Who are all these people who object to the NOT saying the “Merry Christmas” greeting out loud? Why are these innocent words a matter of top importance for the President of the United States? Oh, right…I do understand that they are various Christian and so-called Christian groups who echo what they hear from their pulpits and take offense simply because others say they are offensive.
I never stopped saying “Merry Christmas” to people that I knew to be Christian. But why make such a big deal about it? Actually I approve of general phrases tossed about willy-nilly. Happy Holidays is an all purpose phrase that is (or not) meaningful to other religious groups. To be really politically correct… Jewish people can be wished Happy Hanukka if we want to be specific about the particular “holiday” we greet others. Or of course their is Ramadon, the Muslim holiday. The African American holiday is Kwanzaa.
However…I always try to be careful in assuming any ethnic or religious affiliations. With any luck the check out cashiers and service people will assume the lead and insert their greeting of choice before me. Whatever they say, I follow suit. If they say “Happy Holidays” I say the same thing back… or just “you too.”
ah well… checking back over this small post, I grimace slightly as all the potentially rude or wrong greetings remind me that I may forget someone, mis-label them, or just be ignorant of their orientation. It isn’t that I don’t care, because in most cases politeness or common courtesy dictates what to say. Also, there is always the fall-back phrase “Have a Nice Day.” Or we could all adopt a special greeting such as “Happy Tuesday,” or “Merry Friday.”
Peace be with you…as the Star Wars troops might say.
SOMETIMES 