General Discussion

Wait Wut

(8,492 posts)

14. I've had customers say it like it was a threat.

Reply to iwillalwayswonderwhy (Original post)

Mon Dec 10, 2012, 02:15 PM

Dec 2012

One, a few years ago, kept insisting that I 'could say it' and he wouldn't tell my boss. I told him the boss respects my choice to say 'happy holidays' since I'm not a Christian. Guy got all confused. Asked if I was Jewish.

One woman literally screamed it in my face. Scared the hell outta me. She had that wild-eyed GOP woman look in her eyes.

I'm never rude. I'll say, 'same to you' or 'happy holidays'...and mean it. I doubt many of the people yelling it at me really want me to have a merry anything. They're just trying to prove a point. Sad.

Damn...good note that I forgot: I think it was last year a customer said 'Merry Christmas' to me and I smiled and said, 'same to you'. They then caught site of my pendant (it's really tiny and most think it's a Star of David) and said, "I mean...Happy Solstice!"

I almost broke down in damned tears.

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I got my first "Merry Christmas" said to me yesterday [View all] iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 OP

Maybe she was just tired, had sore feet, and was sick of saying "Merry Christmas" The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2012 #1

The store had just opened iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #3

My, aren't you the party. zappaman Dec 2012 #5

I always return a greeting iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #7

Nonetheless, if you respond as if it's a greeting, you win. SharonAnn Dec 2012 #17

Chip on your shoulder, perhaps? Bake Dec 2012 #45

Mamby Pamby much? tsuki Dec 2012 #144

I think that was a 'wish', not a greeting. trof Dec 2012 #154

Sure the store had just opened WolverineDG Dec 2012 #15

Precisely Sherman A1 Dec 2012 #129

OR maybe the poster knows what she was seeing and it WAS confrontational. Squinch Dec 2012 #134

Did you follow her to work? Renew Deal Dec 2012 #74

Well, that's what you say. Tommy_Carcetti Dec 2012 #193

Amen to that! amandabeech Dec 2012 #240

All I can say is this was no greeting iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #6

I know what you're talking about. Mariana Dec 2012 #26

This situation worth more than just a post on a random message board on the Intertubes--- snooper2 Dec 2012 #68

Only me!! janlyn Dec 2012 #2

Ah, so you know what I mean. iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #4

Or we could just all be assholes. Fawke Em Dec 2012 #103

I've never seen this myself sharp_stick Dec 2012 #8

I've had people saying both Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to me gollygee Dec 2012 #9

Relax! Big Blue Marble Dec 2012 #10

I wish I could convey how confrontational she was iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #13

I hope you do not either. Big Blue Marble Dec 2012 #81

You certainly are getting a lot of snark about this! Squinch Dec 2012 #137

Stand your ground for Christmas! BanzaiBonnie Dec 2012 #178

Confrontational? Seriously? leftynyc Dec 2012 #172

I understand how you feel truebluegreen Dec 2012 #206

Yep. I agree. The Wielding Truth Dec 2012 #77

"A soft answer turneth away wrath." The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2012 #11

Amen! Faux has amped up it's "war on Christmas" again. MissMarple Dec 2012 #135

A simple "Thank you" Sophiegirl Dec 2012 #12

Or perhaps a simple "fuck you" was in order. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #121

Neither was I, but Sophiegirl's suggestion remains the more useful of the two responses. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2012 #132

Useful? cleanhippie Dec 2012 #165

So says the oppresor. aandegoons Dec 2012 #169

I'm with you! Everyone is assuming the poster was being hypersensitive, though she was there and Squinch Dec 2012 #138

That's partly because the OP doesn't make sense... demwing Dec 2012 #181

Either one is possible, and there is a movement out there to defend Christmas in an imaginary war. Squinch Dec 2012 #230

You weren't there either, so how do YOU know what may have sufficed? You don't. cordelia Dec 2012 #162

Never said I did. But thanks for underscoring my point. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #166

