So I'm going to post a rant first, then I'll find a photograph to post next to balance it out.
This is by no means a new rant, I just wanted to throw my 2cents in.
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Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Happy Hannukah. Happy Kwanzaa.
Why is there all this controversy over what should be said and not be said?
I mean is it really nothing more than misguided religious pride?
Let us do an experiment then! We'll take out the religion and just use greetings.
Hello. That's how I'd greet someone. (Well, more likely a quick 'Hey' with an awkward wave, but for the sake of this argument, Hello). And that's how most English speakers greet people. *There are literally hundreds of ways to greet someone in any given language, but lets keep this simple please.
Bonjour. That's French.
Hola. Spanish there.
(1)So if I'm in an area that speaks English as a primary language, I'll say hello.
(2)If I'm in an area that speaks, say French as a primary language I'll say Bonjour and grin ruefully at my accent.
(3) But even if I'm in an English speaking region, if I know someone would prefer me to say Hola instead of Hello, I'll say Hola.
I'm fairly certain that most people can understand my above anecdote.
(1) We say what we are used to saying.
(2) We say what we believe is typical/expected to be said.
(3) We can change what we say to make others comfortable.
Now, these three simple rules can be applied to this whole holiday mess.
(1) I'll say Merry Christmas because that's what I've said and heard said since I was a child.
(2) I'll say Happy Hannukah if I know I'm among people who celebrate Hannukah.
(3) If someone says they celebrate Kwanzaa I'll say Happy Kwanzaa without a second thought. (And likely ask them about Kwanzaa, because I realize I know surprisingly little about it)
(3.5) If someone wishes me a Happy Holidays, I'll say thank you and say it back at them.
Because in the end what I'm saying has nothing to do with pushing religion, everything to do with how I wish for them to feel; Happy.
~~~
Seems like a short rant. Originally I had this huge long thing typed up but I realized, what I'm trying to say is simple. So I rewrote it. I feel pretty good about it now.
Anyways, tell me your thoughts on the Holiday debate. Have a different perspective? Share it in the comments below.
And to everyone, I wish you happiness during this time of the year (and all other times while I'm at it)!
Why is there all this controversy over what should be said and not be said?
I mean is it really nothing more than misguided religious pride?
Let us do an experiment then! We'll take out the religion and just use greetings.
Hello. That's how I'd greet someone. (Well, more likely a quick 'Hey' with an awkward wave, but for the sake of this argument, Hello). And that's how most English speakers greet people. *There are literally hundreds of ways to greet someone in any given language, but lets keep this simple please.
Bonjour. That's French.
Hola. Spanish there.
(1)So if I'm in an area that speaks English as a primary language, I'll say hello.
(2)If I'm in an area that speaks, say French as a primary language I'll say Bonjour and grin ruefully at my accent.
(3) But even if I'm in an English speaking region, if I know someone would prefer me to say Hola instead of Hello, I'll say Hola.
I'm fairly certain that most people can understand my above anecdote.
(1) We say what we are used to saying.
(2) We say what we believe is typical/expected to be said.
(3) We can change what we say to make others comfortable.
Now, these three simple rules can be applied to this whole holiday mess.
(1) I'll say Merry Christmas because that's what I've said and heard said since I was a child.
(2) I'll say Happy Hannukah if I know I'm among people who celebrate Hannukah.
(3) If someone says they celebrate Kwanzaa I'll say Happy Kwanzaa without a second thought. (And likely ask them about Kwanzaa, because I realize I know surprisingly little about it)
(3.5) If someone wishes me a Happy Holidays, I'll say thank you and say it back at them.
Because in the end what I'm saying has nothing to do with pushing religion, everything to do with how I wish for them to feel; Happy.
~~~
Seems like a short rant. Originally I had this huge long thing typed up but I realized, what I'm trying to say is simple. So I rewrote it. I feel pretty good about it now.
Anyways, tell me your thoughts on the Holiday debate. Have a different perspective? Share it in the comments below.
And to everyone, I wish you happiness during this time of the year (and all other times while I'm at it)!
Happy Solchrisannuzaa! :DDD
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't have said it better.
ReplyDelete