General Discussion

brokechris

(192 posts)

213. Where I come from in the US

Reply to iwillalwayswonderwhy (Original post)

Tue Dec 11, 2012, 01:14 PM

Dec 2012

people rarely say "Merry Christmas" it is almost always "Happy Holidays" (I grew up very close to a large Jewish community so my area was about 40% Jewish).

When I lived in the UK, one of the men that I worked with (a Muslim man from Iran) came up to me as we were leaving for the winter break and shyly (he didn't speak often) wished me "Happy Christmas". He had assumed that I was Christian (I'm not religious) and wanted to wish me a good one. Made me feel really good that someone was so nice and generous.

When someone says it--I just say "thank you". Don't drive yourself crazy trying to psycho analyze their motives. Most check out clerks don't actually give 2 seconds worth of thought to you--unless you stood out as an exceptional asshole. Most customer service people don't go around openly insulting customers because they know it is bad business. If you feel someone is TRULY horrible to you--complain to their manager. But you better have a little something better than this.

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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