Do You Say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

By On December 22, 2010 · 88 Comments

"Ho ho ho...Merrrrrrry Christm---wait, what? Did you just say Happy Holidays? I AM GOING TO DESTROY YOU!"

People make quite a stink over the fact that folks choose to say “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas.” I’ve heard the conversation occurring amongst friends and co-workers numerous times this year, and some people get pretty heated about it.

The correct stance, however, is who gives a s***?

I’ve not known a person who has heard “Merry Christmas” said to them and taken it as an insult. Sure, maybe one or two people have flown off the handle about this or that. These are also the same people that get miffed because they don’t get a free meal that a restaurant’s policy explicitly states they won’t receive.

In fact, more often than not, you find people get more offended when they hear “happy holidays.” Some believe that it’s an exaggeration of religious sensitivities that is neutering their holiday and encroaching on their ability to enjoy it in full…because someone said “happy holidays” to them. Is the foundation of your holiday joy that weak where someone saying “happy holidays” ruins Christmas?

Listen, you spoiled cranks: get the dump out of your diaper, shut up, and celebrate Christmas. Go spend time with the people you love. Also, it’s Jesus’s birthday. Just imagine you had a birthday, and someone showed up to your birthday party and just kept complaining about stupid stuff like “happy holidays” and having to buy you gifts. Wouldn’t you be like “wow, what a jerk?”

Well, Jesus doesn’t, because he’s Jesus and that’s not how he rolls.

Anyway, I’m going to say Happy Holidays because I won’t see most people until after New Year’s, which is also a holiday. Not because I declare war on Christmas. So get over it and just celebrate, be safe, and share in the love regardless of what word people use to convey good tidings.

After all, everyone knows that the war I wage is against Boxing Day. Seriously, Canada, what the Hell is that? Unless I get to wear cool gloves and hit you, Boxing Day cannot and will not survive another year!

 
Share it!
Reddit Facebook Twitter Delicious StumbleUpon Digg
  • http://derryx.com derryX

    I alluded to this story on twitter last night, but I’ll hash it out here for relevance.

    My dad owns an Italian Deli, and I worked there during holidays for a number of years. Being that it’s an Italian deli, demographically, 99% of the clientele is Catholic; it’s just a fact.

    One year, i’m going to say around 1996, I did my usual “Merry Christmas” to an older lady, and I was even nice enough to give her a calendar for her patronage. She snarled at me, “I’m Jewish; I don’t celebrate Jesus.” My response was just a jaw to the ground.

    Here’s this lady, yelling at me for doing my job and wishing her a Merry Christmas. Did she really think I was serious about the sentiment? Did I really want her to have a Merry Christmas? No. But, in my opinion, just as you allude to, it’s the thought that counts. Take your bag and your free calendar and get the ____ out, Lady! Next Customer!

    Since the majority of my life has been learning to avoid confrontation, my “Merry Christmas” in the deli turned into “Happy holidays,” all because of one bad apple.

    Kevin Marshall, I wish you, sir, a Merry Christmas!

    (Bill Goldberg as Santa Claus is a great touch)

  • http://www.keyboardkrumbs.com Rob Madeo

    Happy Holidays is cool, but personally, I’m sticking with Merry Christmas.

    I would never be offended if someone offered me a Happy Hanukkah, Excellent Eid, Spectacular Saturnalia, Festive Festivus, Crazy Kwanza. It’s all good. There’s no shame in sharing the blessing of what you believe, even among folks with cultural differences.

    Now let us all hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

  • B.J. Hart

    Have a great holiday/s!

  • Justagirl

    I always say Happy Holidays because the literal definition of Holidays is Holy Days. Christmas isn’t the only Holy Day this time of year. I don’t understand how some people seem to think wishing people enjoyment of whatever they find holy somehow detracts from what YOU find holy. So Happy Holidays everyone! Whether you celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, New Years, or the X-box Santa leaves you… may you all enjoy your celebrations with those you love.

  • BL

    I probably default to “Happy Holidays” if I am not sure of the person’s religion. I have some odd fear that if the person is Jewish (s)he’ll be offended if I say “Merry Christmas”. Quite irrational, I admit. If I know the person is not Jewish or Muslim or whatever, then I usually do say “Merry Christmas”. It’s a lot of over-thinking for what should be a reflexive salutation. I’m exhausted.

  • http://sportsrandomness.wordpress.com Will King

    I don’t care what anyone says. If they want to say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas or whatever the Kwanzaa greeting is, I don’t care.

    I don’t actually know why so many people do care.

    I will always say Merry Christmas because that’s what I want to say and if someone else wants to say Happy Holidays that’s up to them.

    To each their own.

