Saturday, December 17, 2005

The War On Words

Yes, the media is covering it pretty well. Stores everywhere are saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." And there are times when I entirely agree that changing the names of things from Christmas tree to holiday tree is as insane as changing the Macy's Thanksgiving's Day Parade to Macy's Holiday Parade. Ok, maybe that's giving some people at the ACLU ideas.

But, I also believe in saying Happy Holidays. If you don't think that you will talk to that person until next year, you may also want to wish them a Happy New Year. I also don't know how many people reading my blog are Jewish. I'd love to wish them Happy Chanukah (had to actually look up the spelling.) Isn't it as unjust to not wish it to them but wish for everyone to say Merry Christmas? Sure, I feel we may be overly sensitive to these things and a lawsuit probably isn't too far off for being wished something that you don't want. But, if you really do want to wish well to others no matter what faith or holiday being celebrated, I feel no shame in saying Happy Holidays.

11 comments:

David Amulet said...

Well said. I have no problem with people saying any of these phrases -- or not saying them. There are mutliple holidays this time of year, so "happy holidays" is a perfectly appropriate thing to say.

-- david

Bar L. said...

I agree completely. I've been saying happy holidays for years.

Anonymous said...

I usually reply to what is said to me. They say 'happy holidays', I say it back. They say 'merry Christmas', I say it back. But that is with the strangers. I wait to give the appropriate greeting and response. With people I know really well, friends and family, I know whether they're Christians, Jews, or they just don't care for religion at all. Then I initiate the well wishing - also appropriate to the individual.

The one thing that I find funny, is people who insist in 'boycotting' or protesting outside department stores because of an advertising campaign. It isn't like these protesters are gonna be setting up their trees, or mangers, or religious studies at the department store on the day of the holiday. Come on, it's a department store *rolling eyes* Since when has shopping become a RELIGIOUS part of a Christian holiday??

Sorry, I rambled...and I'm sleepy.

Merry Christmas :)

Teri said...

I hate political correctness sometimes. Being a teacher I am always walking on eggshells about this. I had a winter party in my classroom yesterday instead of a holiday party because I have students who are Jehova's Witness, and what do you know they were absent anyway.

What are they thinking calling it a holiday tree? That is just plain stupid. I do not have a problem saying happy holidays, because I think it is a nice word that sums up, enjoy the season, whatever you celebrate.

thc said...

Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Yeah I guess they didn't watch enough of those stupid, but adorable cartoons when they were young. "Come on Rudolph, full power..."

Beth said...

Happy holidays!

RT said...

Ah, but then "Happy Holidays!" takes christ away from the christians (or is it out of christmas? I don't know, it's something like that), and they will be offended!

Seriously, I didn't even realize that there was a problem until the faces on the TV screen told me that I should be pissed if someone wishes me anything other than exactly what I want to hear... Before I learnt better, I just figured it was the thought that counted... I'm so naive.

LoraLoo said...

I have no trouble respecting how others celebrate the holiday season, and whatever it is that they call it. I just can't believe this is even newsworthy, and that people are actually pissed off about the word "Christmas". Now that's a bad sign - it's supposed to be one of the happiest words in the world, isn't it?

Oh, wait, should I say that? I could get sued.

Ken said...

I agree. This political correctness thing has gone too far. I usually say happy holidays or "have a nice holiday" to folks I don't know. I try to say the appropriate things to the appropriate people.

Unknown said...

happy holidays is fine..holiday tree is not. its an xmas tree dammit. :P