One tedious "debate" that is re-hashed every year is "Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas". For some bizarre reason, there is a segment of society that takes offence to the greeting "Happy Holidays" while simultaneously accusing other people of being offended by the greeting "Merry Christmas".
This dispute makes no sense to me whatsoever. I have never encountered anyone take offence from being wished a pleasant Christmastime. "Merry Christmas" is just a greeting and a wish for the receiver to have a good time during the Christmas season; nobody takes offence from it - they say "thank you" and reciprocate the phrase; however, there are people who seem to think that Christmas is "under attack" and that "Happy Holidays" is the main weapon of a war against it.
I am confident that the vast majority of people who say "Happy Holidays" do so because it's a synonym of "Merry Christmas", as is "Season's Greetings". They're saying it to be friendly and by using several phrases to convey the same message they are avoiding repetitive language. They are not saying it because they support the abolition of an event celebrated by millions - if not billions - of people around the world.
If someone gives me any of the above greetings or another, my response is to thank them and give it to them in return. That's all that needs to be done; the outrage over "Happy Holidays" is ridiculous and immature.
Although I don't celebrate Christmas anymore, I still like being acknowledged. If someone tells me "Happy Holidays," I'll reply: "Thank you, happy holidays to you as well!" Same with Merry Christmas. It's not like people are trying to convert others to something else.
ReplyDeleteIn all cases, they're just greetings. There isn't a war on anything going on here.
DeleteThat's true. I like what Adam said as well and how you replied to Adam. I would prefer if people just told me "happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", but not everyone knows. I don't get angry, but those that do know and still tell me "Merry Christmas..." I do get a bit annoyed. I'll say "Merry Christmas" to family members and those that celebrate it. It's complicated.
DeleteYes, saying "Merry Christmas" to someone you know doesn't celebrate it is just obnoxious.
DeleteI think most of it is just fake-outrage by conservative Christians. Even though the majority of the holiday is stolen pagan traditions of the winter festival. That's why many non-Christians celebrate it as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays also includes New Years and works for almost everyone. I certainly wouldn't tell a Jewish person to have a Merry Christmas.
It indeed seems to be by some of them and by people who say they are "tired of political correctness".
DeleteI agree; if I know someone doesn't celebrate Christmas, I won't wish they something they don't celebrate.