  • http://lizzee lizzee

    Always used to wish Merry Christmas until I said it to a crone library clerk who told me,quite nastily, that she didn’t celebrate Christmas. Well, Happy Holidays,I said. I don’t celebrate those either,she retorted. Feeling quite put in my place,it took me a few years until I felt comfortable wishing anyone other than family and friends anything. This year,I just don’t care! Merry Christmas!!

  • http://www.twitter.com/SiobhanK524 SK

    Yeah… I tend to use them interchangeably around this time of year, because I’m wishing people both a merry Christmas and a happy New Year’s, and I’m too lazy to say all of that.

    However, I’m also Jewish, and while I don’t make a stink out of it, it does get a little annoying when people wish me a merry Christmas. I try to take it as intended, that the person wishes me all the joy of the holiday season, and not necessarily a happy birth of Jesus, but sometimes I do feel like screaming, “NOT EVERYONE WORSHIPS SANTA!!!”

    But I digress. My point is, if someone wishes you a happy anything, take it in the spirit in which it was intended, and not as a statement of political correctness or religious intolerance, for chrissakes.

  • http://www.chuckthewriter.com Chuck Miller

    “Season’s Greetings” or “Peace on Earth” works just fine for me. I’d also say “Happy Valentine’s Day,” but that would really confuse people.

  • http://blog.timesunion.com/highschool/author/cressferriera/ Cress Ferriera

    I say “Merry Christmas” and I don’t know anyone that would get offended…or why they would even get offended. I have deducted that it was the corporations that began to use the term “Happy Holidays” they did this a few years ago because they realized that Christmas was no longer the one Holiday that all of America celebrated, so they decided to change it to “Happy Holidays” in order to increase their profits. It would do so by not having anyone (or any demographic) “offended” by the traditional term, therefore they would not see a loss in sales.

  • http://sue215.blogspot.com Sue

    I’m offended that no one ever says, “Happy Festivus!” to me. People are so insensitive. *sniff*

  • Sunshine

    I don’t usually say anything at all to strangers. I’m Jewish, and yes, when someone wishes me a merry Christmas, it sort of bothers me, but I would never say anything. Rather, I chalk that person up to just being insensitive to the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas. Like I said, though, I don’t say anything (but check back with me in 50 years when I’m a curmudgeonly old lady).

    For me, “Merry Christmas” just doesn’t roll off the tongue… don’t know why. But, I am equally uncomfortable with “Happy Holidays”, in part because often, Hanukkah is long over before Christmas. This year, for example, the holiday for Jews was Dec. 1-8, so by the 22nd, we’ve all basically moved on with our lives and are looking ahead to the new year. So, if I am sending someone an email, I might wish him or her a “happy holiday season” or a happy New Year, but I stay away from Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.

    In person, I don’t initiate the happy/merry anything at all. If someone says it to me, I either say “thank you”, or “you, too”, but in a noncommittal way. It’s not about offending anyone, it’s more about the fact that Christmas isn’t the focus of my month in December, and I just don’t think about it that much (beyond the annoyance of retail traffic and all-Christmas-all-the-time radio stations).

    But, I wish you all good cheer (nothing wrong with that, right?) and a happy New Year!

  • http://cuteellaisbold.wordpress.com Cute~Ella

    I use Happy Holidays unless I know which one they celebrate only because I too was burned back in retail work with the wrong one.

    Whatever. I don’t send out Christmas Cards either. I send New Years! Ha take that!

  • http://www.kicknknit.com kicknknit

    I don’t celebrate Christmas and I used to get all twitchy when people would ASSUME that I do.. but they also assume that I’m straight and want babies. So I got over it.

    People make assumptions about a lot of things. Personally, I say happy holidays UNLESS I know the person celebrates Christmas. But I also tell my boss to have a Happy Hanukkah and wish a Blessed Yule to my pagan friends.

    What tickes me the freak off is people SHOVING Christmas at me and telling me that I’m RUINING their Christmas for not celebrating it.

  • Maureen

    Thank you SK!!!

    And Merry Christmas everyone!

  • Francine

    I always say Merry Christmas!

  • http://jtcvoice@vpweb.com sassy tess

    i agree with the idea if someone wishes happiness or jolly merriment…”wow! thanks!”

    i’ll share a story a bit more pointed. while in FYE one christmas holiday time buying a cd of “seasonal” music. the clerk went
    “Christmas Pfffst” under his breath”
    “excuse me?” i inquired with a smile.

    “Virgin birth he said. It’s ridiculous. you can’t have a baby without sex…just not gonna happen”
    i didn’t know if i should laugh or call him jerk.

    “now eight days of oil from one days one days worth, that’s a miracle”

    you may think that he was being ficetious(sp) but judging by the “oh, no here he goes again” cringe on his co-worker’s face, this was apprently his schtick.

