General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Cashiers angrily told me "Merry Christmas" in a smug and self righteous way [View all]DFW
(60,212 posts)Europe isn't hung up on this issue.
I don't know if anyone here remembers who Father Divine was (good piece of American history to check out), but his organization still owned some property in Philadelphia when I was going to college there. My two roommates and I often ate there, since it was good food and within all our budgets (my two roommates, friends from my senior year of high school, were ghetto guys on full scholarships, and not exactly swimming in it). The women (only women) working in the restaurant there were somewhat elderly, and always said "thank you father and mother." There was always a place set at the head of one table in case Father Divine decided to pay a visit from the hereafter, and was hungry.
Anyway, if you think that people saying Merry Christmas is a little off, try hearing "thank you father and mother" while keeping a straight face.