Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays (if anyone really cares)
I happen to be one of those people that prefers to say "Happy Holidays" in order to include everyone, no matter what their ethnicity or religion. I guess I am just more accepting of others than some, and I feel everyone deserves respect. I certainly will say Merry Christmas back to someone if they choose to greet me in that manner, but I am not one of those that feels the need to cram a religious holiday greeting down everyone's throats for the 5 or 6 weeks in between Christmas and Thanksgiving and for a month afterwards. There are numerous holidays to celebrate in November, december, and January, and I I'm just thankful that I am not one of those uptight people that feels threatened by others' beliefs.
If you are, though, you might want to take a look at this list of stores that DEMAND the use of Merry Christmas from their employees vs. the list of stores that don't allow the use of Merry Christmas. Personally, I think they are all nuts; why have a rule at all? Why must employees be babysat like this? Can't they hack it if they say one phrase or the other, and the customer either mumbles the same in return or chastises them for bothering them at all?
NOTE: I got these lists from the Liberty Council, a religious right group that works very closely with bat shit crazy Jerry Falwell, hence the angry descriptions for the "naugty" stores and the gleeful exclamation point marked descriptions for the "nice" stores. I thought you would all be as amused as I was, so I included them.
If you are, though, you might want to take a look at this list of stores that DEMAND the use of Merry Christmas from their employees vs. the list of stores that don't allow the use of Merry Christmas. Personally, I think they are all nuts; why have a rule at all? Why must employees be babysat like this? Can't they hack it if they say one phrase or the other, and the customer either mumbles the same in return or chastises them for bothering them at all?
NOTE: I got these lists from the Liberty Council, a religious right group that works very closely with bat shit crazy Jerry Falwell, hence the angry descriptions for the "naugty" stores and the gleeful exclamation point marked descriptions for the "nice" stores. I thought you would all be as amused as I was, so I included them.
NAUGHTY StoresYou gotta love the "X's" next to the naughty stores and the "checks" next to the nice stores. As my father always says, "only in America".
ﻼ Banana Republic – Web site has “Holiday Gift Guide” with no mention of any Christmas.
ﻼ Best Buy – Web site says “Unique gifts for the season,” “Holiday gift ideas.” Spokesperson said they consider the use of “Merry Christmas” to be disrespectful.
ﻼ Dollar Tree - Customer reports they are avoiding the “C” word. Everything is “holiday”, though “it’s pretty obvious which ‘holiday’ they will not discuss.”
ﻼ Eddie Bauer – Customer service would not recognize Christmas, they “don’t want to offend Jews, those who celebrate Kwanzaa and those who have no religious preference.”
ﻼ Gap – “Holiday Survival Guide” has no mention of Christmas.
ﻼ Giant Eagle Pharmacy – (PA, OH, MD, WV) Selling “Seasonal wrap” for presents, no mention of Christmas, no “Christmas” items.
ﻼ J. Crew Outfitters – A warehouse associate reported the retailer refuses to recognize Christmas. Has a “holiday edition” catalog, will hold a “holiday meal”, and a sign says there are X days until the “holiday.”
ﻼ Lane Bryant – “Holiday Sale 2006” Customer service informed a customer that “It is politically incorrect to mention Christmas, because we don’t want to offend our customers who are not Christians.” Their Web site is designed in red and green.
ﻼ Lowe’s – Customer care told us that employees cannot say Merry Christmas to shoppers except in response to the same greeting. After a public outcry in 2005, Lowe’s stated they would modify their ads and no longer say things such as “Holiday trees”. Christmas trees are sometimes mentioned on their Web site, but are categorized as “artificial trees.” Web site has “Holiday” gift cards and a “Holiday Living” section (that only contains Christmas-related items.)
ﻼ Old Navy – Web site has “Holiday Gift Guide,” “Holiday gift boxes” but nothing about Christmas.
