There's nothing wrong with wishing people a Merry Christmas.
Yet, it's quickly becoming almost taboo to do so, and I just don't get it.
I don't wish people a "Merry Christmas" because I'm not a Christian and don't celebrate the holiday. But do I get gravely offended when people are kind enough to wish me a "Merry Christmas?" No. I do not. Why? Because they're being NICE. Because they're wishing me HAPPINESS. Because they're caught up in the spirit of their holiday and are being KIND. This happens so rarely in our bitter, cynical world that I find it impossible to understand how people could take offense... even if they don't celebrate Christmas.
I mean, it's not like somebody's just told you to kiss their ass.
And you just know that it's only a matter of time before some dumbass decides to sue somebody for wishing them a "Merry Christmas" (if it hasn't happened already). This is America, after all.
Which leads me to this burning question: is it really so difficult to just say "thank you," accept the kindness in the spirit it was given, and then shut the f#@% up about it?
Probably not. This is America, after all.
Oh, thank God. I think I already wished you said spirit of Joy and Peace. I'd have to just throw myself under the lego buzz-saw if I thought I'd offended you. Refreshing take you have there, by the way. I haven't beaten the crap out of anyone who dared say "Happy Holidays," either.
There was that one greeter at Wal-Mart who waved goodbye and said, "I hope you die!" very cheerily...what do you think he meant by that?
I'm not a Christian either, yet I still wish everyone a Merry Christmas (like I did yesterday on my blog). I still celebrate it, even if I don't believe in the whole Jesus thing. To me, it's just a time for giving and receiving presents and spending time with loved ones (be they family or friends). If you take offence at people wishing you a good time, then there's evidently something wrong with you.
Hmmm... gee, Belinda, I think that there is very little room for interpretation in the phrase "I hope you die!" -- Unless he was hoping you die so that you can leave this sick, sad world behind and go to heaven! That's kind of nice, isn't it? :-)
Well, Neil, I suppose just so long as you remembered to sacrifice a tree to Santa Clause (and leave him an offering of cookies) that you'll be okay. I mean, surely you believe in the whole "Santa thing" right? :-)
"is it really so difficult to just say "thank you," accept the kindness in the spirit it was given, and then shut the f#@% up about it?
Probably not. This is America, after all."
O.o So damn right.
I was wondering, have you had any thoughts on Canada? I'll be checking back for a reply or else you could email me.
Posted by Clever on December 26, 2005 | Reply
Canada? Well... I'm grateful for Canada blessing us with Shania Twain, Pamela Anderson, and William Shatner! Does that count?
Otherwise, I'm a big fan of the country, and was disappointed that Bush hasn't yet announced a plan to "liberate" The Great White North, and wrote about it here.
Oh yeah... I'm also a big fan of Canadian entertainment.
Merry Christmas Dave!
In the apartment building where I live, the biggest taboo seems to be one of speaking to your neighbors. Although, it's accurate to say I'm not a very social creature. Getting a personal greeting from me is not something anyone would even remember. I think I encounter people with scarcely more than a nod. I'm not a bad guy, just uncomfortably shy (errrr, unconfident). I do make one valiant attempt to greet people when they first move in.
Back to your original post, it would have been nice, this year, to have received several Christmas greetings from anyone anywhere.
I did get one greeting! Last week, in the grocery store, I happened upon a woman whom I had worked with about 20 years ago. We talked, reminisced over work situations of the old days and then she said, "let me give you a big Christmas hug." And, she did! That was a very nice hug. Yes, it was pure, and all that. It was just damn wonderful.
In fact, that may have been the best hug I ever got.
So, guys, keep on a keepin' on. Hug somebody when you can. Thanks Dave for the great journal. Oh, and Merry Christmas to all.
Posted by Chuck on December 26, 2005 | Reply
Having just this year reached the spiritual state wherein I can actually say out loud, "I am not a Christian" without fear of being struck by lightning, I wanted to celebrate my liberation from narrow-minded religious egocentrism by replacing "Merry Christmas" with a more appropriate phrase. This season, I've thrown out a few "Happy Yuletide"s, but mostly I've used "Happy Holidays." And the random "Merry Christmanukkwanzaa!"
Season's Greetings, Dave2!
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