# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/101 "2018-12-03T12:13:15Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > But with click of your tongue and finger guns, right? You trying to get the entire mall on lockdown or something? The only time I feel comfortable saying Merry Christmas to someone is if I know them personally as Christmas celebrators, or if I just sold them a Christmas Tree. ---
**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 3, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/102 "2018-12-03T12:14:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > For those suggesting Ramadan greetings, I’ll point out that it was over back in June and won’t come again until May. **Ramadan is not a holiday** Again, Ramadan is not a holiday. Eid El Fitr, this is a holiday. Eid El Edha, also a holiday. Ramadan is a month. ---
**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 3, 2018, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/103 "2018-12-03T12:15:43Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I always assume it’s Ramadan whenever my gf makes her incredible Ramadan soup. I’m wrong 99% of the time. since there is no such thing as ramadan soup, this is not surprising. Harira, what you are thinking of, we drink all year around. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/104 "2018-12-03T12:29:52Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > since there is no such thing as ramadan soup, this is not surprising. > > Harira, what you are thinking of, we drink all year around. Maybe his girlfriend only makes it during Ramadan. I mean, we don’t know her. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/105 "2018-12-03T13:33:39Z")
I’ve seen Ramadan Soup on the menu at a Moroccan restaurant. (Le Marrakech, Saint Martin) It may more properly be called Harira, but to me it will always be Ramadan Soup, and it’s delicious.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/106 "2018-12-03T13:37:16Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > The only time I feel comfortable saying Merry Christmas to someone is if I know them personally as Christmas celebrators, or if I just sold them a Christmas Tree. Well, I’m Jewish but I often go pick up the tree for my wife, so even that wouldn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/107 "2018-12-03T13:46:56Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Well, I’m Jewish but I often go pick up the tree for my wife, so even that wouldn’t work. But would you take offense to someone wishing you a Merry Christmas at a Christmas Tree lot? ---
**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 3, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/108 "2018-12-03T14:20:30Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > 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.”;)) Yeah I knew that. I don’t know what I was thinking, sorry. Merry Christmas! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/109 "2018-12-03T14:31:41Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > But would you take offense to someone wishing you a Merry Christmas at a Christmas Tree lot? I wouldn’t take offense at anyone wishing me a Merry Christmas unless they knew specifically that I didn’t celebrate, and even then, only if I somehow concluded they were doing so for spite rather than just by habit. ---
**Author:** ![Emergency911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@Emergency911](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emergency911)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/110 "2018-12-03T15:11:27Z")
I watched this same type of encounter last year. The clerk said “happy holidays”, the lady came back with a snarky “merry christmas”. The clerk just smiled and said, “enjoy” and moved on. I think the clerk did very well with the exchange. I still don’t get it though. If I say merry christmas and you say happy hannuka, why can’t we both smile and say thank you? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/111 "2018-12-03T15:56:35Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > **Ramadan is not a holiday** > > Again, Ramadan is not a holiday. > > Eid El Fitr, this is a holiday. > Eid El Edha, also a holiday. > > Ramadan is a month. Yes, I am aware of that. But I was pointing out it’s not even a month around the same time as Christmas (at least not for another forty years). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/112 "2018-12-03T15:59:22Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > since there is no such thing as ramadan soup, this is not surprising. > > Harira, what you are thinking of, we drink all year around. > [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve seen Ramadan Soup on the menu at a Moroccan restaurant. (Le Marrakech, Saint Martin) It may more properly be called Harira, but to me it will always be Ramadan Soup, and it’s delicious.🙂 I thought he was making a joke and talking about raman soup. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/113 "2018-12-03T16:06:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I thought he was making a joke and talking about raman soup. Nope, it’s a soup with amazing seasonings, chickpeas, beef, etc. I do keep ramen soup packages in the house, but I use the noodles alone as a treat for Rocco, our African Grey. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/114 "2018-12-03T16:28:47Z")
This at work and you initiated the exchange? There’s no more to say. Real life isn’t the Pit or yahoo article comments. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/115 "2018-12-03T16:33:31Z")
Personally I find even a reference to Holidays to be offensive - not everyone is on holiday, you know. However, the good news is, like it or not, it is everyone’s shortest day (Northern hemisphere response only; and give-or-take a coupla days). So I go with: Jolly Solstice! Triflingly serious point: to a degree it does work, as people are wrongfooted enough that they struggle to summon up righteous indignation in a timely manner. j _PS: No, I’m not really offended by reference to Holidays…_ ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/116 "2018-12-03T16:45:41Z")
You could always go with a hearty “ **счастливого Рождества!** ” ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/117 "2018-12-03T16:48:35Z")
> [@Emergency911](#): > > I watched this same type of encounter last year. The clerk said “happy holidays”, the lady came back with a snarky “merry christmas”. The clerk just smiled and said, “enjoy” and moved on. I think the clerk did very well with the exchange. > I still don’t get it though. If I say merry christmas and you say happy hannuka, why can’t we both smile and say thank you? ^This. I usually respond with a smile and “Outstanding!”, regardless of what holiday they claim to celebrate. It’s no skin off my nose. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/118 "2018-12-03T18:18:09Z")
I say Good Day Sir. I say GOOD DAY! [I say it’s spinach, and I say the hell with it](https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/print/u-g-PGQV8X0.jpg?w=550&h=550&p=0) I say a little prayer for you Tell your mama, tell your pa I’m gonna ship you back to Arkansas Oh yes, you don’t do right You don’t do right Tell me what’d I say Tell me what’d I say right now Tell me what’d I say Tell me what’d I say Tell me what’d I say Tell me what’d I say ---
**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 3, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/119 "2018-12-03T18:28:24Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Yeah I knew that. I don’t know what I was thinking, sorry. > > Merry Christmas! Ok then. Merry Christmas to you too! (I don’t actually reply to it with “Bah! Humbug!” At least not most of the time. :)) Peace out. ---
**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 3, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359/120 "2018-12-03T20:16:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Nope, it’s a soup with amazing seasonings, chickpeas, beef, etc. > . It is **Harira.** At least if you know the actual name you may risk one day being able to order it somewhere. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-reply-to-i-say-merry-christmas-1/825359.md?page=7)