How do you feel when you hear "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas?"

[BurtWorm]

Poll question: How do you feel when you hear "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas?"

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceblogs/pharyngula/~3/U1Dg3S9es6I/the_war_on_christmas_will_be_w.php

It's telling that kooks like Bill O'Reilly can turn purple with rage if you say "happy holidays" to them, seeing affront in friendliness. You know, It doesn't matter — so why do we need a poll to find out if some jerks want to dictate how you say hello?

How do you feel when you hear "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas?"

I prefer it 21%
I don't care much either way 34%
It bothers me 45%

I suggest that everyone who is offended by being told either "happy holidays" or "merry christmas" should start wearing a little sign so we know not to hurt their delicate little feelings by using the wrong salutation. Instead, we'd greet them by thrusting a middle finger up at them and shouting, "Up yours!"

[old mark]

1. I really don't care - My wife is Jewish,and I hear that a lot from her relatives -

I'm just happy someone has wished me well.

mark

[monmouth]

2. My exact thoughts. That someone wishes me any kind of joy or

happiness is kindness and I appreciate it.

[Raschel]

46. Agree!

[old mark]

52. Makes a nice change from road rage and general assholishness

we see most of the time...


Happy Holidays!

mark

[killbotfactory]

3. Anyone who gets upset by it is insane.

And should seek professional help.

[Kalyke]

33. Or a dictionary.

Holidays is a shortened version of "holy days." Don't these idiots think that Jesus' (celebrated-not actual) birthday is a holy day? :eyes:

[flvegan]

4. Thrilled just knowing another shot is fired in the ongoing War On Christmas!

[gkhouston]

5. It's inaccurate. Behavioral observation indicates that a more appropriate greeting

would be, "Merry Christmas, and get the hell out of my way!"

[blondeatlast]

9. There ya go. nt

[TlalocW]

6. Toot my horn (or writing skills)

http://colddaypontooning.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-you-douche.html

TlalocW

[Codeine]

7. Yay, the War on Christmas bullshit is back for another year!

:puke:

[BurtWorm]

11. Merry War on Christmas!

:woohoo:

[Dr Fate]

17. I think next year we should have a war on "Holiday" too.

All part of our Liberal plan to extinguish any celebration all together! ;)

[BurtWorm]

25. Happy day.

[Renew Deal]

51. lol

Don't act like you don't enjoy it. :D

[Wounded Bear]

8. Other....

Rather like I've struck a blow in the "War on Christmas."

:)

[Dr Fate]

10. I prefer: "Happy War on Christmas!" n/t

n/t

[louis-t]

12. My response to my crazy aunt who was sure Democrats just

invented an idea to outlaw Christmas and force everyone to say Happy Holidays? 1962, Andy Griffith Show, the end of the episode, camera draws back to show a huge sign on the front of the courthouse that says: "Happy Holidays"

[Dr Fate]

16. How about the classic carol "Happy Holidays." Bing Crosby, 1942.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=happy+holidays+bing+crosby&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Yeah, and we all know how much Bing hated Christmas.

I dont really care- but I agree with you that the RWs are being silly about this...AGAIN.

[Warren DeMontague]

49. Andy Griffith was a commie.

He and Barney had a big statue of Khruschev hidden behind Aunt Bee's garage.

[DFab420]

13. 6 of 1, half dozen of another

If I know the person I am talking to celebrates Christmas I'll wish them Merry Christmas, if it's one of my Jewish friends I wish them Joyous Kwanza just to be annoying haha.


No but seriously, the winter holidays are about, at least for me, peace and love, so as long as we keep that in mind, what does it matter how we express it..

Happy Festivus!

[Zoeisright]

14. I once got a comment on my website about this - some moron was upset about

"happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". I deleted the post, but what I wanted to say is "get a life, you pathetic little bigot."

[Poboy]

15. What find really annoying is the lack of thinking involved.

They'll get all out-of-sorts if shops/stores do not say and display 'Merry Christmas'.
So really, they are getting pissed off at not commodifying and exploiting their savior's birth.