I've had customers say it like it was a threat. Wait Wut Dec 2012 #14

It does seem like some are saying it with more hostility these days liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #18

Living in a red state it would be fun to avebury Dec 2012 #20

Wait...someone wished you a Merry Christmas demwing Dec 2012 #16

+ Infinity Octafish Dec 2012 #19

+1 n/t FSogol Dec 2012 #21

Try living in the belt buckle of the bible belt avebury Dec 2012 #23

I've lived extensively in the Northeast and the deep south. cbayer Dec 2012 #30

a seasonal greeting can be used to force religion down your throat liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #35

How? cbayer Dec 2012 #36

By turning it into an aggressive challenge Occulus Dec 2012 #38

What would lead someone to know that this cbayer Dec 2012 #44

My husband experienced a hostile Merry Christmas a few days ago liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #51

How did he know it was hostile and why would the sender know that there was cbayer Dec 2012 #54

an earlier post said it best liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #43

This is all rubbish. cbayer Dec 2012 #49

well only the person who is receiving the greeting is there in person to know liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #60

Well, there is also the person sending it who may not be thinking of the recipient at all. cbayer Dec 2012 #64

it is also possible they were just being hostile and rude liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #67

See, here is where I get stuck. cbayer Dec 2012 #69

There are also those leftynyc Dec 2012 #174

+1 Sherman A1 Dec 2012 #131

You've nailed it treestar Dec 2012 #187

Various types of holiday greetings including avebury Dec 2012 #70

That's what bothers me as well. cbayer Dec 2012 #71

That's the REAL War On Christmas, if you ask me... regnaD kciN Dec 2012 #120

Ever wondered to yourself why do you live there? Great Caesars Ghost Dec 2012 #57

Every day! avebury Dec 2012 #63

If I had the money, I buy you a house in Oregon. LOL Great Caesars Ghost Dec 2012 #66

+1 cbayer Dec 2012 #28

+1 leftstreet Dec 2012 #102

+1 tell it how it is. nt rDigital Dec 2012 #124

"You have First World Problem issues..." WilliamPitt Dec 2012 #22

+one brazillion regnaD kciN Dec 2012 #114

+1 cbayer Dec 2012 #27

No iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #29

Were they delivering it to everyone in a confrontational manner or just you? cbayer Dec 2012 #72

Isn't possible you misunderstood? demwing Dec 2012 #92

Or maybe she works for a boss..... llmart Dec 2012 #161

Isn't it possible she didn't misunderstand? Squinch Dec 2012 #232

Yes, it's absolutely possible demwing Dec 2012 #233

We really don't know, do we? Squinch Dec 2012 #235

There's "Merry Christmas" and there's "Merry (F-ing) Christmas" lolly Dec 2012 #148

yeah, I don't what the OP is complaining about njcamden_25884 Dec 2012 #39

How about "Merry Christmas" in a tone of voice that didn't convey the message-- eridani Dec 2012 #173

Wow, we went from "defiant" and "without smiling" demwing Dec 2012 #180

Can we give du kicks to individual replies? Report1212 Dec 2012 #59

Wait, someone posted a story about a personal experience, and you didn't pay attention to the detail cleanhippie Dec 2012 #122

We'll have to give the OP what she couldn't give the bagger demwing Dec 2012 #179

Again, you seem so entrenched in your position that you are unable to empathize with the OP. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #189

Aw chuck it, that won't hurt my feel goods demwing Dec 2012 #234

Could have fooled me. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #245

This message was self-deleted by its author demwing Dec 2012 #246

despite the open door, I wont take the easy joke demwing Dec 2012 #248

With respect to giving the OP the benefit of the doubt: I'd say that ship has sailed on this thread Squinch Dec 2012 #231

I'm willing demwing Dec 2012 #237

I was not WHAT was said, it was how it was delivered. Canuckistanian Dec 2012 #133

