"Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays"
I'm a bit late since the season is over, but I've wondered what was the big deal between these two greetings. I grew up saying "Merry Christmas" and it seem like it wasn't a problem at all. However, people of different religions or no affiliation with any religion seem to be "offended" or "annoyed" by this phrase and would prefer "Happy Holidays" according to articles I have read. Here's my question: do you feel uncomfortable with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?" Why or why not? I'll start. I don't have a problem with any of those greetings; however, if someone has a problem with one of them I will say the one that they feel comfortable with to not cause conflict or be insensitive to their background.
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Um, I thought that by saying Merry Christmas you only wish them all best for Christmas and Happy holidays are happy Christmas+New Year....
Apparently not. It seems that a good bit of people doesn't feel comfortable with "Merry Christmas" because Christmas is seen more as a Christian celebration and they feel as though Christians have more of a privilege than those of a different religion or no religion at all.
Anything you say will piss off any one-number of people, doesn't matter their creed or religious affiliation. May as well just say whatever you want.
I am always saying "Happy New Year". This shouldn't insult anyone, I hope.
I know I can't please everyone, but I don't like it when people are upset over something I have said.
vs Season's Greetings
This year shirtless muslims from Manchester were beating their chests on the streets; brutal and bloody ceremony. Roads were blocked and I doubt any Englishman was asked if he wants to witness this or not.
AND YOU'RE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH "MERRY CHRISTMAS" GREETING!
Tell the "offended ones" to gtfo.
That's always been my philosophy.
Even if you're of a different religion, being cheerfully wished a "Merry Christmas" should not be grounds for being offended. It is a happy sentiment of love, not a direct command to obey the doctrines of Jesus and Christianity. Some people need to worry about actual problems going on in the world and not their own sensitive little realities.
Simple rule of thumb...if it is you..wish people a Merry Christmas....if you run a business...Happy Holidays...a business is open to the public and there are many religions celebrating at this time of year...a little consideration goes a long way.
Saying Happy Holidays is being considerate of the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas. And even if you don't celebrate it, if someone says Merry Christmas to you, either politely correct them or don't say anything and move on with your life like a normal person. This really shouldn't be as big of a controversy as it is every single year.
It doesn't matter, it just doesn't. Say whatever you'd like, and don't worry about the effect it will have on the people you say it to. You're not going to give them PTSD by giving the wrong greeting to fit their religion. Or you can be like me, and don't greet people at all.
This is the correct way to say it
But seriously most people i hear saying it here in the UK say "merry christmas" or "happy christmas" as "happy holidays" is more of a American thing. I don't really care how people say it but i normally say "happy christmas".
This is just one of those things that both political parties use to energize their most radical members. 99% of the population doesn't care.
I didn't realize that people had an issue with saying "Merry Christmas" until I worked as a cashier for 2 years. I'd tell someone to have a great Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., which was usually met with a glare and someone snarling that they don't celebrate said holiday. As a result, I only say "Have a great Thanksgiving" or "Merry Christmas" if it's said to me first.
Edit: I realized after posting that I didn't really answer the OPs question.
I have no issue with any holiday greeting personally. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah. Say whichever you prefer. I think it's a bit petty to tell others how they're allowed to spread holiday cheer.
Basically the people that get offended over Merry Christmas are crybabies that get offended over everything. These are the type of people that scream at you for simply disagreeing with them. Even some of the founding fathers weren't religious and they would say Merry Christmas. Christmas is a time of families coming together and sharing happiness with one another. Happy holidays sounds dumb in my opinion as I say which holiday ? We have many within a year. People that argue with that same notation are part of what is wrong with people of this modern age. My grandfather used to tell me that the 1950's were a much simpler time and I think of that every time I watch the Christmas Story.
I say Have a good holiday. I think that's all encompassing. But if someone says Merry Christmas to me, I say it back.
I've worked in retail for many years and even as a manager for just as long also. Most people are ignorant and intolerant morons that shop retail. There are many good customers, yet there are also some that think that customer service workers are the equivalent of modern slaves that can be talked down to and mocked. Those type of people are on power trips and I tell them that their behavior is unacceptable and if it continues, then we have the right to refuse service to them. Some people I've seen try to put on an act to trip up the cashiers, just to argue with them.
Working retail I met quite a few colorful characters. One customer started screaming bloody murder at me because his card got declined, and he darted off to get my manager before I could say a word while his teenage son stayed at the register. It made me extremely annoyed to say the least. After he was gone the son told me not to take his outburst to heart because his father's dad had passed. They were on their way to the funeral. When the man came back he was still enraged, but I remained polite and calm. Going through that experience made me more compassionate towards my customers. Even when they were acting out I tried being as polite as possible since I didn't know what they were going through before they got to my register. I whole heartily believe that some people just get a kick out of being vile to retail workers. I've ran into people like that many times. But, some people aren't necessarily horrible people. They're just having a rotten day.