ﻼ Petsmart – Has a Holiday Shop, and Luv-a-pet ornaments, photos with Santa, but no Christmas. Entering “Christmas” in their Web site search tool yields over 100 items relating to Christmas, but they are all named “Holiday” except one.
ﻼ Rite Aid – Advertises “holiday savings” with all Christmas products, employees told to say “Happy Holidays.” One employee says, “These retailers are profiting from the traditions of giving that have developed out of Christianity but refuse to acknowledge the faith that feeds them.”
ﻼ Schnucks Grocery Stores – (MO, IL) Have “Happy Holidays” banners but no mention of Christmas anywhere.
ﻼ Staples – Web site advertises “Department of Unexpected Gifts.” Sell “Hanukkah” cards and “religious” cards. Never says Christmas.
NICE Stores
√ Ace Hardware ~ Sells Christmas trees and wreaths, Salvation Army bell ringers outside.
√ Cabela’s ~ A customer reported he was greeting with “Merry Christmas” by an associate. The store has a “Christmas Shoppe.”
√ Dillard’s ~ Advertises a Christmas Catalog.
√ Harry & David ~ Sells baskets of Christmas goodies.
√ Hobby Lobby ~ Plays Christmas music and has Christmas throughout the store.
√ JC Penney ~ Web site has a Christmas shipping countdown.
√ Joann Fabrics ~ Offers Christmas and Holiday fabrics. “Christmas Celebration!” signs in stores.
√ K-Mart ~ Was selling “holiday trees”, now sells “Christmas trees”. Web site: “Where Christmas comes together.”
√ Land’s End ~ Christmas Gift Guide.
√ L.L. Bean ~ Christmas Catalog.
√ Linens ‘N Things ~ Christmas Shop and Christmas Checklist.
√ Macy’s ~ “Merry Christmas!” on Web site and in stores.
√ Menards ~ Employees have Merry Christmas on their aprons, stores have Christmas displays.
√ Michaels ~ Web site has a Christmas section.
√ Mills Fleet Farm ~ (WI, MN, IA and ND) Ad says, “Especially for Christmas;” Christmas music reported in a MN store.
√ M&M-Mars Candies ~ Will have red and green candies with pictures of Christmas trees and angels among other images.
√ www.Nation-Gifts.com ~ Retailer devoted to keeping Christ in Christmas. Catalogs available.
√ Sears ~ Stores have signs that say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” although Web site just says “holidays”.
√ Target ~ Web site says Christmas Decor, though the physical store has Holiday entertaining. End of television ad says “Merry Christmas”.
√ Toys ‘R’ Us ~ The store moved from our “naughty” list after the company said it celebrates Christmas and disagreed with the actions of a Pennsylvania store guest relations coordinator who had written customer that the store aims to be neutral about Christmas out of respect for all their customers.
√ USA Drug Stores ~ (IA, IL, MO, AR, MS, TN.) Front page of their flyer said, “For Christians throughout the world, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas from our family to yours." They also printed the Christmas story from Luke 2:8-20 on the flyer’s front page.
√ Walgreens ~ "Holiday shop" Has Christmas and holiday gift ideas," and "Christmas collectibles."
√ Wal-Mart ~ Has a Christmas Shop, plays Christmas carols, and, unlike last year, employees can say "Merry Christmas."
posted by Phriendly Jaime at
3:38 PM
14 Comments:
I will go to the naughty stores just to spite their stupid letter.
Marry Christmas!
I certainly will say Merry Christmas back to someone if they choose to greet me in that manner, but I am not one of those that feels the need to cram a religious holiday greeting down everyone's throats for the 5 or 6 weeks in between Christmas and Thanksgiving and for a month afterwards.
Merry Christmas to you as well, hr. :)
The real War on Christmas is the commercialization of the holiday: cards from merchants who don't know us, retailers who don't give sick leave to their employees (including those in the food service industry), presents made by slaves in the Northern Marinaras Islands thanks to Jack Abramoff and Tom Davis (Davis wrote the check). Merry Christmas!
