Specifically Excluding Religion Politely?

NYCBruin · July 2013

I'm always fascinated at how worked up people get about wishing someone "Merry Christmas."

I'm Catholic but have lots of Jewish friends. Growing up one of my closest friends and I would exchange both Christmas cards and Chanukah cards (twice the cards, twice the fun!). She would come to my family's tree trimming parties and I always spent at least one night of Chanukah with hers. I never thought it was a big deal when my Jewish friends wished me a Happy Chanukah. They didn't think it was a big deal when I wished them a Merry Christmas.

I also agree with the PPs that have pointed out that most of the things associated with Christmas in mainstream culture have very little to do with the religious meaning of the holiday. And many non-Christians also celebrate Christmas.

FWIW I think it's even more absurd when people get upset that someone wished them "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."

bethsmiles · July 2013

daisey18 said:

@ phira:
If I were you, I would just say, "Happy Hanukkah" in return. Since you do consider yourself Jewish, and I am guessing that you celebrated that holiday when you were a child? It's a nice way to remind people that everybody doesn't celebrate Christmas, and wish them well in return.
Personally, as a gentile kid- I never understood why Christians didn't celebrate Hanukkah as well. Jesus did! And I like the silver and blue colors more.

The event that Hanukkah celebrates happened after Jesus and has nothing to do with Christianity. That's why Christians don't celebrate it.

ETA: Apparently I'm mistaken.

AroundTheBlock · July 2013

The cleansing of the temple after the desecration by Antiochus IV occurred in 164 BCE ... which was not really all that long (ahem) "after" (ahem) Jesus.

BMoreBride6 · July 2013

southernbelle0915 said:

StageManager14 said:

southernbelle0915 said:

Although I am Christian, I think "Merry Christmas" is presumptuous. Everyone does not celebrate Christmas so wishing everyone a Merry Christmas is weird.

I wouldn't freak out or get mad by any means, but I would think it was a little weird if everyone said to me "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Kwanza". I think if you don't know for sure what people celebrate, just tell them to have a good day, enjoy the season or whatever.

Do you feel the same way about Independence Day or Thanksgiving? Also national holidays that are widely celebrated but that some choose not to celebrate.

Nope - just religious observances.

ETA: as far as "national holidays that are widely celebrated but some choose not to celebrate", I'm not sure I've ever had the dilemma of whether or not to wish someone a Happy Columbus Day or Happy Flag Day due to not knowing whether or not they celebrate it.

Generally, if the situation presents itself where I'd like to give someone I don't know well-wishes, I just say "have a good day", "enjoy your evening" or something similar unless I know them and can be more personal.

Just curious, do you always get upset if someone instinctually says, "Bless you" when they sneeze?

bethsmiles · July 2013

StageManager14 said:

daisey18 said:

@ phira:
If I were you, I would just say, "Happy Hanukkah" in return. Since you do consider yourself Jewish, and I am guessing that you celebrated that holiday when you were a child? It's a nice way to remind people that everybody doesn't celebrate Christmas, and wish them well in return.
Personally, as a gentile kid- I never understood why Christians didn't celebrate Hanukkah as well. Jesus did! And I like the silver and blue colors more.

The event that Hanukkah celebrates happened after Jesus and has nothing to do with Christianity. That's why Christians don't celebrate it.ETA: Apparently I'm mistaken.
Not trying to pick on you, but that totally reminded me of Bill Maher's quote about Americans looking at the Old Testament and the New Testament and not being able to tell which came first.

haha...no it's fine. I honestly should've checked before I posted, it's just what I'd always heard...but you can't believe everything you hear!

southernbelle0915 · July 2013

BMoreBride6 said:

southernbelle0915 said:

StageManager14 said:

southernbelle0915 said:

Although I am Christian, I think "Merry Christmas" is presumptuous. Everyone does not celebrate Christmas so wishing everyone a Merry Christmas is weird.

I wouldn't freak out or get mad by any means, but I would think it was a little weird if everyone said to me "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Kwanza". I think if you don't know for sure what people celebrate, just tell them to have a good day, enjoy the season or whatever.

Do you feel the same way about Independence Day or Thanksgiving? Also national holidays that are widely celebrated but that some choose not to celebrate.

Nope - just religious observances.

ETA: as far as "national holidays that are widely celebrated but some choose not to celebrate", I'm not sure I've ever had the dilemma of whether or not to wish someone a Happy Columbus Day or Happy Flag Day due to not knowing whether or not they celebrate it.

Generally, if the situation presents itself where I'd like to give someone I don't know well-wishes, I just say "have a good day", "enjoy your evening" or something similar unless I know them and can be more personal.

Just curious, do you always get upset if someone instinctually says, "Bless you" when they sneeze?

Yes. I get so upset and pissed off that I sneeze. And then someone says "bless you" and it happens all over again...

No. I never said anything about this "upsetting" me in any way so I'm not sure where you got that. Personally, I just find it presumptuous to say Merry Christmas to every stranger and so I choose to stick with something neutral like "have a nice day". Bad reading comprehension does make me a little stabby though... I will admit to that.

BMoreBride6 · July 2013

southernbelle0915 said:

BMoreBride6 said:

southernbelle0915 said:

StageManager14 said:

southernbelle0915 said:

Although I am Christian, I think "Merry Christmas" is presumptuous. Everyone does not celebrate Christmas so wishing everyone a Merry Christmas is weird.

I wouldn't freak out or get mad by any means, but I would think it was a little weird if everyone said to me "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Kwanza". I think if you don't know for sure what people celebrate, just tell them to have a good day, enjoy the season or whatever.

Do you feel the same way about Independence Day or Thanksgiving? Also national holidays that are widely celebrated but that some choose not to celebrate.

Nope - just religious observances.

ETA: as far as "national holidays that are widely celebrated but some choose not to celebrate", I'm not sure I've ever had the dilemma of whether or not to wish someone a Happy Columbus Day or Happy Flag Day due to not knowing whether or not they celebrate it.

Generally, if the situation presents itself where I'd like to give someone I don't know well-wishes, I just say "have a good day", "enjoy your evening" or something similar unless I know them and can be more personal.

Just curious, do you always get upset if someone instinctually says, "Bless you" when they sneeze?

Yes. I get so upset and pissed off that I sneeze. And then someone says "bless you" and it happens all over again...

No. I never said anything about this "upsetting" me in any way so I'm not sure where you got that. Personally, I just find it presumptuous to say Merry Christmas to every stranger and so I choose to stick with something neutral like "have a nice day". Bad reading comprehension does make me a little stabby though... I will admit to that.

My fault, I was on my iphone and quoted the wrong post

efmcc67 · July 2013

StageManager14 said:

@efmcc67, wonder if what is true? Yes, it is a declared national holiday, if that is what you are asking about.

Yes, it is. I mean I wonder if it's true that Christmas will *always* be a national holiday. It is now, but I can imagine it changing at some point in the future

Specifically Excluding Religion Politely?

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