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[TeamPooka]

This message was self-deleted by its author (TeamPooka) on Fri Dec 5, 2014, 01:27 PM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Dawson Leery]

1. +1,000,000,000,000

[Nye Bevan]

2. .

Last edited Fri Dec 5, 2014, 04:44 PM - Edit history (1)

BTW I stole this from DUer ProdigalJunkMail

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5913909

[Quackers]

4. Love it!

[Lars39]

5. Coercive behavior is never a good intention.

[HappyMe]

6. Exactly.

One of the reasons I sometimes hated cashiering/retail was people with an ax to grind. I don't make enough money to have to deal with this crap at work.

[Journeyman]

8. Wish more knew the value of such good wishes . . .

[bravenak]

9. I agree.

I'm a black atheist and I just smile and say, 'same to you'. Have bigger problems than people being nice to me.

[Enrique]

40. bigger problems than people being nice to me

i like that

[cwydro]

44. Perfect post. nt

[SickOfTheOnePct]

12. Love this

"Thank you! You too!"

It really is that simple.

[Albertoo]

16. As a strong atheist, can't agree with the diagram more

[RoccoR5955]

81. But I am offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas.

I don't believe in Christ or Mass, and feel offended.
That's why I say, "Happy Festivus for the rest of us."

[Comrade Grumpy]

86. Maybe you could recalibrate your offenseometer.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

20. Yep...

even if they're being self-righteous a-holes just saying this back to them is all you need to do. but some people have to have their stories to tell on the Intertubes to impress everyone...

sP

[Tree-Hugger]

32. +8 billion nt

[hrmjustin]

45. Good post.

[underpants]

51. Uh, Festivus?

You forgot that one

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

61. Thanks for this!

[bobclark86]

68. AAAAAAAAAnd

straight to Facebook it goes. Thanks for stealing it so I could steal it, too!

[BeyondGeography]

3. Happy Holidays would have sufficed

But then you wouldn't have had that precious in-your-face moment to share on the Internet.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

10. +100000000000000000

[IdaBriggs]

13. Or gotten the chance to provide an educational moment for the cashier.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas. "Happy Holidays" is courteous. The OP provided a gentle reminder of that.

[HappyMe]

33. Isn't that precious - an educational moment!

Really? How about 'make a minimum wage worker feel condescended to, while wasting her damn time'.

[randome]

37. Yeah.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]If you don't give yourself the same benefit of a doubt you'd give anyone else, you're cheating someone.[/center][/font][hr]

[liberalhistorian]

59. Maybe the OP felt condescended to?

And how, exactly, was it wasting the cashier's time? Not everyone celebrates Christmas and people shouldn't assume everyone else is in the majority.

OTOH, the cashier was very likely just following orders from above. Having once worked retail, I know that practically our every movement in dealing with the public is scripted. At least it was where I work. We were told what to say when first dealing with the customer and what to say at the end.

[HappyMe]

64. No, I would imagine that the worker felt condescended to.

Well, standing there in front of me waiting for some pc revelation IS wasting my time - especially if there is a line.

Honestly, I don't make enough money to worry if somebody's feeling are hurt. I'm at the point where I smile, say 'thank you' and hand people their change and purchases. This way, I don't screw up and ruin somebody's life by saying 'Merry Christmas'.

Working retail/cashiering is incredibly stressful at this time of year.

[randome]

74. When someone says "Have a good day", do you think they really give a damn?

I doubt anyone is 'assuming' anything from wishing someone a Merry Christmas.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen, Anthem (1992)[/center][/font][hr]

[IdaBriggs]

76. Well, you are definitely the expert on condescension....

So I will defer to your expertise on the subject.

[HappyMe]

80. Oh my!

You sure told me!

Making a minimum wage worker feel like crap is condescending.

[Igel]

78. Not everybody has a holiday this time of year.

"Happy holidays!" versus "Merry Xmas!"?

Meh. One's more generic and calculated not to offend, but it's not always a good calculation. And bowdlerizes what the well-wisher actually feels.



I'd prefer people just wish me what they'd like me to have, even if I keep neither Kwanzaa nor Xmas, Hannukah (which is usually over before Xmas anyway, not designed as a handy Xmas substitute), New Year's or whatever else. Whatever they wish, I usually just return, "Same to you" with as pleasant a voice as I can muster.

[RedCappedBandit]

15. Why would happy holidays suffice where happy hanukkah would not?

[BeyondGeography]

17. I dunno...Ask the OP why that was his nicey-nice response

[RedCappedBandit]

19. Would the happy holidays logic extend to the person who initiated the exchange?

[BeyondGeography]

22. Get your facts straight

This wasn't a "person" It was a full-on Fox News Fundy Christmas Crusader.