    I paused for a moment and said “yes, that is quite a miracle, God can do wonderful things. why not just appreciate that he can and not judge my miracle as less important than yours.” and added “merry Christmas” (because let’s face it, i’m sassy) he actually laughed and sadded “Happy Hannekah”

    just assume good will and offer the greeting of your choice. if the recipient doesn’t appreciate it they’re probably just a GRINCH anyway.

  • HomeTownGirl

    Kevin,
    I don’t know if you should print this out of respect for the actual family….but take a look at today’s obituaries. Santa Claus’ grandmother passed away. Her name was Marjorie (who knew) and if you read down it says she is survived by her grandchildren…Santa is the name of one. THEN it says that the memorial service will be postponed until Spring (well of course it is, this is the family’s busiest time of year). I know this poor woman passed away but I about peed myself when I read this today !!! Wanted to share with you cause I know you have a great sense of humor. Oh, and Merry Christmas!!

  • http://www.starsdaisiesandbutterflies.blogspot.com April

    Well said! And, Merry Christmas! :-)

  • ScubaSteve

    I say “Merry Christmas” because most of the people I know celebrate Christmas. I don’t get offended by “Happy Holidays” and I use that when greeting someone I know who doesn’t celebrate Christmas. The one thing that does bother me a little though is “Xmas”. I know that happens more in writing, but what is that? If you choose to go the Christmas route, make sure to keep “Christ” in “Christmas”.

  • ellie

    I have the opposite problem. Many people assume I’m Jewish. It gets to be odd and sometimes annoying when wished a happy and specific yet incorrect holiday. Since I am polite and understand the good natured intent I simply w ish them a happy holiday back.

  • Emily Lee

    Say “Happy Holidays” Just face it ALOT of people do not celebrate Christmas.

    It is the celebration of the birth of Christ and everyone is not Christian.

  • Craig B.

    I will never understand why people get so bent about that. I don’t get bent when religious people say “god bless you” or anything, it is just a pleasantry. So essentially you are getting upset that someone is greeting you.

    This is how these conversations should go
    Me: “Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/God Bless You”
    Them: “I am angry”
    Me: “On second thought, G#YS”

  • LM

    I was raised with people who celebrated Christian and Jewish holidays. I grew up in a very interesting neighborhood (no complaints). NO ONE CARED if you got it wrong. Now, oddballs have surfaced and people have gone WEIRD. I would rather say what’s appropriate (when I know), but now I worry about freaky people and cave in: Happy Holidays!

  • Andrea

    Never fails – I usually say/write Happy Holidays but I inevitably slip and utter Merry Christmas to one person. That person is, without fail, agnostic, Mormon or Jewish.

  • iknowtruthismine

    As a true heathen, I say either “Merry Glutmas” in the spirit of the cras commercialism of the season, or ” Happy god/Human hybrid abomination day” in celebration of the absurd notion that such an event would occur if in fact an unlikely god creature was to exist at all. Tis the season to abandon reason, after all.

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      Groan.

      Guys, in case you didn’t know, “iknowtruthismine” is an Atheist.

      Hey, if I throw a parade for you, will you stop reminding everyone every five minutes? I’m friends with a Catholic Priest and a Reverend and combined they don’t reassure me of their faith nearly as often as you need to reassure us of your lack thereof.

      I know you think you’re “raising awareness” or advocating or whatever, but you’re not and you rarely bring anything substantial to the conversation. In this and a handful of other instances I’ve seen from you lately, you’re just being a d-bag. Enough already! We get it!

      Don’t worry, I’m still going to allow your comments. I just wanted to confirm that nagging suspicion you have that you might not be as clever as you think you are.

      Oh, and Merry Christmas.

      (disclaimer: I’m also an Atheist)

  • Sharkles

    Like some others above, I mostly say “happy holidays” since I don’t know what everyone celebrates. I also like that this greeting includes the New Year.

    I worked in retail for awhile, and figured this was the best way to be polite to everyone. However, I received many lectures from people who were offended by me not wishing them a “Merry Christmas.” Hint: the grocery store clerk doesn’t care what kind of holiday you celebrate, they are just being nice.

  • http://advantagesound.blogspot.com Andy M.

    I’m usually diplomatic and say “Happy whatever you’re having,” which pretty much covers all the bases. If pressed, however, I would go with Justagirl #4 because of the literal (American) translation of the word holiday.

  • http://jtcvoice@vpweb.com sassy tess

    kevin,
    you are the nicest, most socially conscious atheist i know. (and my sister thinks so, too) ggod bless you;)
    tess

  • suzi

    If you believe in Christ do not be embarrassed.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! If you don’t like it, go back where you came from.

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      suzi – No need for that.

