# Let the holiday mini rants begin **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 22, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501 "2009-11-22T05:08:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/81 "2009-11-24T19:24:07Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I go to the manager because that’s what they get paid for. And because otherwise I’d soon run out of stores to shop at, otherwise. My experience of shop manager/esses in the UK is far different from those in the US. I was with a friend of mine in Michigan at a store called Mejier?, she had cause to complain about some ham she wanted to buy, it looked ok to me but she said it was “tatty” and discoloured Anyway, the manager came, agreed with her and comped her about 5lbs of ham. In the UK you’d be lucky if the manager gave you ½oz of corned beef. And this is why I love America almost as much as the UK, you guys take care of your customers ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/82 "2009-11-24T20:04:59Z")
I would be more likely to give you some money if you didn’t ring that infernal bell! ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/83 "2009-11-24T21:13:42Z")
> [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](#): > > Yes, because an hour and a half of Christmas carols shared with 160 of my closest friends while packed into a high-speed sardine can _isn’t_ my idea of Hell. Oh man, I just got the image of them all -singing along!- A whole airplane of people hitting the ‘Fiiiiiiiive… Golden… Riiiiiiings!’ 😛 ---
**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:** [November 24, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/84 "2009-11-24T21:46:19Z")
My oven died. I can’t find a repairman to come before next Monday, and none of my friends or family will let us within ten miles of their homes because I am (after three whole weeks!) still trying to fight off H1N1. Happy Thanksgiving little Celtling! ☹ Oh well, she’d probably prefer Mac’n’Cheese anyway. . . ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/85 "2009-11-24T22:09:30Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > God bless the Sainted Holy Mute Button. > > It’s taken a few days to get the old holiday reflexes back, but now I automatically mute in time to silence the Obnoxious Gap Singers, the buy-her-jewels-or-no-nookie ads and the gee-we’re-glad-to-serve-you Walmartians. > > Viewing in heav-en-ly pea-eace, > viewing in heavenly peace. Also the Sacred Tivo. Watch shows when _you_ want to, and you can fast-forward through the commercials. That’s a great thing all year round, but it’s even better at this time of year. Tivo doesn’t pay me to say this, though they probably should. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/86 "2009-11-24T22:35:05Z")
Gotsta learn how to spell it first, though. TiVo. ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/87 "2009-11-24T22:59:34Z")
I am increasingly annoyed at commercials which hijack the few Christmas songs I like in order to sell a product. I’m looking at you, Garmin, for turning the **Carol of the Bells** into “Give a, give a, give a, give a Garmin.” Pissed me off so much that I bought a, bought a, bought a, bought a TomTom instead. I’m also looking at you, random truck people (Hyundai, maybe?), who managed to show your generic pickup romping through the snow to the **Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy** roughly 2,500 times during the football games last Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/88 "2009-11-25T02:49:40Z")
After spending the day shopping with my lovely wife, I have a new holiday rant. Why the FUCK are we spending so much money on presents? I have been out of work since MARCH, and we just had to get a cash distribution from our investment account to keep going. SURELY this is a good time to throttle our previous spending BACK a little bit! But the kids don’t get it, and more importantly by even bringing up the subject, I’m grinching all over the only fun my wife apparently has, which is to top herself every year and plan/shop/spend herself into a holiday ulcer. I am going to just throw up my hands in surrender and try not to knock the mistletoe off its little hook in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/89 "2009-11-25T03:47:16Z")
> [@Tinkertoy](#): > > Sorry troll find another billygoat. I’m off to kick puppies and cut the cords on all the neighbors christmas lights. They finally got electric lights in your neighborhood? Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/90 "2009-11-25T13:25:42Z")
> [@Proudest\_Monkey](#): > > I am increasingly annoyed at commercials which hijack the few Christmas songs I like in order to sell a product. > > I’m looking at you, Garmin, for turning the **Carol of the Bells** into “Give a, give a, give a, give a Garmin.” Back in the early 90’s, I think it was TJ Maxx did a commercial with “Carol of the Bells” turned into “Nine ninety-nine, nine, ninety-nine”. I don’t remember what they were selling for $9.99, and I’m not sure which store did that commercial, but that song still gets stuck in my head sometimes, dammit. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/91 "2009-11-25T18:17:07Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > I’m a solitary type of person. A long weekend where I can just relax and do my own thing alone is extremely relaxing and something I’m very thankful for. Going to a big, chaotic gathering featuring food I can’t stand and where I don’t know most of the people is _incredibly stressful_ for me. Please stop assuming that the fact that I politely declined your invitation for Thanksgiving day means I’m going to spend the entire weekend sitting in a dark corner sobbing into a bottle of whiskey. Thank you thank you thank you! The greatest gift that my family or friends can give me is _not_ to see me or interact with me in holiday gatherings, parties, celebrations, etc. I love being with my family and friends in simple small circumstances when we can actually, you know, talk about something substantive, have a conversation, enjoy our company. Rushing through bustling fragmentary snippets of loud “conversations” of trite affirmations and gossip while juggling travel, dinners, gifts, plans, guests, is _not_ enjoyable and I’m only left frustrated and wanting for some actual quality social time. Instead of Thanksgiving dinner, let’s just meet for coffee the next day. We’ll bond much much better. ---
