Being in the States for Christmas once again is nice. Thailand had all the decor, the music, and the lights of Christmas in the big city, but it was missing one BIG thing. Cold.
Another thing I missed was something I remember loving as a kid. It seemed I was the one picked to shop with dad many late nights while I was younger, or was it that I just loved to be with my dad so I volunteered? Same reason I was always the one that took him up on tickets to a ball game. Love my dad. Anyway... that's beside the point. I loved how when we would run into old acquaintances (my dad knows people everywhere) or we would purchase something, or even wander out of a store empty-handed, people would always wish us a "Merry Christmas".
While in Thailand, I didn't find that people said "Merry Christmas" very often. It's much more common to wish one another a "Happy New Year", a Thai phrase we learned quickly and used regularly to spark extra smiles from our taxi drivers. We wondered if saying "Merry Christmas" to strangers was mildly offensive in an almost completely Buddhist country, so generally we stuck with "Happy New Year".
Since this is our first Holiday season back in the states (we missed all but a few days last year), we've been enjoying the festivities, the decor, and the weather. I also love the holiday shopping. I love shopping. I love being out and about, checking off my list, looking for deals, and getting excited about finding just the right gift. I've just recently noticed that no one says "Merry Christmas" anymore. Is this just me?
I decided to try it out on people I'd run into and people I deal with in the holiday rush, just to test the waters. People I knew returned the sentiment without much hesitation. Most employees at stores seemed surprised, occasionally wishing me the same, but about the same amount would ignore me all together looking to help the next customer.
Isn't this the reason for the holiday? Christ? How can we not include him in our happy wishes to those around us?
Here's my question: Is it offensive to wish someone a "Merry Christmas" regardless of religious beliefs? Is it not politically correct enough to be acceptable? Are we supposed to stick to the more generic "happy holidays" or "happy new year"?
Here's another question: Do YOU wish people a "Merry Christmas" or just get on with your business?
I'd love to hear your take on this... leave a comment or just vote on the poll (clear down at the bottom). What do you think?
6 comments:
What b blog ...lovely i feel your all words really very nice..
and Merry X Mas or happy new Year..********* :D
It seems like everyone I meet (workers at stores etc.) _does_ say Merry Christmas. So you must be running into the wrong people, somehow :) I have wondered, too, if it might be offensive to someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. It doesn't SEEM like it should be (I wouldn't feel bad if someone said, "Happy Hannukah!" to me), but I don't know.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to you! :)
I always say "Merry Christmas" and usually find a good response! But, Colorado Springs is like a mini Bible-belt and people are always trying to prove their Christianity! Sometimes its a perk!
Merry Christmas!
It's more politically correct to say "Happy Holidays," but I don't think political correctness is the best guide for how to live life. If my Jewish friends wished me a Happy Hanukkah I'd feel included, not offended.
But maybe that's because I'm part of the majority who celebrate Christmas. Hard to say. So I cater to the individual.
Tricky question - I'd never thought of it until I moved to Santa Fe. The superintendent of the school where I work is Jewish - so they have a "Winter Holiday Party". I accidentally called it a Christmas party to some of my co-workers and was quickly reprimanded. Oops. However, today I was wished a Merry Christmas at the store...so maybe I can say it if I want. I was affraid to be offensive after I was so harshly corrected. I definately say it to family and friends.
For me I think many Thai people like to say Happy New Year more than say Merry Christmas maybe because this is be the Buddhism 95 % Thailand but for me I think We can say the both? " Merry Christmans & Happy New Year" anyway, Thanks for post this and I wll shar this with my Thai Friends , What they thinking?
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