Last night I had to make a quick run to the grocery store. On the way in I saw the Salvation Army people out (a mom and her two little girls). So I got some cash back to put in the bucket. As I was listening to the bells and putting the money in the bucket the youngest of the two girls said, "Thanks and Merry Chirstmas!" Before I could reply a woman standing behind me chides in, "You should say Happy Holidays." I looked between the two for a minute and said, "Well you can if you want, but I won't. It's Christmas to me, so I'll say Merry Christmas. You can celebrate Christmas however you want, we'll celebrate the reason behind it. By the way Merry Christmas." and walked off.
I know that I was short and that what I said may not have been what she meant. I understand that other people celebrate other holidays around this time. What irks me is why people think it's ok to tell me I can't say Merry Christmas, yet don't see the irony that in their quest to be politically correct they are oppressing my beliefs. I won't freak out if you say, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Winter Solstice, so why should people freak out because someone says Merry Christmas? Nor do I think that by saying Merry Christmas am I shoving my beliefs down anyones throat. (though I openly admit saying the REAL reason behind it, could be construed as such. I was a little irritated at the time.) Hearing Merry Christmas will not automatically turn you into christian, so why the hubbub?
Am I the only one out there that feels this way?
Rebecca F: LMAO I love it!
Oh no, it wasnt the girls mother that corrected her. I wouldnt have said anything if that was the case! Just some random woman.I have no qualms with people saying Happy Holidays, its those that tell me that I CANT say Merry Christmas that irk me. I guess this is what gets me. People are ok with that woman "correcting" that girl, but not ok with me defending that girls right to say Merry Christmas. If she hadnt spoke up, I wouldnt have either. If that girl had said Happy Holidays I sure as hell wouldnt have said. No it's Merry Christmas. I've already admitted that it was offensive that I said the 'real reason for the holiday' it was said in a bit of a heated moment. But the crestfallen look on that kids face just went right through me
Lee lee I didnt say anything to the girl...it was the other woman that jumped her case. Which is why I said anything at all. You could tell that poor kid thought she did something wrong when she didn't.
Not one bit. I was leaving Kroger yesterday and the Salvation Army gentleman said "Happy Holidays" and I said "Merry Christmas" he perked up and said "thank you so much"!!! I always say "Merry Christmas". I am not going to say "Happy Holidays".
Forget political correctness!! It is MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! That is the reason we have this holiday season.
The Salvation Army wouldn't be out collecting donations and neither would Toys for Tots of a hundred other charity events. The season is CHRISTMAS!
If someone tried to correct my kids in the first place I'd have to fight them temptation to lay them flat. And you are nicer to her than I would have been :).
I feel like a tool when I say Happy Holidays....maybe we should start saying Happy Holidays when it's Valentine's, St. Patrick's. Memorial Day and more. They are all holiday's right? We give those their deserved titles...it's CHRISTMAS people.
In response to a previous post -- this is actually a holiday SEASON that starts with Thanksgiving and concludes with New Year's. That's a smattering of holidays in between and Christmas is NOT the reason for the season. It is by far the most prominent (in large part because people spend a ton of money on Christmas celebrations and retail businesses make the majority of their profits now) but by no means is it the REASON.
I do celebrate Christmas, and while I don't always remember to say happy Holidays I do try, because it feels respectful to me. The wish for someone to have a merry christmas or a happy holiday is not about what *I* am celebrating, but rather what THEY are celebrating. It's not about me, it's about them. I want to show respect and wish them well. Just imagine for a second if someone wishes you a Happy Hannukah, but you don't celebrate it. You might not "freak out" or be offended, but wouldn't you be sort of like "well thanks but I don't celebrate that so whatever." It's not the meaningful wish for happiness that the person intended -- which I trust they intended, just as every wish of Merry Christmas is probably also wished from a real place of warmth and joy. So if you want to share a warm joyous wish, you are more likely to be successful by saying Happy Holidays.
Um. I believe the Salvation Army is a Christian organization, so the lady behind you was a total dolt.
I strongly believe that we as a culture have gone way overboard with this politically correct stuff. In an effort to include everyone we've done away with the ability to be individuals.