I'm with you Jaime, I say "Happy Holidays," ESPECIALLY when I'm addressing someone whom I don't know the religious beliefs of, not because I'm launching some "war on Christmas," but because I don't like to be exclusive. That being said, I don't agree with blatent "censoring" of Christmas either (a good example of this would be the Seattle airport which removed the Christmas trees to avoid "offending" international travelers.)
On another note....
I wonder how many of those that express their outrage over what they perceive to be a "war on Christmas," are also bemoaning large celebrations of Martin Luther King day.......? Just a thought....
Maybe Happy Halloween is more in keeping with your persona.
Merry Christmas PJ! Maybe your present to me will be answering my questions? I hope so!
John-what are you talking about?
I'm not coming over to your blog (you don't even have the decency to LINK mine, incidently) to give you some attention you so desperately need.
Ask me something here, and I'll THINK about answeriung it, if it's pertinent or worth my time.
The moment you link to mine, I'll link to yours...you give SWAC girl more attention than me! :(
Here are your questions--time to step up...many bloggers are waiting on pins and needles for this...
1. You said that these accusations made by Jones and acted on by the police were done "WITHOUT ANY PROOF WHATSOEVER". I'm looking through the article where this was sighted or even hinted at--even IMPLIED at. Can't find anything. But let's face it, I would have a hard time identifying a woman who got within inches of my face in order to spit in it too. Maybe they were playing Marco-Polo....yea, I bet that's it.
2. "She offered no explanation, yet she admitted nothing, and they charged her." Would you if you were in that situation (not a far cry for something that you would do)? She was probably to busy reading her sign and the tickets to the next Bill Engvall concert I just sent her. People who commit completely stupid actions usually clam up when asked for an explanation. Kind of like when we ask Dems to stick on issues and facts--clam up.
3. "Because there is no way to prove it happened..." Do you know what the words 'supported accusation' mean? What would these soldiers have to gain by lying and making up this story? Be careful in your answer! You have the opportunity to offend thousands of people--all on your say so.
4. "No one has any idea whether or not this woman is a Democrat." Honestly, do you think they would actually be a Republican? Sorry, the party of higher thought and morality doesn't really feel the need to protest and make a name for themsevles as the Dems do. We actually believe in attributes like honor and chivalry. I ask you to name me at LEAST 3 instances where Republicans acted in such a manner as Maggi of the 'anonymous party' has done. Anything even CLOSE will be acceptable. I reason you cannot provide.
5. "First of all, if a story is only reported on Fox News by Jon Gibson, it isn't news. Period." Using this logic, that means that if CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC or any other local, state or national news source is the only source to break a story then it automatically is false? I doubt that is what you mean. Or is CNN God's word alone?
6. "It makes you look, well, stupid, and people are left to wonder why you blog in the first place." I don't even think I need to ask a question about that. Umm...yea...right.
7. "Lastly, distorting facts and truth is not blogging, it is a cry for attention and a sign of an emotional problem. People experiencing this ought to get themselves to the appropriate doctors as soon as possible." I don't think those news facts can be distorted? Can they? Did you distort them? I know a few good doctors down this way I can refer you to.
Note to all:
I have been hit with a lot of spam lately, and I have tracked the IP addresses. There is a certain Republican blogger who is going through this blog (and others) dropping spam.
Just delete, and call them out on it.
Thanks.
I think it's funny that you still haven't answered those questions. My dollar still stands. You would think that, logically, if you really wanted to diffuse any credability that I had (instead of just saying I have 0), it would be to answer my questions and finally put to rest my idiocy. But if you can't do that, then it makes you look like you've come out as nothing more than a blog poster that exists EXPRESSLY to attack Righty bloggers using childish, poorly constructed ideas and posts. Take your sniping back over to Daily Kos' site, where idiocy, and bigotry is the accepted language.
John, I answered your request in the last thread you posted under.
I forgot what the last thread I posted under was
Merry Christmas to all!!!
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