule. There are other religions besides the ones descended from Judaism.

[niyad]

48. an early blessed yule to you marrah.

[Amaril]

68. Yeah, 'cause the Christian and Jewish faiths......

....are the only ones to have holidays this time of year.

[HERVEPA]

76. And Happy Solstice to you.

[Shadowflash]

79. 'Holiday tree' is 'ridiculous'?

They were decorating holiday trees long before Christians hijacked the holiday.

They were 'Holiday trees' LONG before they were Christmas trees.

[Jenoch]

80. Not in contemporary United States.

[daleanime]

103. Sweet....

let us know if you go there for the holidays.

[Jenoch]

107. I will be joyfully singing in the

church choir on Christmas Eve with my father and brother. What about you?

[daleanime]

108. Working both eve and day....

must make profit for our masters, but I'm sure you cond-I mean understand.

[Arugula Latte]

92. Not everyone is a Christian who celebrates Xmas.

What about Kwanzaa, Solstice, New Year's, etc. etc.? Why not just say Happy Holidays to be inclusive and safe? How presumptuous to assume everyone celebrates Xmas. But, how sadly typical of the dominant religious mythology.

[Jenoch]

93. A few things...I don't greet people I do

not know with any of the greetings mentioned in this thread.

The odds of me meeting someone celebrating these other holidays are slim to none. And I already mentioned New Years.

Plus, the Solstice thing is mostly for contrarians. I have alao made our Kwanza cake.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC8QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dwe2iWTJqo98&ei=dTqxUrD2EvPlyAGYsoD4CA&usg=AFQjCNGTJzTRMPdTGMVzy0IAxZrek-qDSA

[Arugula Latte]

94. Oh, contrarians, huh.

Funny, the Solstice is the real Reason for the Season, not Made-Up Jesus Birthday.

[Jenoch]

95. I agree, you do sound like a contrarian.

[Arugula Latte]

96. Solstice has been happening for eons, and the Jesus myth is a recent story.

They even had to co-opt a pagan holiday to legitimize it.

Solstice will continue to happen long after Christianity is relegated to the dustbin of human history.

[Jenoch]

97. Yep, the winter solstice will happen

in three days. Happy Festivus.

[LeftyMom]

98. Amazingly enough there are more than two religions on the world. Crazy, I know.

[Jenoch]

100. Merry Qwanza

[LeftyMom]

101. *facepalm*

[Jenoch]

104. Me too.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CEEQtwIwCA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dwe2iWTJqo98&ei=v0mxUqDOA6iiyAH3xoGoAw&usg=AFQjCNGTJzTRMPdTGMVzy0IAxZrek-qDSA

[Mariana]

29. Yes, when I lived in Texas.

I was working retail one holiday season, and all I can guess is that one or two of the local megachurches had been doing sermons on how dreadful it is to hear people saying "Happy Holidays" to them. For a couple of weeks there I had several people a day make their displeasure known in various ways. It's funny as hell when someone snarls the words "Merry Christmas" at you.

[chillfactor]

30. I am not offended by "Happy Holidays"....

but I say "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year's" myself...............................

[alcibiades_mystery]

31. I don't say anything...not really my practice to say random shit to strangers

If some stranger chooses one or the other with me, I usually just nod a bare acknowledgment, with a faint hint of an eyeroll, like, dafuck you talkin' to me for? I'm not politically correct or traditional: I'm just an asshole. Or maybe NOT the asshole. Who are these people making little political points in their everyday gestures with strangers? The whole thing strikes me as assholistic and hostile - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Go fuck Yourself: Go fuck yourself turns out to be the least hostile of the bunch.

The only one that really bothers me is "Happy Easter." Fuck you, Happy Easter. That's just an aggressive attempt to call out difference - it is a provocation to any non-Christian in a way that "Merry Christmas" is not, or not yet. But seriously - people need to stop using these micro-occasions to exert their little power plays. It smacks of social breakdown.

