Despite the fact that the main event this month, and the reason for most of the extra commerce, is Christmas, usually business people I interact with will bid me "Happy Holiday" - at Target, at the medical supply store, on the phone with the bank. I always reply to this generic greeting with a pleasant "Merry Christmas." And nine times out of ten, they respond to me with, "Merry Christmas." And it always pleases me. It's like I've given them permission to greet me as they might have preferred in the first place. And it's always a nice ending to a conversation.
I've usually gotten the same delighted response.
But if I detect that the person is using the phrase, "happy holidays" to be deliberately PC or to avoid "Christmas", I respond with a hearty, "yes indeed, happy holy days to you"! (emphasis on "holy"). It let's them know that "holidays" is no less religious a term.
Posted by: Eric Peterman | December 11, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I do the same thing, Melinda, and I also find that most people say "Merry Christmas" back with a big smile. Even my Jewish friends!
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: deborah | December 11, 2007 at 05:52 PM
HAha, I thought I would be the first to echo the sentiment, but I get the same response as well.
It's a very mery christmas indeed!
Posted by: Gregory Nyssa | December 11, 2007 at 06:07 PM
I guess because a couple of blokes complain over "Merry Christmas" we must oblige them. It saddens me sometimes, but on a good note I think we might be getting back into the swing of the Merry Christmas phrase. The controversy may be dying down from MY perspective.
Posted by: Jonny Jon Jon | December 11, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Re: Jonny Jon Jon
Why do we have to oblige them? The gospel, which we're to preach is going to offend people. That's not our problem, that's between them and God.
Posted by: Len Miller | December 12, 2007 at 12:44 PM
A couple weeks ago I saw a news story about a store that mistakenly had a sale on Hanukkah hams! Jews should have been up in arms. Pigs are unclean. How dare this store insult their beliefs?!!
But in reality no one cared. Jews laughed it off. Now if this doesn't offend a Jew, how could "Merry Christmas" possibly offend a non-Christian?
Posted by: Shaun | December 13, 2007 at 10:24 AM