But the case outlined in the OP appears to be different. cbayer Dec 2012 #136

For real. pecwae Dec 2012 #175

You've missed the point treestar Dec 2012 #183

Absolutely did not miss the point demwing Dec 2012 #208

"I was walking me dog, and this bloke, he comes to me and says, "Nice day, innit?" didact Dec 2012 #223

Alexei Sayle from "The Young Ones"! jaded_old_cynic Dec 2012 #225

Nice catch! Yep. I loved it too! didact Dec 2012 #250

The villain! nt Romulox Dec 2012 #24

I hate it when service minions don't smile at me. Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #25

Oh get over yourself iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #32

So you had been chatting and suddenly... zappaman Dec 2012 #34

We need to start a nationwide campaign to get that woman fired...! regnaD kciN Dec 2012 #112

That really is weird ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2012 #53

I always look them in the eye, give them my brightest smile & respond, CrispyQ Dec 2012 #31

I'll give that a try if it happens again. iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #33

Why be sad at someone so ignorant? Trailrider1951 Dec 2012 #37

So saying "Merry Christmas" is now ignorant? zappaman Dec 2012 #40

Merry Christmas pintobean Dec 2012 #41

ALERTING. How DARE you. That is COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR. Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #62

Time for a tombstoning!!! regnaD kciN Dec 2012 #115

I know a condescending smiley when I see one. NCTraveler Dec 2012 #85

Oh you're F'd now, PB!! ; ). Merry Christmas to you as well! nt rDigital Dec 2012 #125

So defiant demwing Dec 2012 #256

If people's holiday mercuryblues Dec 2012 #42

You obviously cannot just SAY leftynyc Dec 2012 #176

Trash Thread is my friend. GoneOffShore Dec 2012 #46

There is nothing wrong with someone wishing you a Merry Christmas standingtall Dec 2012 #47

Or, maybe the poster isn't being a jerk, and the woman was truly hostile. We don't know. Squinch Dec 2012 #141

According to the poster etherealtruth Dec 2012 #145

And yet, of all the people posting here, she is the one who is best able to judge the intent. Squinch Dec 2012 #147

The person that said: Merry Christmas is the only one that actually know her intent etherealtruth Dec 2012 #149

And of all the people posting here, the OPer is in the best position to interpret what that was. Squinch Dec 2012 #150

Hahaha etherealtruth Dec 2012 #151

Happy Holidays should be used with strangers treestar Dec 2012 #186

Good grief, Charlie Brown! Bake Dec 2012 #48

Just get naked and break out some Pagan dance moves next time former-republican Dec 2012 #50

too funny dlwickham Dec 2012 #58

It is a sad world indeed when someone wishes another to have a merry Christmas Bok_Tukalo Dec 2012 #52

If she was a typical wing nut.... bongbong Dec 2012 #55

Merry Christmas, BB. : ). nt rDigital Dec 2012 #127

maybe you should have stuck your tongue out dlwickham Dec 2012 #56

I've had one or two people over the years do the same LibertyLover Dec 2012 #61

people seem to think this kind of hostility is an impossibility liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #65

They're full of shit. Mariana Dec 2012 #75

This. geardaddy Dec 2012 #96

Really, I am starting to feel extremely fortunate that I have never been a victim Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #100

Dos adra. geardaddy Dec 2012 #106

I have a feeling the problem is with you Renew Deal Dec 2012 #73

Then you'd be wrong nt iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #87

Not from what I've seen in this thread nt regnaD kciN Dec 2012 #116

+1 for being right! n/t zappaman Dec 2012 #91

But you don't really know, do you, since you weren't there. And what if you're wrong? Squinch Dec 2012 #142

I have long since found that the best way to deal SheilaT Dec 2012 #76

"Smile and say thank you". Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #78