It's 2016...I mean 2017...Of course people are going to be offended, because they need to be offended at something
The way I see it is if it's December 24th or December 25th and you are with somebody that's opening presents underneath a tree, it's Merry Goddamn Christmas to you. If you're around those 12(?) candles, Happy Motherfucking Hanukkah. If you're celebrating that 3rd holiday that I don't remembers' name, it's Happy abso-posi-fucking-lutely Other Holiday to you.
And when you're drunk off your ass screaming at a ball exploding into confetti/a dragon in a parade, then I wish you a Happy Ass (Chinese)New Year.
Huh, thanks for explaining. People will always find a way to feel offended, man.
I say happy holidays if I don't know someone's religion because that way it doesn't exclude anyone.
I see it less of an issue of 'omg PC offended culture >:( modern age sukk >:(' and more just like..covering all bases? Happy holidays works for pretty much all people whereas the majority of the globe doesn't celebrate Christmas, I just personally think it makes sense to say happy holidays (and of course Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah etc. if you know the religion).
Just my opinion. I don't really understand people getting all offended over some people preferring to say Happy Holidays? It's just a couple of words, it's not a big deal. People are getting offended over people getting offended, and then trying to act all superior. Just chill. Such a minor thing being blown up out of proportion for drama and people getting offended and trying to say Christianity is under attack or whatever nonsense.
If you're tired of people getting offended over a couple of words...then stop getting offended over a couple of words.
Well 'holidays' I think refers to other holidays happening at the time like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.
Christmas Story took place in 1938.
Don't you know? It's [insert year here] and saying "Merry Christmas" can hurt the special snowflakes' feelings!
To answer your question: I could care less and if someone says "Happy Holidays". Now, if you wish me a Merry Christmas? That's absolutely fine.
I don't care if you tell me it's happy or merry [insert holiday here], and I'll respect whatever you celebrate and believe in. Just respect my using the phrase "Merry Christmas" and I won't hate you.
Regardless of religion, anyone raised in a western country would know that people don't say 'Merry Christmas' just to be offensive to other people. Christmas isn't even really a religious holiday anymore (it's celebrated by almost everyone in the west, plenty of whom aren't religious), and there's not really a religious connotation to the phrase 'Merry Christmas'. So I really don't see why anyone should be offended over something that isn't even an attack on your religion.
Hell I do not even understand Christmas any more...just what are we celebrating? Certainly not the birth of Jesus..that is late march to early april...more likely late march.
I've honestly considered not celebrating Christmas after 2016. It feels like just an excuse for people to give each other free shit these days, which I definitely do not deserve given my lack of employment and performance in school.
Happy holidays is more encompassing, but Merry Christmas gets the sentimate across all the same. Either or, who cares?
I don't celebrate every holiday but I don't get offended when people tell me "Happy " etc. because I know they are trying to be polite and are basically wishing me a good day which in my opinion is kind of them too, allot of people would just say nothing at all.
In my opinion, it's just part of human decency and appreciating the different religions and cultures around you, sure you might not celebrate that holiday but is it really necessary to ruin someone's good gesture and day by being irrationally insulted over two words that aren't meant for insult? That's like saying "I love you" is another saying for "You're a slut".
I understand allot of people like being politically correct but for fuck's sake, it feels like there were less people getting offended before politically correctness became a central thing.
Despite all that, I still say "Happy Holidays" to try and be considerate because as I'm studying human Psychology I've come to know that the way you wish people well can make them feel bad, angry or excluded, although I've said "Merry Christmas" to people of all religions and cultures where I work and I'm glad to say that they all said it back because at the end of the day, it's not an attempt to attack someone's being or background.
Who gives a shit? Say whatever you want.
I'm offended at your observation.
Happy 4 days off work
I know that other holidays are going on at the time, yet it's traditional for most to say Merry Christmas. If I went to Israel, I'd see Hannekuh, or if I went to Uganda, is see Kwanzaa, yet in Europe and United States it's custom for Christmas. People weren't offended twenty years ago over this stuff. There's more important things to worry about.
On a side note, I didn't know that Christmas Story took place in the 1938, I guess it makes sense cause of the radio broadcasts and refrences to Wizard of Oz, lol.
Happy Holidays. I wanna be fair and equal with other holidays.
I usually say Merry Christmas. When someone says that that phrase offends them, I just say that saying anything other then Merry Christmas offends me. Therefore, we are both offended.
Fuck political correctness!
I wouldn't worry about offending anyone over such a matter. If someone gets genuinely offended over such a phrase, then they are of low intelligence and are genuinely a nasty person. It reminds me of Scrooge in all honesty.
Thank you to everyone for giving out their opinions! I wanted to see this topic in the perspective of others - similar or different.
It's no problem. Everyone gets offended over everything these days. I'm 23 and agree with Clint Eastwood on this one "This is a p%%%% generation." If someone doesn't like me or gets offended by me for whatever reason then they can f off. I'm easy to get along with yet I don't like people that feel that they are a king or queen.