Early Christians didn't celebrate this. In this country,Puritans for example, did not do it either.
I think we all know the real origins as well (winter solstice celebration cooption).

So, they are completely ignorant or deny the truth, and insist on bullying people into celebrating the commodification of a supposidly spiritual/religious holiday.

DUMBASSES.

[OHdem10]

18. Since I qrew up in a time and place here in the USA where I

was taught that it was respectful to say Happy Holidays
to my Jewish acquaintances and friends and Merry Christmas
to everyone else, I have no problem with either.

[Enrique]

19. I load my guns to defend Christmas

;-)

[Dulcinea]

20. Who cares?

It's the yearly distraction from real societal problems.

If I know someone celebrates Christmas, I wish them a Merry Christmas.

If I'm not sure, I say, "Enjoy your holiday!"

SFW?

[Dappleganger]

21. I'm christian, doesn't bother me what people say...

because christians have successfully turned it into Retail Shopping Season all on our own.

[Matariki]

22. lol

great post.

[cbdo2007]

23. I would rather no one say anything. I don't need a store giving me a salutation.

They aren't my friends, it's just a place I go to spend money, many times not even for holiday purchases even in December. They should just say "Thank you, have a great day." Otherwise they should just leave me alone.

[Arugula Latte]

24. I think it's presumptuous to wish somebody "Merry Christmas"

but at the same time it's not the biggest burning issue on the planet

[CLANG]

26. Other: Let's toast to the winter solstice !

[justiceischeap]

27. Other: Rather not hear anything at all (eom)

[MattyGroves]

28. I don't really care either way

but it does amuse me that some people do to the point where a "Happy Holidays" gets them bent out of shape.

[earth mom]

29. We should all start saying Happy WhatTheFuckEver. O'Lielly & his whackjob fundies can Suck It!

:evilgrin:

[pipi_k]

30. The Christmas Kapusta....

and pierogi and fried fish and all the other goodies my son and his wife serve up on Christmas Eve....

ummmmm.....


It was a serious battle between that choice and "I don't care either way"...

:+

[GoCubsGo]

60. Thanks for making me really jealous!

:-)

My aunt's father-in-law made the best kapusta. How I miss it! How I miss good Polish food PERIOD. What I wouldn't give for a nice hunk of kiszka right now. All we have down here are mass-marketed, mediocre, frozen pierogis and mass-marketed, mediocre kielbasa.

I had a three-way battle, myself. Kapusta...kittens...I don't care either way...tough choice.

[Initech]

31. It doesn't bother me at all.

[eShirl]

32. Let's bring back "waes hael" and "drinc hael."

Wassail comes from the Old English words waes hael, which means "be well," "be hale," or "good health." A strong, hot drink (usually a mixture of ale, honey, and spices) would be put in a large bowl, and the host would lift it and greet his companions with "waes hael," to which they would reply "drinc hael," which meant "drink and be well." Over the centuries some non-alcoholic versions of wassail evolved. http://historymedren.about.com/od/dailylifesociety/a/xmas_traditions.htm


http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/wassail_song-1.htm

1. Here we come a wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wandering
So fair to be seen.

Chorus
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year.
And God send you a happy New Year.

2. Our wassail cup is made
Of the rosemary tree,
And so is your beer
Of the best barley. Chorus

3. We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbours' children
Whom you have seen before. Chorus

4. Good Master and good Mistress,
As you sit by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Are wandering in the mire. Chorus

5. We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;1
We want some of your small change
To line it well within. Chorus

6. Call up the Butler of this house,
Put on his golden ring;
Let him bring us a glass of beer,
And the better we shall sing. Chorus

7. Bring us out a table,
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a mouldy cheese,
And some of your Christmas loaf. Chorus

8. God bless the Master of this house,
Likewise the Mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go. Chorus

[hunter]

34. Eh, who cares? A "Fuck You" from Burger King is the best.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=9554128&mesg_id=9554128

[AmandaMae]

35. I'm an atheist but I don't really care.

[BurtWorm]

37. I'm with you.

How do you feel when you hear Merry Christmas, though? It used to be totally fine with me, but now I wonder sometimes if there's an agenda behind it. Depending who says it and how.