[RedCappedBandit]

26. lol

i'm just wondering why merry christmas is innocuous but happy hanukkah isn't

i don't find either to be particularly offensive but this thread is interesting

[Skittles]

34. I hear you

I don't care what people say, but it's hilarious how "Merry Christmas" is pure but any other greeting in response is malicious

[BeyondGeography]

39. That's your wrongheaded takeaway?

The kid, or whomever she is, got denominational with her good wishes. Most people are saying it's a very minor screw-up and not worth making her feel she did anything wrong.

The end.

[RedCappedBandit]

48. Isn't it sad that

responding to a greeting by saying "Happy Hanukkah" would make a person feel bad? Seems odd to me. If people who don't celebrate christmas should be grateful when people wish them a merry christmas, the same should be true for the response. I realize that wasn't the intent the OP had in mind but it's an interesting discussion to me.

[BeyondGeography]

52. i think we need to hear more from Pooka on this crucial matter

Pooka, get back here! Why was this person so obviously a Fox News Fundy? Was it the Glenn Beck t-shirt? The Church of Our Most Precious Blood baseball cap? Did this even happen? Inquiring minds want to know.

[NCTraveler]

7. It's that time of year again.

Where all of the liberal warriors have their "I was in line at the grocery" moment. It always works out so perfect. Amazing how many adult cashiers have their aha moment at the hands of offended duers.

[RandiFan1290]

11. Has your pal Rush read any of your posts on the show lately?

[NCTraveler]

23. Not sure. Don't listen to him. nt.

[Skittles]

14. love the passive-agressive way you accuse the OP of being a liar

as if no clerk EVER says "Merry Christmas"

[NCTraveler]

24. "as if no clerk EVER says "Merry Christmas""

Not sure where I came even close to saying that. You are correct about my post being passive aggressive. I don't deny that. Just as your reply wasn't base on anything I said. Job well done.

[Skittles]

25. are you or are you not accusing the OP of being a liar?

[truebrit71]

35. Then why the fuck are you here?

If the "liberal warriors" piss you off so much???

Seems like you're in the wrong place? No?

[TeamPooka]

73. This. nt

[KamaAina]

18. Why not mix it up a little bit?

"Happy Kwanzaa!" "Blessed Yule!"

[Ykcutnek]

21. ...

[obnoxiousdrunk]

27. I hope you RE Ok...

[cwydro]

28. I just don't get offended

when people wish me happy anything.

[cordelia]

47. As simple as this.

I wish you well.

[yeoman6987]

29. Really? Just say thank you.

I am having a neighborhood Christmas party as I am new to the neighborhood and went around the neighborhood inviting people. One door I knocked on said, oh I can't go. I said, what? Will have to change the day or postpone it. We both laughed. She said I am Jewish. I said oh...well come anyway all the neighbors will be there. She said what time does it start? I said 5 and she said well I can't get there until sundown as I will be at Temple. I said no biggies we will have plenty of food and drink waiting for you. She smiled and said she would go. If you are kind and nice. You end up with what you want. Be rude and you'll never be happy. I am one happy person and the 13th will be a blast! I bet a million I can ensure my neighbor will have the best time at a Christmas party ever!!!!

[randome]

30. To be honest, I think that's kind of childish.

You're using your religion -or professed religion- to divide people, which is what religion does best. If someone says 'Merry Christmas', you should politely return the good wishes, IMO.

Anything else, and you are simply looking to offend someone. Well, you got your wish this time. Congratulations.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]If you don't give yourself the same benefit of a doubt you'd give anyone else, you're cheating someone.[/center][/font][hr]

[WillowTree]

31. I always find these re tellings of confrontational responses so sad.

I wish people a Merry Christmas all the time. It makes no difference to me if the other person is Christian or Buddhist or Muslim or Jewish or atheist or agnostic or whatever. I still hope that they will be happy on December 25th. I wish them the joy of my holiday whether they celebrate it or not.

My best friend is Jewish and I am Catholic. We both wish each other Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah. And I wish her L'Shana Tovah and she wishes me Happy Easter etc.

How sad that some people have to go looking for negativity in someone wishing them well.

[Hatchling]

36. I know those who have a true spirit during these holidays.

It's those who smile back at me when I answer "and a Merry Solstice to you!"

My two friends and I celebrate 'Solhanamas' together. We respect each others beliefs.

[randome]

38. And if you don't know someone else's beliefs, should you impose them on that person?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]If you don't give yourself the same benefit of a doubt you'd give anyone else, you're cheating someone.[/center][/font][hr]

[RedCappedBandit]

42. I don't understand.

How is it that if you choose to respond to a season's greeting with an alternate one, you're imposing your beliefs on them, but that isn't the case for the person initiating the exchange?