  • GenWar

    I think it is a symptom of the overall embracing of the ‘political correct’ philosophy that some aspects of our society has done. Given the combination of polite manners, the proliferation of litigation over personal offenses and the timeless and general fear of getting one’s ass kicked, society has started trying to block or limit ‘inappropriate’ or ‘unprofessional’ conversation in non-specific, non-familiar human interactions.

    For example, I will declare that I love strippers in many, many public contexts, including at dinner parties or in casual conversation with people I’ve only just met. I do not discuss it at work or professional events, not because I am ashamed of my love of strippers but because it is mostly agreed upon that it is not appropriate. Some (lately, it seems like more and more) people would say that I should keep my love of strippers to myself in all contexts, except those specifically related to strippers (ie, in strip clubs). They frown or shake their heads when I mention it in polite company. If I take them to task, they are usually unwilling to outline WHY it should not be discussed, just saying that it’s not ‘right.’ They’ll point out that someone might be offended, though they can’t explain why a general, non-pointed statement can directly offend someone. Occasionally, someone will say that they believe that patronizing strippers in a sin, but that’s more and more rare, as people are afraid of being offensive for mentioning their religious beliefs. It’s all just out of hand.

    Everyone is so deathly afraid of offending someone and thusly wants to be political correct all the time. What happened to the time honored combination of communication and respect? Why can’t we just have:

    Co-worker 1: Hey, co-worker 2, that dress makes your body look amazing!
    Co-worker 2: Thanks, but I, personally, don’t think it’s cool for you to mention it. I mean, I obviously wore the dress to that point, but I’d just appreciate it if you didn’t discuss it with me.
    Co-worker 1: oh…sorry. not a problem, I won’t mention it again.

    Personally, I don’t think our society could allow for this interaction without freaking out. And I hate that about our society. And I think this is just an overstated extreme example of the same thought process that leads one to be offended by ‘Merry Christmas.’

    And, let’s face it, ‘Christmas’ as it is today, is so far removed from religion that it seems silly to take religious offense. Are you really going to translate ‘Merry Christmas’ into ‘I really hope that you have taken Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, lest you burn eternally in hell? Really?

  • Reverend Alan Rudnick
  • http://www.kicknknit.com kicknknit

    ScubaSteve, the X in Xmas is actually a representation of Christ.

    http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/christianholidays/f/Xmas.htm

    http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/xmasabbr.asp

    But I suppose I can see where it’s annoying to see it in print.

  • Ski

    The Boy gives me a hard time on this fact. As you know, a big part of my job in the winter time is escorting people through Lights in the Park. There’s visits from Santa and we sing Christmas Carols all the way through. I still was given a hard time from him when I wished my guests a Merry Christmas when they left. Sigh.

    I cover both bases now and end my work day with, “Merry Christmas and have a happy holiday!”

    Frankly, I couldn’t care less what people say to me.

  • Kimberly

    I grew up in the south – the bible belt actually – so “merry christmas” was the thing to say. I had never even met a jewish person until I moved up here. Said merry christmas and was yelled at for it. I now say happy holidays to incorporate all, but even if you celebrate none, I still want that day to be happy for you too, holiday or not.

  • Nina Marinello

    The other day at a shopping plaza I saw a woman I know. Since I know she is Jewish I yelled “Have a Happy Holiday” and she returned a “Merry Christmas” to me (I am catholic). Mutual respect is a beautiful thing!

  • http://jtcvoice@vpweb.com sassy tess

    gee, suzi…where did they come from that you want hem to go back to?…Jesus was a Jew who welcomed Samaritans and gentiles…be nice it is Christmas after all.

  • http://www.kicknknit.com kicknknit

    Suzi,

    I came from NYS.. where should I go back to?

  • randal

    That isn’t Suzi’s point, to go back…if people do not like Merry Christmas they just need to get over it. I don’t get offended if someone wishes me a Happy Hanuakah

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      randal – “go back where you came from” is insulting and ignorant no matter what the point was.

  • dismall

    I am agnostic and celabrate Christmas for the commercialism and tradition. I say Happy Christmas. If you get offended by it, that’s on you.

  • http://www.kicknknit.com kicknknit

    Actually, what I took away from Suzi’s post was that if I was born and raised an American Citizen, then I must be a Christian. And if I don’t believe in Christ then I’m “not from around here” and not welcome.

    Seems to me that was the point.

    But, I do agree that if someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, if it’s meant to wish me good will, then that’s fine.

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      Perhaps she meant you should go back to where your ancestors came from, which means that we all should take a trip to the Fertile Crescent.

  • EZ

    Week in Review:
    It is not OK to say you don’t care if someone is gay when discussing why you are in favor of repealing DADT, because you are not taking enough consideration for the persons individual choice.
    It is OK to not care how you address the season with someone, regardless of their individual backgrounds.

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      EZ – They’re two entirely differnet things we’re talking about here.

      Also: apples are apples, but oranges are oranges.