That's what irks me most...We're expected to say Happy Holidays but it's sooooooo un PC if we say Merry Christmas. Hey if I say Merry Christmas to you and you correct me and say hey I'm Jewish, I'd be like oh...Happy Hannukah and Have wonderful holiday season. If you say I don't follow Christmas then I'd say well Happy Holidays to you. However, it should be more than ok to say Merry Christmas! If I say Merry Christmas to a nonchristian it certainly isn't to be disrespectful.
To all of you Mamas, Merry Christmas and Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Well you're not a religious minority, so it's easy to say that you wouldn't be offended. If you've grown up being ridiculed and bullied because you're the only kid in class who Santa doesn't visit - like my husband was - you might think differently.
Frankly, I think both you and the woman were rude. Rude of her to correct the child, and rude of you to jump in with your sanctimonious lecture.
I celebrate Christmas but unless I know that someone also celebrates Christmas, by either being someone I know personally or because we are at, say, church, it's no skin off my back to be courteous and inclusive and wish "Happy Holidays" instead.
But go ahead and keep offending people in the name of Christianity. Very spiritual of you...
ETA: for the love of God really, you see it as "oppressing" your beliefs that people think it's ludicrous to wish someone "Merry Christmas" 27 days before the actual holiday? News flash - Christmas begins in the evening on December 24. Christmas season is 12/14 - 1/6. Wish anyone you want Merry Christmas *on the actual holiday* or, if you know someone celebrates Christmas and you won't see them on Christmas, then go with "have a Merry Christmas." Other than that, it's truly "happy holidays" to be inclusive of all of the rest of the holidays that happen during this season. If you really want to stretch out Christmas in the "reason behind the season" way...wish people a Happy Advent. Oh but that would be weird, right? That at least would be seasonally correct.
No, you're not alone. I am never insulted when wished a Happy Chanukah or Happy Kwanzaa & can't for the life of me figure out why my saying Merry Christmas would ever be insulting to anyone else. We live in such a "Me! Me! Me!" society now that if everything isn't all watered down then someone will be pissed off. It's ridiculous & extremely annoying.
See my post about a week or so ago.
IMHO your response was way more rude. From what you typed, the woman told the girl that, not you. I am willing to bet that she was trying to remind the girl that maybe not everyone celebrates Christmas and since she is doing a public service type thing it would be nice to wish everyone a nice holiday.
No one is oppressing your beliefs by saying Happy Holidays... sheesh They are not EXcluding you in that, they are INcluding... If your not irked about someone naming a holiday at you why are you irked at someone not specifying?
Either direction of irritation is really very silly. Your being wished happiness either way.
Response to some others - Christmas is NOT the only gift giving or religious holiday during this December, is is NOT the ONLY reason for the season.
ETA - Again no one told you that you CAN'T say Merry Christmas. By your own writing the lady said 'should' to the child. As far as the childs look and defending her goes I think you would have been better off saying something like "you say whatever you want to say babygirl" and be done. LOL
And who is actually being told they cant say one or the other? Is anyone REALLY having someone walk up to you and say this??
because people like to get all bent out of shape and offended.
If they aren't offended then they can't complain about something.
People like to get offended because it puts them in the spotlight.
It gives them attention, remember the whole " squeaky wheel gets the grease" saying.
I think for the most part people aren't really offended by someone saying, "Merry Christmas." I realize some people are, but most of us appreciate the sentiment behind it regardless of our personal beliefs.
What really bothers me is those who get upset at someone saying, "Happy Holidays." I do believe saying, "Happy Holidays" is a wonderful way of saying, "Look, I don't know what your personal beliefs are, whether you're Christian, Jewish, Islamic, African, Agnostic, Atheist ... but I really do hope you and your family are happy and healthy and having a wonderful season together."
Many people are Christian and celebrate Christmas. As a very active, cradle Catholic this is what my family does. I don't worry too much about whether or not others believe. I've really learned that the best way to convince others of your faith is to live your faith. I very much believe in the saying, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words." Live your faith ... others will notice.
I am so sick of this as well! I was talking to my daughter about Christmas Break at school and she (who is 8), corrected me and sau that it's winter break. Yes, I know it is winter break, but we have always called it Christmas break and now even at school they are filtering that out.....our tree at the State Capitol used to be a Christmas tree, now it's a Holiday tree....
I'll take well wishes from anyone in any form they want to say them.