I think the OP was probably just rendered speechless Mariana Dec 2012 #79

Which is, in my opinion, all the more reason to be SheilaT Dec 2012 #82

I'm sure if it happens again to the OP Mariana Dec 2012 #84

"Merry Christmas," he snarled n/t eridani Dec 2012 #177

Reminds me of something that happened at an event at our kid's elementary school event ... JoePhilly Dec 2012 #80

Some of the kids who would recite the Pledge Mariana Dec 2012 #83

Exactly. The people doing it are basically trying to invoke a reaction. JoePhilly Dec 2012 #88

And if someone does call them out, well, Mariana Dec 2012 #94

Actually, I suspect that if you call out some of those who are trying to invoke a response JoePhilly Dec 2012 #97

Seriously. I'm finding this response perplexing. Squinch Dec 2012 #143

They're skimming through the OP lolly Dec 2012 #163

I think you're right. Which means, sadly, many here will experience it too. Squinch Dec 2012 #229

You are in for a long and sad Christmas season. nt. NCTraveler Dec 2012 #86

Only because there are those that, like you, seem empty of empathy. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #123

People who freak out at a holiday greeting Union Scribe Dec 2012 #157

And on we move to what you think people need. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #215

pot/kettle demwing Dec 2012 #249

Do you talk just to hear yourself speak? cleanhippie Dec 2012 #251

In fact, I post for your benefit demwing Dec 2012 #255

I make the holidays so tough for everyone. NCTraveler Dec 2012 #200

Great! Then you understand the POV of the OP and can empathize with her situation. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #216

What was that "point". NCTraveler Dec 2012 #222

Maybe all the check-out employees are required to use that specific phrase instead of Happy Holidays We People Dec 2012 #89

I always respond one word "Jewish" Kurska Dec 2012 #90

"Generally it shuts them up". Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #99

You should have said... geardaddy Dec 2012 #93

I attended a Hanukkah celebration last night sarisataka Dec 2012 #95

Merry Christmas doesn't bother me. musical_soul Dec 2012 #98

The greeting isn't the problem lolly Dec 2012 #164

Same here deutsey Dec 2012 #226

You shoulda punched her! Union Scribe Dec 2012 #101

I got one yesterday, too. cordelia Dec 2012 #104

I had something like that last year... Javaman Dec 2012 #105

That seems rather odd... regnaD kciN Dec 2012 #119

I know, that's what confused me most about her crazy-ness. Javaman Dec 2012 #126

Oh big deal, people complain about the littlest things Ter Dec 2012 #107

Was it the MC in particular that offended you, or the 'tude? Xipe Totec Dec 2012 #108

Merry Christmas does not bother me iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #110

I'm wondering why the person chose to give a Christian greeting in such an unkind way Xipe Totec Dec 2012 #111

many people don't view "Merry Christmas" as a Christian Greeting JI7 Dec 2012 #128

Doesn't Bother me and i'm an atheist, why not respond with "happy holidays" JI7 Dec 2012 #109

I'm a lapsed Catholic. My son is an Atheist Xipe Totec Dec 2012 #113

maybe not but you never know what the person JI7 Dec 2012 #117

Maybe. You're right. We'll never know. nt Xipe Totec Dec 2012 #118

And people here eyeroll at the things Republicans get offended at. Oy. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2012 #130

Point taken etherealtruth Dec 2012 #146

Smiling people get "And happy new year to you, too!" from me Warpy Dec 2012 #139

Thank you iwillalwayswonderwhy Dec 2012 #152

I've had this happen. Dash87 Dec 2012 #140

I once said it reflexively -- and only later did I realize I said it to a Jewish lady! mainer Dec 2012 #153

Just like when Christ defiantly blurted "Peace be with you!" Beartracks Dec 2012 #155

Would make me sad, also? onpatrol98 Dec 2012 #156

"She said it with a defiant look in her eyes and she wasn't smiling." rug Dec 2012 #158

It's taken less to convince you of more outlandish claims... cleanhippie Dec 2012 #167