      Also Part 2: it’s not a “choice”, but that’s a whole other can of worms.

  • http://www.kicknknit.com kicknknit

    Quote:”Are you really going to translate ‘Merry Christmas’ into ‘I really hope that you have taken Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, lest you burn eternally in hell? Really?”

    oh, so you’ve met some of my relatives. LOL!

    Genwar, I totally agree.

  • jakester

    If I know the person isn’t Christian, I may say Happy Holidays, 99.9% of the time I say Merry Christmas, simply because regardless of what religion you are you can celebrate Christmas, Santa or whatever.

    People don’t walk around with a big sign on their chest saying I’m this or that, and they should be more tolerant and friendly than some are. To them I don’t want to say Happy or Merry anything…

  • Hopeful

    As a Salvation Army bell ringer, I say “Enjoy your holiday” up until Christmas Eve. Then I say, “Merry Christmas”. But I really don’t care what other people think. I love baby Jesus as a burrito!

  • Tobi Walsh

    Great post, Kevin! I laughed so hard when I read this! :D

    People get so sensitive around the holidays! Nobody wants to offend anyone. Dude, just say “Merry Christmas” and be done with it. Don’t be like, “Oh! Happy Holidays…I don’t know what you celebrate!” I just find that more awkward.

    But what bothers me the most is when people call Christmas a “Christian” holiday. Christmas is TOTALLY not about Jesus anymore, but the money! I know a lot of my fellow “Cristians” would disagree, but it’s the truth!

  • Sunshine

    I think that when people get angry about being wished a Merry Christmas when they do not observe the holiday, it’s not about tolerance or friendliness.

    For those of us who don’t celebrate Christmas, the month of December can be a very harsh time of year. We’re bombarded with stuff for a month or more that celebrates and glorifies a holiday that we don’t care about. For me, it makes me feel sad and left out. I have no issue with other people celebrating Christmas, of course, and I get that retailers (and pretty much anyone else) who can make a buck from it will milk that for all it’s worth. I don’t blame them for that. However, as much as I may try to ignore it and just live my life, it’s nearly impossible to do so.

    Please don’t say that I can celebrate Christmas if I want to. Really? No. I would never tell you that if you feel guilty about something, you should observe Yom Kippur to repent for your sins. So, don’t tell me that I should celebrate Christmas so that I can feel merry and cheery – it’s not part of my tradition or culture and I don’t care about it, except for trying to avoid it.

    I’ve never berated anyone for telling me Merry Christmas, but if someone does say something to you, try to be sensitive to the fact that perhaps all the Christmas hoopla is really tough for some people to handle. Unlike any other American holiday, unless you are going to crawl into a cave for a month, there is no way to escape it.

    If you’re the cashier at CVS and someone’s buying Christmas wrapping paper and cards, then go ahead and wish him/her a Merry Christmas. That’s probably pretty safe. But, if the person is buying toothpaste and toilet paper, maybe just say “thank you, have a nice day”, instead.

  • JN

    @4: My sentiments exactly. And as someone who worked retail for many years, I got flack from both sides for saying Happy Holidays. Geez people, can’t we just enjoy the season of Holy Days without getting all up in arms about it?
    Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men (and women)!

  • PaulB

    I usually say either “Happy Christmas” or “Merry Holidays”, and then watch the gears shift in their heads.

  • Anne

    Sunshine, what a great answer! and I totally agree!

    I tend to say Happy Holidays to strangers and say Merry Christmas to those I know are Christian. I am actually more offended by people who know I am Jewish who wish me a Merry Christmas.

    I remember several years ago, I had wished a coworker a Happy Easter. He knew I was Jewish and said…what should I say to you? I said how about Have a good weekend?? Worked for us!!

  • Michelle

    I say Happy Holidays because I sincerely want to wish everyone, whatever religion or belief a happy holiday.. Whats so wrong with that ?? Im catholic and i dont get mad if someone says happy holidays, Merry Christmas or Happy Festivus.. Who cares is right.

  • Apathetic

    One of my friends dated a woman who told him that “Christmas, like the Bible, was nothing but a bunch of fairy tales and he was a fool to believe in them.” Then was really angry with him when he did not give her anything for Christmas b/c he did not want to offend her.

    People like this have polarized the Christmas season for me. Is Christmas a Christian holiday….Absolutely. Am I sensitive to people who do not celebrate the Holiday…The best that I can. All I ask is for the same sensitivity in return.

  • Cihan

    I go with Happy Holidays if I’m the one starting the conversation.

    Not only am I not religious, I wasn’t raised with Christianity either (I know a lot of atheists are raised in that kind of culture, so the Merry Christmas sticks), so I don’t have any affinity for the holiday. I do give gifts around this time of the year, and I wish whoever a happy whatever it is holiday they’re celebrating, if I know which holiday it is that they’re celebrating. If someone random wishes me a Happy whatever, I’ll just reply with the same.