I tell people Merry Christmas. I am sharing with them something that is very important to me. I am not going to change what I say and if someone would like to wish me Happy Hanukkah or something else I would not be offended. They are sharing something that is important to them with me. I am thankful that someone cares enough to share something that is so important to them with me. On the other hand it is up to each person what they say. Some like Happy Holidays and that is their choice. I would never tell them what they should say and would not expect someone to tell me or my children what to say.
I also feel it was the little girl's mothers place to say something. I would not have liked it if you had spoken up like that if someone had corrected my child in that way. I would have most likely had talked to my children in private about what had happen and used it to teach my children about being respectful and accepting of others which that women was clearly not being.
Since my daughter was born, I've been sending out holiday cards with photos. My caption:
Happy Whatever
Covers everything :)
I completely agree. Christ is the real reason behind Christmas. IF you don't believe in Christ, you should not celebrate Christmas...Christmas celebrates HIS birth. Happy Holidays covers everything from Thanksgiving to New Year's and EVERYTHING in between.
Neither of these, or any of the others, are offensive to me but telling me I can't say Merry Christmas is!
I am completely on your side with this one. The holiday is what it is....a christian holiday. For the record, I usually throw in Happy Hanukkah during that week as well. I'm so tired of all the political correctness. If the government is so determined to separate church and state, then deliver my mail on Christmas unless it is on a Sunday. I find that the people screaming for tolerance are the least tolerant of the christian faith. Ok, I'm getting off of my soap box now.
Merry Christmas!!
Hear, hear, J.! Merry Christmas and God bless!
Thats awesome ! Way to go, We are Catholic and we say Merry Christmas even if you are not catholic Merry Christmas has been the way most ppl said it for years and years and now we are so afraid to offend others ppl want to change how we wish each other good tidings Im sorry but I say merry Christmas esp when someone says Happy Holidays!!!
Rebecca I could not have said it better myself.
And as a matter of fact I only ever say Merry Christmas.
Great job!
She opened herself up for scrutiny when she scrutinized another. Good job!
Technically, she's right. Not for political correctness (cause I don't buy a whole lot into that)...but because there are so many holidays in a 35 days period that I say it (always have) as Happy Holidays because it's all encompassing.
With that said...she had no right to correct someone else.
I'm a fan of Happy Holidays till the other holidays are past if they come before Christmas, but I would NEVER "correct" someone who said Merry Christmas, that's just freakin rude!
This is something so trivial that I don't give it a second thought one way or the other. And yes, I am a practicing Christian. I'm sorry, but your response to the child was rude, IMO. I was a shy child and if an adult had said that to me at a young age -- or my parent, for that matter -- I would have wondered what I did wrong and why an adult spoke to me in such a manner. It certainly would have ruined my evening of charity.
Added: I read your update. I get it now. That would have irked me to if a passerby had corrected me. My bad!
But you did 'freak out'...
How incredibly rude of that woman to correct a little girl on wishing anyone a merry anything! She "should have" just stuffed her opinions & kept her mouth shut! I feel it's fine to wish someone whatever feels most appropriate & if "Merry Christmas" comes out but it's not what another celebrates, the other can wish a happy whatever - it's quite UNhappy when someone corrects you in the "spirit" of political correctness. Why must people get their panties in a bunch? Can't everyone just get along? :S
Have a FANTASTIC, jolly, happy, merry EVERYTHING! :)
I don't celebrate Christmas. I think it is nice that someone would want to include me by saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. It makes me feel included and not like such an outsider. However I take no offense by someone saying Merry Christmas...none at all. I love the holiday season. Personally, I think you should not go around giving people lectures. (And I agree with you - that woman should not have been lecturing that little girl).
Don't get me started!!!! Brava J.. Thanksgiving is far away enough from Christmas not to be lumped into a "Holiday".
Good for you! I am a "Merry Christmas" kind of gal - but not brave enough to say something to someone who is being offensive to me. Ugh! I need to change that!
I do say it to cashiers and those I run into...On occasion, I've had cashiers say "Merry Christmas...er...Happy Holidays!" and I tell them it's OK to wish me a Merry Christmas...Sad that society (and a paycheck) has a hold on them that they feel obligated to please non-believers over the believers...
Whatever - I will take whatever well wish comes my way b/c I am sure no harm is meant on any of them...
Merry Christmas :) I feel that it is the christmas season and i say it. I dont think it is something for people to get offended over. Would people rather we all had puss faces and said nothing?
