# How to reply to "I say Merry Christmas!!1!"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359 "2018-11-30T23:28:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/61 "2018-12-01T18:07:46Z")
I had a colleague who used to get angry when I said “Happy Christmas.” I guess just because that was not the approved refrain at her church. It’s just something I picked up as a youngster from my Irish Grandfather, and it’s terribly ingrained. People get upset about the strangest things. Mostly I just let them get on with it, and try to stand aside to avoid the spray. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/62 "2018-12-01T23:58:23Z")
I’d reply: Well, isn’t that special! But I never get the chance. I don’t run into rude people all that much, and anyone tried that at work would get laughed at, and they’d never do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/63 "2018-12-02T00:29:51Z")
I always say, “PUPPY HOLIDAYS!” and walk away. By the time the offended even figure out what I say, they’re too stammered for a response. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/64 "2018-12-02T00:33:01Z")
Just say “Merry Christmas” and be on your way. Makes them happier and costs you nothing. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/65 "2018-12-02T00:47:47Z")
If they are, in fact, the Fox News-watching white seniors that What Exit? thinks they may be: “Feliz Navidad.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/66 "2018-12-02T01:28:55Z")
“Namaste!” With the hand gesture, respectful slightest bowing of head and an inscrutable smile of serenity! That ought to confuse the buggers! ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/67 "2018-12-02T01:30:55Z")
Ranked roughly (very, very roughly) from reasonable to insane: [ul] [li]“And Happy New Year!”[/li][li]“HAPPY HANNUKAH!”[/li][li]Just smile wanly, or indulgently perhaps.[/li][li]“Oh, I’m not Japanese.”[/li][li]“No, not that one.”[/li][li]“Inshallah!”[/li][li]“You marry her!” (Not valid on the East Coast nor anywhere without the Mary-merry-marry merger.)[/li][li]“Krissmuss? What is this Krissmuss you speak of? Can you tell me more?” like you’re in a Chick Tract.[/li][li]Gasp audibly, and say, “We can’t say that!”[/li][li]Lean in, and in your best Israeli accent, say, “You know, we killed your god.”[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/68 "2018-12-02T03:26:42Z")
Really? You don’t think responding with “Merry Christmas” makes it on your list? Strange. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/69 "2018-12-02T03:44:54Z")
‘All holidays matter.’ ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/70 "2018-12-02T04:41:25Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Really? You don’t think responding with “Merry Christmas” makes it on your list? Strange. Think of them like Mad Magazines “Snappy Comebacks” to someone being douchey. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/71 "2018-12-02T04:46:36Z")
> [@Dereknocue67](#): > > Walk away muttering “Bah Humbug”. I’m a traditionalist. The only proper response to “Merry Christmas” is “Bah, Humbug!” > [@Slash1972](#): > > Really? You don’t think responding with “Merry Christmas” makes it on your list? Strange. Bless your heart! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/72 "2018-12-02T05:12:20Z")
I think an all-purpose non-commital response for just about any holiday salutaion might be _“Back at you.”_…followed by a strategic withdrawl. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/73 "2018-12-02T05:26:34Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Think of them like Mad Magazines “Snappy Comebacks” to someone being douchey. I would, but someone saying “Merry Christmas” is not douchey. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/74 "2018-12-02T05:30:00Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Bless your heart! I’m fairly certain that “Bless your heart” is an insult on this board. I’d appreciate it if you don’t insult me in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/75 "2018-12-02T06:12:52Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I would, but someone saying “Merry Christmas” is not douchey. The individuals described in the OP certainly were, and deliberately so. Those are the people we are discussing responding to, not just anyone who says “Merry Christmas.” > [@Slash1972](#): > > I’m fairly certain that “Bless your heart” is an insult on this board. I’d appreciate it if you don’t insult me in this forum. Seriously? That’s a rather strong reaction to what was intended as some mild ribbing (especially after you insulted almost everyone else in the thread by calling their responses “strange.”;)) If you are going to be judgmental about other’s responses to people who are being obnoxiously sanctimonious, you’ve got to expect some sarcasm in return. If you want to pursue this, rather than derail this thread, I invite you to Pit me if you seriously think I was insulting you. Since I am posting as a poster and not as a mod, you are allowed to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/76 "2018-12-02T06:45:43Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > “Go fuck yourself” Given that you were trying to wish your fellow humans a good tiding, just saying “Go fuck yourself” is quite rude. What you should say instead is “_Please_, go fuck yourself”. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/77 "2018-12-02T11:19:41Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Say ‘happy ramadan’. > [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Happy Ramadan! Please do not. It is not only boring and annoying, it is wrong and stupid and we hardly need non muslims being boring and wrong “for us.” First, the Ramadan is not a holiday, it is a month of fasting. And not at all like your christmas in any way or form. If you want to do something like that just say **Happy Eid**. (or eid moubarek if you want) At least either of the two big Eids can be similar in a way and it also includes our christian arabic speakers. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/78 "2018-12-02T12:24:36Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I would, but someone saying “Merry Christmas” is not douchey. That’s not what this thread is about. It’s about someone saying “I _say_ Merry Christmas” in response to “Happy Holidays”, as a nasty to response to an inclusive greeting. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/79 "2018-12-02T12:31:59Z")
**Mod Hat On** Report, don’t Jr Mod. And it was a small tease, not an insult. > [@Slash1972](#): > > I’m fairly certain that “Bless your heart” is an insult on this board. I’d appreciate it if you don’t insult me in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2018, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/80 "2018-12-02T13:09:00Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > not at all like your christmas in any way or form. To be really fair Christmas isn’t like Christmas in most ways. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359.md?page=5)