[Cali_Democrat]

36. Dafuq? You talkin' to me?

[RedCappedBandit]

83. This post wins the thread.

[hughee99]

33. I was at family birthday party over the weekend (my wife's family),

and although everyone there was catholic (or at least raised catholic), I noticed "happy holidays" quite a bit and didn't hear anyone comment on it at all. I think some people just think of "holidays" as Christmas and New Year's and many not even put any thought into the other religions.

[MadrasT]

37. Somebody wrote to the company I work for

to complain about the fact that our "Happy Holidays" email didn't say "Merry Christmas".

Funny thing is, the owner is Jewish.

I like hearing Happy Holidays myself. I hate Christmas but I like the lights... to me this season is the Winter Solstice Festival of Lights.

[LWolf]

39. No.

Of course, I haven't wished anyone happy holidays or Merry Christmas or whatever yet. I probably will on Friday, when we dismiss our students and leave for winter break.

At that point, I will simply return whatever greeting my students and colleagues give me. I don't care about the phrasing; it's all the same to me.

[xmas74]

40. Only once.

And I said that, when I wish a Happy Holiday it refers to everything clear through Twelfth Night and Epiphany. I then said that I hated how those holidays were always ignored and that only Christmas seemed to be important to some Christians.

That shut him up fast, though his companion wanted to know what kind of non-Christian holiday Epiphany was. Good thing there was a priest right behind them in line, lol.

[NCTraveler]

42. In my 38 years I have never had anyone....

give me a problem for saying Happy New Years, Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays. I have never seen anyone else be given grief for it either. I have read about it before. Tells me it is truly an insignificant issue. Truly amazing that I have gone this ling in life without a problem in this area or a political argument in a check-out line. Seems to be common amongst certain individuals.

[Roland99]

56. Bing Crosby started singing "Happy Holidays" over 70 years ago

don't think he was waging war on Christmas.

[NCTraveler]

71. Don't think he was either. nt.

[DirkGently]

44. Had an older co-worker bark, "Merry Christmas!" back at me once.

I laughed. It didn't get nasty,because she had the presence of mind to say it with a trace of a smile on her face, but I could tell she'd been Fox-programmed.

I use both "Christmas" and "Holidays." In part to be inclusive of other and non-religious traditions,

AND in part to do exactly what the Fox culture warriors claim -- undermine the theoretically Christian dominance of our culture and replace it with secular and humanist notions of "Holidays." A misnomer, I know -- "Holidays are 'holy days' -- but all my favorite stuff about the "Christmas" season comes from the Pagan traditions. Lights, trees, feasting.

People have been celebrating Winter forever. It's darker and colder outside, so you make things warmer and brighter inside. You eat what you've got in case it runs out. You share a mug of something warm and maybe give some gifts.

Our traditions, "holidays" and celebrations are whatever we want them to be.

It's sad and vaguely outrageous to see a few televised knuckleheads and their confused followers trying to find something ugly to focus on in all of that, but I don't think they're getting much traction. They can worry about whether it's a Holiday Tree or a Christmas tree and what the subtleties of the theoretical racial descriptions of imaginary icons should be all they want.

Meanwhile, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukka, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays, and an Auspcious Saturnalia to all.

[cbdo2007]

46. the guy who watered the plants in our office...

made a rude comment about it last year when our company VP said "Happy Holidays".

Needless to say, we have a different person watering the plants this year.

[niyad]

49. happy christsticechanzaa to all

[gollygee]

50. Never have

Happy Holidays feels nicer to me because I know not everyone celebrates Christmas and I want them to feel the warmth of my greeting too.

[brewens]

51. No. I usually say "Merry Christmas" and have never gotten any crap over that either.

I guess the Christmas warriors are afraid of me.

I only ever use cards, wrapping paper or give anything out that says anything but "Happy Holidays" on it, ever since Billdo O'Reilly started this idiocy. I will not go back to "Merry Christmas" stuff until they STFU about the war on Christmas! No one ever gives me any trouble over the "Happy Holidays" stuff but I don't go around giving mugs or anything out to try and yank anyone's chain either.