  • Labrot and Graham

    In my experience my Jewish friends are not offended when I say Merry Christmas to them. In fact, I will get a text or two on Christmas from non-Christians wishing me a Merry Christmas. What should I say back? “Happy Saturday where you eat Chinese food and go to a movie”? Just yesterday I was wished a Merry Christmas by a woman at a Japanese restaurant who already told me she does not celebrate Christmas, but has a gift exchange with friends and family. Should I have said, “Have fun working on Saturday!” back to her? The day is Christmas. The traditions are different, but most people have a tradition for this particular day. In the immediate run-up to the day, I have no problem saying “Merry Christmas” to just about anyone if I am looking for a nice pleasantry. Now when you are saying it to everyone you meet between black Friday and Valentine’s day, that’s a different story.

  • http://blog.timesunion.com/localmusic/category/andrew-gregory Andrew Gregory

    Merry Christmas! And Happy Holidays to you All!

    Kevin, I think some of the Cap Con blog commenters got lost and ended up here. They need to go back to where they came from! ;)

  • sassytess

    think you hit a nerve with this one, kev.
    mondo comments!!!!!
    congrats on a great blog!
    now go back where you came from…Troy?

  • Gman

    Sometimes I just go completely bananas and say, “Have a bitchen solsticial observation of your choice!”

  • Eihcir

    I agree with Sue. We need to keep Festivus alive, thank you to Seinfeld.At the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year.
    So by the way Happy Festivus for the rest of us. And, by the way, your meatloaf is dry, your eggs are runny, and your caserolle is a DISGRACE TO THIS HOUSE!!

  • Jerry

    Merry Christmas! The end.

  • http://www.indiealbany.com Roz

    Oh PLEASE!

    I was an atheist for a long time and I never got my panties in a bunch when someone wished me a Merry Christmas. At the time, I didn’t believe in God but I never saw the harm in someone saying “Merry Christmas.” No one was forcing me to believe in anything or to attend church. I avoided religious arguments with those who held strong Christian beliefs.

    I can’t get over the modern, almost militant atheists of today who make such a big freaking deal out of it. Is anyone threatening to harm you for not being a Christian? Then calm yourself down.

    I swear, if anyone is fool enough to give me grief because I wish him/her a Merry Christmas, I guarantee that they won’t like the next thing I’ll say.

  • blueballs

    I’m Roman Catholic…..Happy Holidays for me.

    Have any of you Catholics complaining ever been wished a Happy Hanukkah? Let me know how that works out for you.

  • Baker Fan

    So after scanning most of this what I take away from it is that those who feel apprehensive to wish others Merry Christmas for fear of offending them are right. Jewish people are offended by it.

    Our community would be so much better off if the sentiment with which any greeting/salutation is delivered were appreciated. But I am not going to hold my breath.

    Merry Christmas to all.

  • your sister

    Just so we’re straight, we should care if someone’s gay but we shouldn’t care if someone’s a Christian? How about if it’s a gay Christian, do I care or not care? If you want to preach tolerance and respect, I’m all for it. Now how about some tolerance for those celebrating the birth of Jesus? If you don’t want people to “ignore” the fact that someone is gay, then I would hope that you wouldn’t ignore the fact that someone is Christian. I say “Happy Hanukkah” to my Jewish friends and they, in turn, wish me “Merry Christmas”. Do I become enraged if someone at a store says “Happy Holidays”? Of course not. However, those who know I’m Christian should have enough respect to say “Merry Christmas”. I stood next to you as your recited religious rites to become Godfather to one of our nieces. You are, in the eyes of the Church, responsible for her spiritual guidance as a Christian. I can’t speak for her parents, but as her Godmother I hope people wish her a Merry Christmas, and I hope you “give a what”. I want her to grow up with a clear understanding that the Miracle of Christmas isn’t a reference to a movie about the Santa Claus at Macy’s. So “who gives a what?” Your sisters and parents. Merry Christmas, Stach.

  • your sister

    P.S. Eventually “Holiday” will be considered offensive to non-believers (Holy Day). I suggest you be proactive and change the spelling to “Holla-Day”. Then you can just yell “Holla” at everyone throughout the season.

  • The Obvious

    Merry Christmas

  • skfl

    Happy Holidays.

  • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

    my sister – Already addressed it, but those are two entirely different issues with absolutely no link or relevance to each other. One is asking whether consideration should be paid to saying we don’t want to acknowledge that a person is gay; in this case the issue is that people are arguing over two phrases that mean the exact same thing.

    Again, apples and oranges.

    Also, at no point did I say I don’t care if someone’s Christian, so your whole point there is entirely moot.