[blondeatlast]

57. I think that's exactly what the uber-fauxlly wanted. What used to be a

sweet, mindless, friendly gesture has turned into a politically charged mess.

People who previously weren't offended by either greeting, regardless of which side of the belief fence they are on, now think about it--and that poor, befuddled, overworked, Target clerk has to be ever so careful with what used to be just a breezy, not quite automatic, but well-intentioned good wish.

I worked retail for many years before the WoXmas was declared. At the time, I wished my customers Happy Holidays, even though I am a Xtian. Now, I find out my former employer INSISTS on Merry Christmas.

Ridiculous.

:banghead:

[KT2000]

36. It shows respect

for the fact that not everyoone is a Christian. I really appreciate that.

[WolverineDG]

38. other: not this shit again nt

[rug]

39. As enraged when I hear people say Goodbye.

[slackmaster]

40. I'm just glad that someone cares enough to say something nice to me

:shrug:

[The Straight Story]

41. Same as if someone wishes me a happy hannukah - I get mad, scared, feel pressured

and run screaming through the streets "KILL IT, KILL IT WITH FIRE"

:rofl:

[Lucian]

42. I feel nothing at all.

[TwilightGardener]

43. Like somebody's peeing on my Christmas tree while baby Jesus cries!

Happy Holidays is fine.

[BurtWorm]

48. Damn! I forgot that option!

:applause:

[LeftishBrit]

44. Couldn't care less...

It's not common in England, where 'holidays' usually means 'vacation' - but I have no problem with it, either way. For that matter, for most Brits 'Merry Christmas' has little or no religious connotation.

Either is better than the very common greetings, already in November: "So are you *ready* for Christmas?" or "Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?"

[Gold Metal Flake]

45. I scream "Seasons greetings, motherfucker!" and kick them in the TSA inspection zone.

Edit: motherfucking apostrophe fucking with me.

[Warren DeMontague]

47. If people get angered hearing "Happy Holidays", they need to be on medication.

Seriously. Take a long look in the mirror, because there's someone there with a MAJOR FUCKING PROBLEM.

[cleanhippie]

50. I always just say "Merry Xmas!"

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

53. The whole silly controversy makes me think of the scene

in Peter Pan where Tinker Bell is sort of flickering out, and all the children are urged to clap their hands if they believe in fairies so Tinker Bell won't die. So if you don't say Merry Christmas, will Jesus go *poof* because not enough people overtly display their belief in him? Ask the Merry Christmas fanatics if their God is so weak and feeble that he requires regular public displays of belief by lots of people in order to continue to exist. Ask them if they would still believe if nobody ever said Merry Christmas again. Is their belief system so insecure that they require constant affirmation from the rest of the world?

[petronius]

54. I don't care. Whatever people say, it's just another empty pleasantry to mumble

a response to as I try to go about my business.

The people who actually bring joy to my holidays (or any days) do so without any formulaic recitation...

[Dorian Gray]

55. I'm thankful

that someone is being nice and wishing me a happy holiday. I don't care how they say it. If someone wished me a Happy Ramadan, I'd be fine. (No, I don't celebrate Ramadan.) I don't get why anybody would get up in arms about any nice type of greeting. It's stupid.

[immoderate]

56. I feel "happy" as opposed to "merry."

I always do what I'm told.

--imm

[ibegurpard]

58. going to say it this Christmas to everyone who tells me "have a blessed day"

on the phone.

[Raine]

59. Happy or Merry I don't care. I'm just glad to get a pleasant

greeting and take it in the spirit it's intended. I have more important things in my life to be concerned about. People who get bent out of shape over this one way or the other are lucky because they must have an uncomplicated life without real problems in it. I envy them and wish my life was that simple and easy.

[Liberal_in_LA]

61. don't care either way

[BlueGirlRedState]

62. I just wish I wouldn't hear either for a couple more weeks

What's the big rush? Let's enjoy Thanksgiving without Christmas carols and twinkly lights.