# I'm offended by the Christmas offended **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 21, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212 "2008-12-21T19:51:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/1 "2008-12-21T19:51:28Z")
This rant is strictly for those that are offended by Christmas cards and Christmas salutations, including those who are offended on behalf of the offended. It pisses me off that I’m expected to walk on eggshells with regard to my Christmas expressions. Fuck, I grew up in North America, its part of my culture that I cherish and I’m not going to compromise it. Now if you let me know you’re offended by Christmas cards, you are not going to get one. I won’t say Merry Christmas to you either. I already went through that with my parents who objected to Christmas for a period during my late teens and early twenties for biblical reasons. But I am going to think less of you. Who the fuck you think you are by telling me you don’t appreciate the expressions of my culture. If I go to Saudi Arabia, I’m not going to be offended by well meaning cultural gestures, religious or otherwise. In fact I would welcome it. I would deplore any western thinking person that would suggest they were offended by a benign religious or cultural gesture in a foreign land. That includes the Christian missionaries past and present. Salam to you too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/2 "2008-12-21T20:01:38Z")
Has anyone every told you (outside your family) that they’re offended by a seasons greeting or a Christmas card? I’m not a believer, but I return any greeting as given. I send and receive Christmas cards. I’ve received very religious cards and I’m touched that the person thought of me. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/3 "2008-12-21T20:11:37Z")
I have the same question. I’m Catholic, and my family celebrates Christmas. I don’t care if someone gives me a “Happy Holiday” in lieu of “Merry Christmas.” And I have never, not even once, had anyone take offense to a “Merry Christmas” I offered. Does anyone (i.e., more than the standard number of cranks who are offended by anything) care about this? Really? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/4 "2008-12-21T20:13:12Z")
> [@jali](#): > > Has anyone every told you (outside your family) that they’re offended by a seasons greeting or a Christmas card? Only on the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/5 "2008-12-21T20:21:34Z")
If you grew up in North America, does that mean you cherish Native American/First Nations celebrations, too? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/6 "2008-12-21T20:23:44Z")
Almost nobody is offended by Christmas cards. That’s a right wing media myth. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/7 "2008-12-21T20:24:47Z")
I sort of know someone who is offended by Christmas, and cards. It’s a woman I work with who’s a Jehovah’s Witness. Sweet girl, and I actually like her for the most part, but she’s always talking about “[her] religion” and how it’s right, while all the others are obviously wrong without giving any real justification despite weekly bible study classes in addition to actual church meetings. I do think she would be offended if someone gave her a Christmas card, and I don’t believe anyone in our office has even though I, an open atheist, have received about a dozen, a few of them blatantly religious. I made jokes about them burning my fingers as I opened them, but still thanked the people who gave them to me… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/8 "2008-12-21T20:27:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If you grew up in North America, does that mean you cherish Native American/First Nations celebrations, too? Absoutely. They are part of our cultural heritage, and I appreciate it when they share it with us.We get plenty of native cultural celebration and expression here on Vancouver Island. ---
**Author:** ![Mbossa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Mbossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mbossa)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/9 "2008-12-21T20:35:27Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Only on the SDMB. This should be easy then. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/10 "2008-12-21T20:40:00Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Only on the SDMB. Easy answer. Don’t give anyone on the SDMB a Christmas card and don’t wish them a Merry Christmas. It’s all good. No need to be offended by what probably wouldn’t have happened anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/11 "2008-12-21T20:40:27Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Almost nobody is offended by Christmas cards. That’s a right wing media myth. The War on Christmas is a great fundraiser. As is the fake War on Christianity they’ve been peddling too. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/12 "2008-12-21T20:42:20Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Almost nobody is offended by Christmas cards. That’s a right wing media myth. From [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=10601226) > [@Someone said 'Happy Holidays' to me: I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I'm offended! I'll sue!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-said-happy-holidays-to-me-im-a-jehovahs-witness-im-offended-ill-sue/478067/14): > > Since you felt fine wishing me Merry Christmas in the other thread after I’d told you that I don’t appreciate it, I’ll just add a hearty Fuck You in this thread. Can you grasp the concept that your POV is not universal? ---
**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 21, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/13 "2008-12-21T20:43:35Z")
_sigh_ I’m tired of defending my personal feelings in two other threads already. Let’s just say if you are saying Merry Christmas once you know that the recipient doesn’t like it, you’re just being a jerk. If your intended purpose is to share the spirit of the season, why not find a way to do so that is appreciated by the person you are trying to greet? No one has a problem that you celebrate Christmas. Everyone appreciates that you are trying to share that spirit with others. All I (and others) are asking is that you listen when people tell you that the terms you use makes them feel uneasy or uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/14 "2008-12-21T20:45:14Z")
Doesn’t sound like he was offended at being told “Merry Christmas”, he was offended by having his preference ignored. Either way, he’s a thin-skinned jerk, but I’d like to see a more accurate cite of the original claim. edit: oh, hi, Tel. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/15 "2008-12-21T20:47:04Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > From [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=10601226) I said _almost_ nobody. It’s certainly not any kind of trend. For every individual who’s offended by “Merry Christmas,” there are probably 100 who say they’re offended by NOT being told Merry Christmas. But even if somebody does get offended – so what? What do you care? How does it do you any harm? It’s their hangup, not yours. ---
**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 21, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/16 "2008-12-21T20:47:15Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > From [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=10601226) I’d also like to point out that this thread doesn’t demonstrate your point. I’d only be offended if I’d already told a person that I don’t wish to celebrate Christmas and they continued to send Christmas cards. All the people who know me well enough to send me cards, send me Holidays or Hanukkah cards. It’s not the greeting, I could give a fuck about that. It’s not considering my feelings and desires that offends. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/17 "2008-12-21T20:48:56Z")
Wishing someone a merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukka, a happy or merry anything, is a gesture of friendly good will. Anyone who tries to make a big deal about being offended by a gesture of good will and who uses it to start an argument or make you feel bad, is an asshole. There is no war on Christmas, but there are assholes. ---
**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 21, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/18 "2008-12-21T20:49:02Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Either way, he’s a thin-skinned jerk, but I’d like to see a more accurate cite of the original claim. > > edit: oh, hi, Tel. Forget it, this is exactly why it’s not worth my time. The people who matter to me treat my feelings with respect, that’s what’s important. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/19 "2008-12-21T20:49:12Z")
Yeah, if you know somebody’s Jewish, it’s kind of dickish to keep sending them Christmas cards. It’s no longer a gesture of good will at that point. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212/20 "2008-12-21T20:49:19Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > All I (and others) are asking is that you listen when people tell you that the terms you use makes them feel uneasy or uncomfortable. And all I’m saying is get the fuck over yourself. When you tell me that offering you a “Merry Christmas” offends you, then you are offending me and my culture. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-offended-by-the-christmas-offended/478212.md?page=2)