[eqfan592]

53. I got beaten down and tasered for it. True story.

[DinahMoeHum]

54. No.

n/t

[Beacool]

55. Nope, I've never had a problem with it.

If I'm talking to someone I don't know (store clerk, waiter, bus driver, etc.), I will wish them happy holidays. If I know the person I taylor my greeting to their beliefs, wishing them either a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukkah. If the person is Indian, Asian, etc., I usually just wish them happy holidays as they may only be celebrating the new year.

[dionysus]

57. hey Bea, for you!

I made it myself

[Beacool]

58. Oooh, a Christmas bankie!!!!!

Thank you, my friend.

I'll take it to FL with me, just in case we have a chilly night.

[dionysus]

59. are you one of those fancy pants snowbirds? hmmm?

[Beacool]

67. In a way......

I'm going to West palm Beach this Saturday until January 5th. I can't wait, the weather there is in the upper 70s to lower 80s. I'm taking my bathing suit, maybe I can get in some swimming at the beach (I love to swim).

[dionysus]

70. are any of your bankies suitable for a beach banky?

[Beacool]

72. No, bankies are not big enough for the beach.

Besides, I wouldn't like to get them dirty with sun block and sand.

[Jokerman]

61. I get an occasional, self-righteous "Merry Christmas" as a reply.

Most people reply with a simple "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" but I've had a couple of people preface the latter with something along the lines of "I'm not afraid to say..." like there's some sort of negative consequences involved.

The presumption that I'm saying the former out of some sort of fear is mildly offensive but I usually just smile politely and laugh to myself about another "more christian than thou" fool with a persecution complex.

[haele]

62. Yes. Latest at a chain drugstore where there were several Mega Churches nearby last year.

The LaHeys and many "Left Behinders" and Prosperty Gospel types live in little community neighborhoods (almost like compounds) dotted throughout the county. Many of their parishoners are really nasty about the use of even a casual "Hope you have a Happy Holidays" after a casual information exchange or if they are finishing up with the check-out - they seem to go out of their way (with an incredulous look on their face) to inform you that it's "Merry Christmas - like in Christ's Birthday?".

Haele

[Hosnon]

63. Nope. If it ever happens, I'm prepared to respond with:

"Now THAT'S the Christmas spirit!"

[taught_me_patience]

64. At my coffee shop we say Happy Holidays

I just cannot see why anybody would be offended by that, and nobody has been so far (to my knowledge). Should customers say "Merry Christmas" to us first, then we'll reply with "Merry Christmas".

[Wounded Bear]

65. Poutrage is a choice...

The only people I see being "politically correct" about this whole issue are those who seem to bitch the loudest about political correctness in the first place.

I'm reminded of Coultergeist going on talk shows every morning for two weeks to pimp her new 'book' and whine about people stifling her freedom of speech.

[Orsino]

66. Not yet...

...whether or not it was in answer to a "merry Christmas." I've been saying something like, "and happy holidays to you and yours," and I hope it's done with enough genuine warmth that I at least seem a well-intentioned heathen.

[pipi_k]

69. I don't say

a damned thing to anybody.

However, if someone wishes me a Merry/Happy whatever (Christmas, Hanukkah, Holidays, Kwanzaa, whatever) I just say "Thank you, same to you" and that's it.

People who get upset over what seasonal greeting someone gives them probably don't have enough drama going on in their lives.

I mean, really...who gives a shit? Life is going to end because somebody wished someone else a Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas?

oy...

[Nika]

78. I was supposed to say 'Happy Holidays' while working on the phone taking seasonal orders ...

... for Harry and David, but people would occasionally 'correct' me if they were annoyed enough. I would leave them with a 'Merry Christmas' just to smooth the waters at the end of the call. The supervisors monitoring us never called me on this breach of policy.