  • Labrot and Graham

    The more I think about it, the more I realize that I enjoy it when people give a pleasant greeting of their own holidays or languages to me – whether it’s “cheers,” “slainte,” “nazdorov’ya,” “mazel tov,” “l’chaim,” “asalamalakum” or so many other words/terms/phrases that are designed to be pleasantries. It should be all about the spirit of how someone says whatever they say. When someone working in a store says “Merry Christmas” in the same robotic, bored and forced tone they say “have a nice day” the rest of the year, it loses it’s meaning.

  • Kristin

    I say Merry Christmas or Have a happy Christmas.

  • stemie

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

  • jakester

    blueballs, not quite the same… when a good portion of the world celebrates Sanata claus not just the birth of Jesus. And as a Catholic, I wouldn’t be offended at all by any one of any religion greeting my with happy wishes as I have done to them.

    What gets me is people who are offended by people wishing them happiness… I guess the bes tway to think about it is, you cna’t make everyone happy so don’t worry about a few downers. It’s when the downers try to force THEIR feelings on everyone else that it becomes troublesome. 99% of the population is more friendly, open and happy this time of year. Why NOT try and find somethijng to be happy about even if your life is not going too great, a stranger greeting you with a smile and a happy thought/greeting shouldn’t be somehting to
    complain about.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone !!!
    Happy Holidays to one and all…

  • Sweetness

    I am a catholic, so I say Merry Christmas. Everyone says it from their personal point of view (not YOURS, but THEIR), so whatever someone says to me I take in stride. Want to wish me a Happy Hanukkah? Fantastic! I understand that you mean “have a great holiday” or “have a great month of December”. What is all the fuss about? Why are we so easily offended in this country? We sound like a bunch of babies… WAH WAH WAH! Is what someone else wishes you going to change your religion and point of view? OF COURSE NOT!!!
    STOP BEING SO SENSITIVE YOU POLITICALLY CORRECT FREAKS!
    And Merry F-ing Christmas too!

  • Selma

    I just have to chime in. I am a Christian, yes I love Jesus. I say Merry Christmas. To my Jewish Friends around Hanakkuh(Sp?), I say Happy Hanakkuh(sp?), to people who may not believe in anything, I still say Merry Christmas. People get way to offended now a days, trust me, being a Christian you get TONS of flack from people too.
    However, I want to say something about the store clerks. Christians, Jews, Athiests, it doesnt really matter, can’t we just all be a bit NICER to these people??? Chances are the grocery store clerk, dollar store cashier, Macy’s employees, Wal Mart greeter, DO NOT want to be there around Christmas time as it is, chances are they have the same problems as you and me. I dont care if you are Christian and they wish a Happy Festivus, or an Athiest and Wish you a Merry Christmas, that is not reason to LASH out at them!!! I worked in retail way back when I was in highschool, many people in retail are making minimum wage, or are kids just trying to get by. Many time they may not even get a lunch or dinner break cause this time of year is so hectic. You would not believe the number of people who blame them for their worlds problems!! Many crabby people come along in a days worth so,
    With that said, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and try to treat the people behind the counter this time of year with some dignity and respect.
    Thanks, and thats my rant for the day!! (-:

  • Jim

    Merry Christmas of course…Those of you who feel its NOT the right thing to say…Too bad…Get over it…Its been that way for ever til all these “special” interests groups come up with yet one more thing they want to change…I’ll never forget the day a women came i to the office and complained about the Christmas music and the sign that said Merry Christmas. She demanded it come down…Guess what? I’m still playing Christmas music and my Merry Christmas sign goes up every year. So to all you Happy Holiday people….MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! And Ho! Ho! Ho!

  • Cihan

    Jim, what next, you’re going to scream about how we’re a “Christian nation” and that everyone who doesn’t like it should go back where they came from? You clearly miss the point.

  • Ace

    @Jim
    Oh man Jim, I’m sure glad you didn’t forget the day a “women” came “i to” the office. I guess you showed her, huh? What a patriot!

    @Cihan
    Dude, don’t bother. Jim is clearly still living (ignorantly) in the 1950′s.

  • dgc

    Cihan, 78% of the population in the United States practices some form of Christianity. We are predominately a “nation of Christians”. However, since our government is secular, we are not a “Christian nation”. There is a difference.

    Happy Holidays! :)

  • Cihan

    dgc

    I am quite aware that there is a difference between the two. However, reading Jim’s comment most certainly alludes to the latter, not the former. I say this because apparently legitimate existing religious minorities in this country are seen as “Special Interest Groups” in Jim’s mind.

  • dgc

    Cihan, I think Jim was “alluding” to the fact that we still have freedom of speech and religion in this country, and no one has the right to “demand” he stop practicing either…but, if you wish to interpret it as he is in some way insulting legitimate existing religious minorities and the US is a “Christian Nation”, I think you’re extrapolating just a little bit too far.