[randome]

43. Technically, you're right, there is no difference.

But the one initiating the exchange should not be responded to in what is, in essence, "Sorry, no. How about this instead?"

To me, it smacks of rudeness. I'm sure if the OP was in Israel, he would be shouting "Merry Christmas!" during Hanukkah just to see who he could rile?

No. He wouldn't.

What's next? If you sneeze and someone says, "Bless you", you'll start an hour-long monologue on the pointlessness of religion and/or blessings?

I have nothing but contempt for all religions but I won't deny the generous spirit that some take away from it.

And like it or not, Christmas is inextricably linked to Christianity. At least in America.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]“If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.”
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]

[RedCappedBandit]

46. I wouldn't mind a thoughtful discussion about how weird "bless you" is, actually.

I hear you though.

I think it's a touch rude either way. I don't see why it's so unreasonable to just say "season's greetings" or "happy holidays" to be inclusive instead. I also think it's sad and does say something a bit more meaningful that a person would feel bad if someone responded to 'merry christmas' with another sort of greeting.

[randome]

49. Yeah, that clerk probably should have expected a few 'oddball replies' once in a while.

And not batted an eyelash.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen, Anthem (1992)[/center][/font][hr]

[RedCappedBandit]

53. FWIW I agree with your general perspective

I just think it makes for somewhat interesting discussion.

[randome]

75. It does.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen, Anthem (1992)[/center][/font][hr]

[Enrique]

41. the proper response

is "I don't drink with you".

[bravenak]

66. You made me laugh for the past five minutes straight.

I loved that.

[TeamPooka]

72. LOL

[gollygee]

79. ROFL

[gollygee]

83. Newer DU'ers deserve to understand this joke

It will all become clear here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5330132

[hrmjustin]

50. Sounds like she needs to get over it. BTW I say Merry Christmas and I am not a fox type. n/t.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

54. I'm curious as to why

saying "Merry Christmas" means that someone is a "FoxNews/War on Christmas type".

I tell people Merry Christmas all the time, and I don't watch Fox News.

[Drunken Irishman]

55. You sure showed them!

[cwydro]

56. Congratulations grinch.

You probably added to the stress I this retail worker's life.

Merry Christmas!

[JaneyVee]

58. But...Hannukah is upon us.

Or should Jews just suck it up for living in a Christian Nation?

[olddots]

57. you're lucky they didn't ask you to buy an extended warranty

Nobody utters any greetings correct or incorrect here is La La Land ?

[951-Riverside]

60. Whenever someone says "Merry Christmas" to me I want to knock their teeth in

[ProdigalJunkMail]

70. well then MERRY CHRISTMAS! n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

82. MERRY CHRISTMAS from 909-Big Bear Lake!

I have a couple teeth the dentist was going to pull anyway... maybe you could save me a few bucks.

I'll be at Chad's tonight at around 5, helping this weekend's band set up their equipment. Just ask Robin the Bartender or Bob the Owner where Bobby is. I'll be sitting at the bar with glasses on.

After you're finished with my teeth, I'll buy you a cocktail or two for saving me money.

For good measure... MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS!

[GummyBearz]

62. Thats it?

You should have punched that clerk strait in the jaw, shouted over his crumpled body at the top of your lungs that you are not a christian, then kicked him in the head for good measure before filing a civil rights lawsuit for that blasphemous use of freedom of speech he clearly is abusing... do it right next time or don't bother posting about it.

[bobclark86]

67. Lol...

Thank God I was between sips of coffee when I read this...

[HappyMe]

69. lol!

Damn, that's funny.

[LanternWaste]

65. Indeed... it's that time of year in which humanity's petulance is freely given and exchanged.

Indeed... it's that time of year in which humanity's petulance is freely given and exchanged so we may all feel somewhat more self-validated in regards to our own biases by poking others in the eye, and using the classic follow up "they did too!"

I hope someone stomped their feet while the other held their breath. That would have been the penultimate act of seasonal charity and overlooking petty grievances, too!

[leftynyc]

71. If it's someone I know and

am sure they aren't trying the make a stupid point but just trying to share the season, I say Merry Christmas. But retailers have no fucking idea what religion I am and are in sales so if they say Merry Christmas, I always say Happy Hanukkah (I am Jewish).

[RoccoR5955]

77. I generally reply.

"Happy Festivus, for the rest of us!"

[ileus]

84. I always say merry winter solstice.

[Sherman A1]

85. I go with

Happy Rock Salt............