The 'Merry Christmas' debate.

[Sharky]

Now I hadn't given the 'Merry Christmas' vs 'Happy Holidays' debate much thought until recently when I read an article about a man kicking off when the pilot of his plane wished him Merry Christmas causing this man to become so worked up that they had to escort him from the plane before take off.

Now, generally I can't stand the whole 'attack on Christmas' people who are forever making a big stink when chains and corporations wish 'Happy Holidays' instead of the traditional 'Merry Christmas.' I absolutely think Happy Holidays is the correct thing for businesses to say a multicultural society where they're serving all sorts of people.

But when an individual person wishes another Merry Christmas, for that to cause anyone to feel offended, well I think the offended party needs to shut their whore mouth! Living in a multicultural society works both ways, it means you have to live side by side with people who have different beliefs. So if you're wished 'Merry Christmas' OR 'Happy Hanukkah' OR 'Ramadan' or 'Happy Holidays' or whatever and you can't see the good intention behind it and wish them the same in return... Well, then YOU'RE the asshole.

What do you think?

[mylifewithsega]

I concur. However, I am deeply offended you didn't mention Kwanzaa in your examples and must be removed from my laptop.

[MadeManG74]

Stores and individuals and goverments should be able to say whatever they want in terms of holiday greetings. Jewish people wish me a 'Happy Hannukah' all the time, I wish them a happy hannukah as well even though I'm not Jewish.

[Sharky]

Ah yes Kwanzaa, it's actually not celebrated in Europe at all! I only heard about it a couple years ago.


Mademan, I think that while its fine if a business or government wants to wish Merry Christmas that's fine, but I think it's better for everyone if they go with Happy Holidays just to be as inclusive as possible.

But from person to person anybody that gets offended when someone wishes them merry Christmas or Kwanzaa or whatever is a complete doucher.

[MadeManG74]

Mademan, I think that while its fine if a business or government wants to wish Merry Christmas that's fine, but I think it's better for everyone if they go with Happy Holidays just to be as inclusive as possible.

I don't agree, I think it would be silly for anyone to be offended by any entity celebrating their culture/religion/what-have-you. You can change it to something plain and blanketing, but I feel then rather than 'including' everyone, it just excludes everyone and becomes meaningless.

If I lived in another culture, I would expect them to celebrate that culture freely, rather than having to change their wording because it might offend some dickhead.

Honestly, the only people who ever fight for the abolishment of 'Christmas' phrasing are dull white people who race to be the most 'tolerant' so they can smell their own farts and pretend they are superior.

[max_cady]

Honestly, here in Portugal, we basically wish every one a Merry X-mas, then after Dec. 25th it's Happy Holidays. This whole issue that's being described, it's not a thing over here. FYI, Ramadan is celebrated mostly during Summertime.

[inthesky]

I don't really care to be honest. I think that either Happy Holidays or your personal greeting is fine. Personally I have zero religious affiliation. I switch between "merry christmas" and "happy holidays" without thought because they don't have meaning to me on a spiritual level. Christmas has over time become both neutral and associated with Christianity, while Happy Holidays is neutral. I don't see anything problematic with governments or businesses sticking with something neutral; this is often just what comes with territory of serving a broad audience

But still, to speak directly about what's in the OP, I agree. To have someone greet you during "the holiday season" in a way that reflects their spirituality is not necessarily some veiled attempt at establishing cultural hegemony or insulting you/your beliefs/your mom. When someone greets you like that why would you assume the worst or react negatively.

I don't agree, I think it would be silly for anyone to be offended by any entity celebrating their culture/religion/what-have-you. You can change it to something plain and blanketing, but I feel then rather than 'including' everyone, it just excludes everyone and becomes meaningless.

If I lived in another culture, I would expect them to celebrate that culture freely, rather than having to change their wording because it might offend some dickhead.

Honestly, the only people who ever fight for the abolishment of 'Christmas' phrasing are dull white people who race to be the most 'tolerant' so they can smell their own farts and pretend they are superior.

You were on the naughty list this year, weren't you. =P

America hasn't been about cultural uniformity for a long time, I think us having this discussion speaks for itself.

[crackdude]

Honestly, here in Portugal, we basically wish every one a Merry X-mas, then after Dec. 25th it's Happy Holidays. This whole issue that's being described, it's not a thing over here. FYI, Ramadan is celebrated mostly during Summertime.

Yea.

For example, I don't celebrate christmas, so I just reply "felicidades" to people. It basically means "happy days" or "have a good one"

[Barry the Nomad]

Oh boy, Kawanzaa. Read up on the history of that and the man behind it, it's insane. I took African American studies in college and after a semester the teacher turned the entire class against Kawanzaa.

[MadeManG74]

Oh boy, Kawanzaa. Read up on the history of that and the man behind it, it's insane. I took African American studies in college and after a semester the teacher turned the entire class against Kawanzaa.

HORRID... KAWANZAA!!!




...Crackdude will understand this.

[crackdude]

Never underestimate beard-fu

[MadeManG74]

I can't believe how offensive this thread is:

http://segabits.com/forums/index.php?topic=3384.0

What did Santa/Jew Zombie bring you? Unbelievable. Should have been;
"What did you receive over the holiday season, from anyone at all, regardless if you celebrate a culturally significant event or tradition or not"

Pointing out Christmas/Chunky Huh is NOT inclusive of everyone. I can't believe Barry tried to weasel that into the forum. I move that we have him banned for life, and replaced with Kogen.

[Barry the Nomad]

You're a funny man MadeMan. Do you do impressions? I'd love to see your take on Sharky, disappear for 18 months! ZING!

[MadeManG74]

You're a funny man MadeMan. Do you do impressions? I'd love to see your take on Sharky, disappear for 18 months! ZING!

I already did that bit and weasel'd out for a long time, but was asked to come back!


But don't mind me, I'm just grumpy because I didn't get anything for Christmas this year.

[Barry the Nomad]

I already did that bit and weasel'd out for a long time, but was asked to come back!


But don't mind me, I'm just grumpy because I didn't get anything for Christmas this year.

I'll admit, it was me under an alt account asking you back. I love the abuse, I sort of- ehem, get off on it. Remember when you consistently beat me in VF5? I was letting you beat me. I'm writing a SEGAbits forum fanfic now: 16-bits of MadeMan