I suppose a"defiant look" is another way of knowing. rug Dec 2012 #188

Ask humblebum about that. He is the expert on other ways of knowing. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #190

Neither. I am skeptical of inferences drawn from "looks". rug Dec 2012 #195

And that is a good trait, but it is, in a way, an "other way of knowing." cleanhippie Dec 2012 #197

Other than what? rug Dec 2012 #198

Again, ask humblebum. This is his area of expertise. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #199

Frankly, I rarely follow those exchanges you have with him on this topic. rug Dec 2012 #201

Then stop throwing straw and inform yourself so as to further the discussion. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #202

I'm not throwing straw. rug Dec 2012 #203

You are right, and I will. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #214

! beam me up scottie Dec 2012 #194

Merry Christmas! rug Dec 2012 #196

Gesundheit! beam me up scottie Dec 2012 #209

I've seen this take place. JNelson6563 Dec 2012 #159

Both you and your husband frogmarch Dec 2012 #160

Maybe she came off as hostile & "defiant" because the store makes her say it day after day. Perhaps Raine Dec 2012 #168

Most of the bible has been turned into a weapon. aandegoons Dec 2012 #170

best response: xmas74 Dec 2012 #171

Communication: 80% Body Language; 15% Tone & 5% Actual Words. IdaBriggs Dec 2012 #182

I have a relative who can't shut up about this crap, either treestar Dec 2012 #184

Some people can make "Merry Christmas" sound like a threat. Jokerman Dec 2012 #185

Oooookay........ Tommy_Carcetti Dec 2012 #191

Christmas with mr. bmus' relatives is like guerrilla warfare. beam me up scottie Dec 2012 #192

Yeah, but she obviously wasn't a TRUE Christian. mr blur Dec 2012 #204

You really showed her OP!!!! ForgoTheConsequence Dec 2012 #205

Oh dear. JoeyT Dec 2012 #207

"Bill O'Reilly would be right at home in this thread." beam me up scottie Dec 2012 #211

Indeed, he would be. As he would be right at home in Religion, too. cleanhippie Dec 2012 #218

^^^THIS^^^ cleanhippie Dec 2012 #217

So? Hosnon Dec 2012 #210

You are taking a lot of grief in this thread, but I can confirm that something Sheldon Cooper Dec 2012 #212

Where I come from in the US brokechris Dec 2012 #213

For those here who... TDale313 Dec 2012 #219

Exactly TDale wendylaroux Dec 2012 #227

I always reply to everyone with a hearty "Happy Chaka Kahn to you!" cleanhippie Dec 2012 #220

That's pretty good. Ikonoklast Dec 2012 #224

Anyone know a Klingon Holiday greeting? beam me up scottie Dec 2012 #221

Quch QI'lop! sakabatou Dec 2012 #238

Thank you thank you thank you, that is so FREAKIN' AWESOME! beam me up scottie Dec 2012 #239

Not sure... ANYONE KNOW? sakabatou Dec 2012 #241

The response to such "greetings" is easy. Scootaloo Dec 2012 #228

But... it isn't Christmas... weird sakabatou Dec 2012 #236

it is convention to say Merry Christmas during the brokechris Dec 2012 #242

It doesn't piss me off either sakabatou Dec 2012 #243

just wanted to make sure people knew that "Christmas" does brokechris Dec 2012 #244

I've never been offended union_maid Dec 2012 #247

"And Turbineguy Dec 2012 #252

People are really making it an issue this year Aerows Dec 2012 #253

I just say thank you and move along. There were a couple of stores here where the employees were RKP5637 Dec 2012 #254

Whew! Just came from an appointment downtown. cordelia Dec 2012 #257

You were just lucky today. pecwae Dec 2012 #258

Just say, "A joyous Kwanzaa to you too." BanTheGOP Dec 2012 #259

How about businesses that put up Christmas Trees or decorations? Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #260

Actually, here they are called "Holiday trees" unless specifically titled as such BanTheGOP Dec 2012 #261