  • iknowtruthismine

    Kevin (In Response to comment #27)- We live in a world where religionists not only evangelize, but insist that they are driven to do so by their god creatures. Some religions manifest this characteristic more than others, and some do so at the threat of death (try being a Christian Iraqi in Iraq), and some do so almost not at all (Jewish, but they have a nation state and nuclear weapons, which raises a number of other issues). Many people who have come to the rational position still think that religion should be treated the way we have been conditioned (on the surface anyway) by treating other religions with seeming respect, so that they will reciprocate in kind. We know how that works, with absolutists in all religious traditions condemning those who don’t see things in just the “proper” way, to various forms of eternal suffering at the hands of their seemingly vane vindictive deities. This being the fate they subscribe to for other co-religionists, it is safe to assume that they pretty much have heathens written off the list of those who could possibly get into their made-up eternal Disneyland. To them, those who having no superstitional belief at all, should just shut up and let things go on the way they always have, which is little comfort considering the torture and murder carried out against slight deviants from doctrine in the past, let alone those who, if critical of all religion, soon found their way to some fiery stake or hangman’s noose. We have, for the first time in history, the opportunity to give voice to the rational side of reality, but the impetus is for us to remain silent (respectful, if you will) so as not to offend, until the next rise of absolutism (that is only one cataclysm away), when victims will need to be identified and blamed for the disaster. We see now how slight deviancy in matters of politics has some on the far right already screaming for the blood of heretics to their narrow doctrine , and we are not so far away from the most barbaric treatment that man has had for man over such things, that we cannot fall into it again.

    Eighty years ago the Jews of Germany were driven into silence either by flight or denial, and finally the camps. Atheists are just now making their presence known in the world of ideas, after having to exist in the shadows and should not be scolded, or shamed, back into silence while the voices of absurdity are given free-range. Yes, I am an Atheist, and I will not sit at the back of any ecclesiastical bus that is taking society on a bogus ride. The religionists are going full bore to silence any voice that challenges what they perceive to be the natural and absolute order, so I am puzzled why someone who would identify themselves as an Atheist, would join the effort to silence a message that up until recently, if spoken, could have resulted in one’s death.

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      Okay, but none of that explains why you’re always on the attack. Speaking up against oppression is not equitable to being insulting, rude, and issuing unwarranted ad hominem attacks on a faith. It’s more along the lines of us having a discussion about cheese and someone storming in to tell us that we’re going to burn in Hell.

      In other words, you’d have a point if there was a discussion going on about how evil Atheists are; but that wasn’t happening. Nobody was evangelizing. You just wanted to shoe-horn your anger into yet another thread, and you did so, and were called out on it. No amount of text can rationalize that.

      “Eighty years ago the Jews in Germany…”

      Oh brother. No, no, no. Do not do that ever. That’s repulsive.

  • iknowtruthismine

    Gee Kevin, a thread about how we greet people during a holiday that not only glorifies and reinforces unlikely god concepts and the even more unlikely notion that if a god existed, that it would form a god/Human hybrid creature, and you expect an Atheist to conform to the silly notion that that sort of nonsense should go unchallenged? I would expect that attitude from a Liz Lemery Joy type character, who would make it illegal to commit such horrible act, if given half a chance, but not from someone who professes to be an Atheist. It is far past when we, as a species, should have evolved beyond the need for such crutches that often lead to persecution based on rubbish, with an unwritten code of behavior that closes off the discussion and does nothing but further strengthen the institutions of delusional belief. It is high time when we should be facing our problems without the dead albatross of religion hanging around our necks, inhibiting our ability to deal with our mounting problems in a rational, innovative and timely manner.

    I make no apologies for getting in the face of religion. After all, they don’t seem to have any problem knocking on my door, advertising on TV, accosting me on the street, trying to determine what goes on in my bed-room (evidently god is a universe spanning, omnipresent, all knowing entity, that has a deep and personal interest in our sex lives), flying airplanes into sky-scrapers, and forcing women to breed against their will, so if you don’t mind, I’ll just keep getting in their face until we can develop a stigma against such arcane and infantile beliefs and finally rid ourselves of the only reason I could think of for an advanced extraterrestrial species to eradicate us before we spread.

    You don’t even have to post this, because it won’t have any positive effect on the already delusional corrupted, but you should think about what it means in a world where your actions further the spread and eventual dominance of institutions that don’t care about this life, fully expect the world to end in fire, and who are now in possession of the very tools (weapons) to make their end-time prophesies come true, all because I break a religious friendly politeness taboo.

    • http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/ Kevin Marshall

      http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/files/2011/01/violin1-300x225.jpg

      Who’s evangelizing again?