[cags]

81. Just say "Oh Sorry, you didnt seem like a christian to me" haha

[RedCappedBandit]

85. That's.. brilliant

[RedCappedBandit]

82. One is inclusive. One is exclusive.

If being inclusive pisses someone off so much they need to speak out against it, it sure tells me a lot about said person.

[ItTakesAllKinds...]

84. No but my partner told me

that two of his high school pals had a friendly little verbal tussle along those lines. The woman said "Happy holidays" and the born-again Christian replied "Merry Christmas."

[niyad]

89. season's greetings and welcome to DU

[icymist]

86. I just say 'Bah! Humbug!'

If these people want their holiday to be filled with anger and hate, just say 'Bah! Humbug!' to them and be over it!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

87. Rightwingers are so arrogant they demand well-wishes ordered to their specifications

A conservative-leaning co-worker once got snarky at me for putting Happy Holidays on an office memo.

To which I told him, "Well, in your case, I hope you have a fucking horrible Christmas."

[jwirr]

88. What I have noticed here in NE MN is that everyone is silent. Most likely unwilling to take the

chance of offending anyone regardless of religion. I for one am sorry to see it come to this.

[betsuni]

90. Yes

My nutty mother did every time a clerk said it to her (brainwashed by right-wing media). Last time we were in a health food store and the clerk with her "Happy Holidays" looked like more of a Festivus or Solstice sort of person, so I scolded my mother for getting all upset and raising her blood pressure by trying to shove Merry Christmas down someone's throat when she was there to buy herb teas and vitamins -- there is no mistaking a health food store and a church. Come on, man. Then I was with my sister and we ran into a friend who I knew taught school. I went to school back when the break was called Christmas vacation, so I sort of had that in my head and when we parted I'd said, hope you have a good Christmas break. My sister snickered that I'd just wished a Jewish person a Merry Christmas. Sigh. And there in the University District are lots of people from countries with little to no Christmas traditions whose New Years aren't on Jan. 1st. From now I'm saying, when I have to say something, a "Compliments of the Season," which perhaps will confuse them while I run away.

[MrScorpio]

99. Nope, not me, not once

Even the wife is doing it.

Nary any backlash yet.

As always, it's winger BS.

[daleanime]

102. Several customers.....

I just look puzzled and they go away.

[TlalocW]

105. No - At least not from friends and relatives

But then I've made my views on it pretty clear.

http://colddaypontooning.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-you-douche.html

TlalocW

[Skip Intro]

106. I say Merry Christmas back.

I'm not offended by Happy Holidays, unless it is clearly an effort to be PC. We have a lot of holidays and celebrations in our country. The next one is Christmas. I hope everyone truly has a merry one.

Company policy for many public-facing businesses and other entities is to say Happy Holidays so as not to offend by saying Merry Christmas. I'm sure Happy Fourth of July or Happy Thanksgiving are offensive to some. These are the holidays I grew up with. This is tradition. I might not shop at your store if you try to dilute these traditions. But would never become abusive over it. It's like not going to a sandwich shop that shows Faux News.

In general I'm not offended by Happy Holidays, and it's too bad some are offended by Merry Christmas.

[veganlush]

109. the word "holiday" means holy day

If.someone says merry christmas, ask them why they are waging a war against all that is holy.

[Niceguy1]

110. I usually

Say merry Christmas.

But it doesn't matter what you say, the sentiment behind it is what counts.

[niyad]

112. was in a shop today, and happened to overhear a customer complaining about another customer,

who had, horror of horrors, said, "happy holidays". once that customer left, the other one snarled to the cashier, "she SHOULD have said "merry christmas" instead of "happy holidays". I was too far away to comment, could only shake my head at the banality and stupidity of the whole thing.

had I been closer, I would have said, "well, since you stole the holy day from us, I would appreciate it if you said "happy yule, or blessed solstice".. here in fundieville, that would have gone over soooo well.