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/92 "2009-11-25T19:52:51Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > I’m a solitary type of person. A long weekend where I can just relax and do my own thing alone is extremely relaxing and something I’m very thankful for. Going to a big, chaotic gathering featuring food I can’t stand and where I don’t know most of the people is _incredibly stressful_ for me. Please stop assuming that the fact that I politely declined your invitation for Thanksgiving day means I’m going to spend the entire weekend sitting in a dark corner sobbing into a bottle of whiskey. > > Also, if you want to play Christmas music - or any, but particularly godawful Muzaky Christmas tunes - in your office, fine. Shut your fucking office door. Add me to this sentiment. I do sincerely appreciate the invitation for Thanksgiving dinner, but I would prefer to have some “me time.” I agree with your post 95%. I do love me the traditional TG fixins but I can make that anytime right? I get it that people like to spend time with family and friends but for a lot of folks this next month is a very stressful time. I really wish I could take Nov 15 - Jan 15th off of work and go somewhere in the world that has no concept of Thanksgiving or Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/93 "2009-11-25T22:56:07Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > Naw, I like it, it’s nice and toasty warm with all the impotent rage, and the misguidedness of it makes for a nice diffuse effect. When **Carol** ’s around, it’s like Festivus all year long! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/94 "2009-11-26T01:59:11Z")
> [@BigBertha](#): > > Jesus is NOT the reason for the season-its a pagan tradition the ‘church’ coopted. > :mad:😛 Unlikely. Or rather, a Church Father _did_ calculate that Jesus was born on Dec 25th by a method we _now_ consider doubtful. However, he appeared to be sincere in his convictions and calculations. It _is_ true that Xtianity has co-opted many holiday traditions- yule log, Xmas tree, and so forth. But that’s not the Church _per se_. I have a few Holiday rants- no retail store should be open for Thanksgiving or Xmas. (except a few 24 hour pharmacies, and such). Give your employees a paid holiday, please. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/95 "2009-11-26T02:56:08Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > When **Carol** ’s around, it’s like Festivus all year long! I’m not checking to see if Carol is cinnamon flavored though. That’d just be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/96 "2009-11-26T03:00:39Z")
Naughty, if not necessarily nice. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/97 "2009-11-26T07:13:44Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > I saw an ad earlier this evening for Old Navy. They’re opening at 3:00 a.m. on Friday. _Three-freakin’-a.m._ > Really? What, 5:00 a.m. isn’t good enough for you? Toys R Us is opening a 12:01 AM. There’s not enough money in the world to get me to go to a Toys R Us at midnight on Thanksgiving Day/the early hours of Black Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/98 "2009-11-26T07:56:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I have a few Holiday rants- no retail store should be open for Thanksgiving or Xmas. (except a few 24 hour pharmacies, and such). Give your employees a paid holiday, please. I was just thinking this earlier this evening. I think that all employees should be paid double on such holidays. No exemptions for any field of work. In some cases, employees should be drawing combat pay. Me? Got just about everything that I had planned to buy, bought. Of course, my dishwasher went out on me a couple of days ago, and so I am looking forward to doing some retail shopping after turkey day. :dubious: Generally, I don’t buy anything except perishables from Thanksgiving til January 2. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/99 "2009-11-26T16:43:44Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > I was with a friend of mine in Michigan at a store called Mejier? Meijer. A department store-with-groceries chain. The manager probably just thought it was cute that someone was calling the ham “tatty” and gave her a freebie because he thought her accent was hot. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501/100 "2009-11-26T18:12:27Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I was just thinking this earlier this evening. I think that all employees should be paid double on such holidays. No exemptions for any field of work. In some cases, employees should be drawing combat pay. > . OK, **IF** they are going to be open, then I agree, Double-time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-holiday-mini-rants-begin/518501.md?page=6)