# News flash: Non Christians are OK with being wished 'Merry Christmas (really!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 20, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065 "2008-12-20T14:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shallora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/1 "2008-12-20T14:07:52Z")
> [@My boss is Hindu - should I send him a card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-boss-is-hindu-should-i-send-him-a-card/477920/3): > > I think you’re over-thinking - just do it! “Season’s Greetings” is about as neutral as you’re going to get, and won’t offend anyone. Oh my Liberal guilt-o-meter detector just went to 11 when I read this on another thread. Is this person suggesting that saying “Merry Christmas” to someone would be offensive? To whom? To someone whom isn’t Christian? Nonsense. My Jewish friends say to me “Happy Hanukkah” and I’m happy (not offended). I have Italian friends who in March wish me “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” and they’re not Irish (they’re just saying it to me because I am) and I’m happy, not offended. I celebrate Oktoberfest celebrations with my German friends and they are happy I am participating, not offended because I’m not German. Similarly, when I wish a non-Christian “Merry Christmas” (such as to my Jewish friends) they sometimes even wish me “Merry Christmas” right back! So tell me out there, any of you non-Christians: **[SIZE=“4”]If someone says to you “Merry Christmas” are you offended? Really? I didn’t think so.[/SIZE]** So, please enlighten all the Liberals on this board that C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s is NOT a four-letter word. ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/2 "2008-12-20T14:32:42Z")
> [@shallora](#): > > If someone says to you “Merry Christmas” are you offended? Really? No. I’m an atheist and can be a vocal objector if I think someone is pushing a religious agenda inappropriately ([e.g.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=498335)) - But I’d _never_ consider “Merry Christmas” in that way. I don’t think **Dervorin** is representative of “Liberals”. ---
**Author:** ![shallora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/3 "2008-12-20T14:34:22Z")
My point exactly. ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/4 "2008-12-20T14:40:39Z")
> [@shallora](#): > > So, please enlighten all the Liberals on this board that C-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s is NOT a four-letter word. What did you mean by this? Perhaps I read it the wrong way. ---
**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 20, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/5 "2008-12-20T14:57:00Z")
If someone knows I’m Jewish and wishes me a “Merry Christmas”, yes, I’m a bit pissed off. It’s not a huge deal that I’ll end a friendship over, but I’ll try to educate them that it’s not appropriate. If it’s a stranger or someone who doesn’t know I’m Jewish, I’m more inclined to ignore it or I’ll just wish them Happy Hanukkah in response and they usually catch on. Stop trying to think for me, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/6 "2008-12-20T15:08:11Z")
I’m an Atheist and I not only don’t mind being wished a Merry Christmas, I often wish others a Merry Christmas (if they celebrate it). I celebrate Christmas, so why should I be offended? ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/7 "2008-12-20T15:09:14Z")
I’m an atheist and it doesn’t bother me in the least. It’s a nice thing to say, not an insult and I still call it Christmas too. I don’t think that the objection is tied to being a liberal but instead to being a strong atheist. I know plenty of conservative atheists. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/8 "2008-12-20T15:11:42Z")
Ex-pagan, now agnostic. It’s never bothered me. I mean, for _them_, it’s Christmas. And. . .they’re wishing for me to have a good one. It’s not like it’s a pointed insult or anything. I suppose that, back when I was pagan, if someone I knew was Christian, who knew I was Pagan, _pointedly_ said “Merry **Christmas** ,” I might get kinda peeved. . .but that’d be because the person was being a douche, not because the words are somehow offensive. ---
**Author:** ![shallora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/9 "2008-12-20T15:19:22Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > If someone knows I’m Jewish and wishes me a “Merry Christmas”, yes, I’m a bit pissed off. It’s not a huge deal that I’ll end a friendship over, but I’ll try to educate them that it’s not appropriate. If it’s a stranger or someone who doesn’t know I’m Jewish, I’m more inclined to ignore it or I’ll just wish them Happy Hanukkah in response and they usually catch on. > > Stop trying to think for me, thanks. Enlighten me on this. What’s to be pissed off about? Are you as equally pissed when someone says to you “Hello” in a foreign language? Are you just as offended that they didn’t take the time to learn your language just so that they could wish you “Hello” in the proper tongue (i.e., yours)? Do you get “pissed” when someone says to you “Guten Tag” or “Bonjour” or “Hola”? Should I, in turn, be equally “pissed” when someone wishes me “Happy Holidays” because I don’t celebrate them all (plural): I only celebrate one – Christmas – this time of year? Perhaps the next person that wishes me “Happy _Holidays_” (plural) maybe I should somehow rudely correct them and tell them “No, Happy _Holiday_” (singular)? Merry Christmas, my Jewish friend. And if you would happen to wish me Happy Hanukkah, I’d be delighted! Because I knew that you were simply sharing with me a compliment in your religion and extending me good will. What’s to be pissed about? And doesn’t it work both ways? It’s funny that those who complain about how we need more diversity in America are the same ones who want to eliminate the very diversity in cultural and religious celebration wishes this time of year. Ironic, huh? ---
**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 20, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/10 "2008-12-20T15:29:17Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > If someone knows I’m Jewish and wishes me a “Merry Christmas”, yes, I’m a bit pissed off. It’s not a huge deal that I’ll end a friendship over, but I’ll try to educate them that it’s not appropriate. If it’s a stranger or someone who doesn’t know I’m Jewish, I’m more inclined to ignore it or I’ll just wish them Happy Hanukkah in response and they usually catch on. > > Stop trying to think for me, thanks. Well this is the reason why I don’t wish strangers a “Merry Christmas” anymore. I say something like “Have a Happy Holiday” or “Enjoy the Holidays”. Knowing that Christmas has no religious meaning to me, I feel odd that people do take offense to it but I was aware that some do. Obviously I never mind being wished a Merry Christmas or Happy Easter but I understand others do. As an agnostic and very lapse Roman Catholic I also don’t mind and occasionally use Xmas as I often use short versions when writing. Xmas, Thru, w/ & w/o, and three letters for the months. I have been breaking myself of this habit though as the SDMB does not seem to appreciate such shortcuts. BTW: Do you prefer the Hanukkah to Chanukah? Thanks to my wife who is Jewish I use Chanukah. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/11 "2008-12-20T15:49:24Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Stop trying to think for me, thanks. Touchy much? My first year at college, coming back from the break I met a friend in the hallway and stopped to chat. I believe the first words out of my mouth were “Get anything good for Christmas?” Followed by a big mental :smack: as I remembered she was Jewish. I wasn’t trying to think for her–I wasn’t thinking at all. No offense was meant. But when you’re saying stuff like that to everyone, you’re not always going to stop and think ‘does this person celebrate Christmas?’ before saying it. Merry Christmas! Take it as it’s meant–a wish of happiness for you. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/12 "2008-12-20T15:56:02Z")
Coming from a very mixed family (we’ve now got Christianity (including Methodists and Greek Orthodox), Judaism, Hinduism, Bhuddism), absolutely not. Happy Holidays is probably more accurate, though we’ve always celebrated and continue to celebrate Christmas as our primary winter holiday. I’m always a little confused by people getting so ticked off by someone wishing them Merry Christmas. It’s a positive sentiment and nowadays is considered a secular as well as religious holiday. It seems like you’re looking a gift horse in the mouth to get ticked when someone wishes you Merry Christmas. Kind of like when someone says “God bless you” when you sneeze. Be happy someone didn’t say, “Get your fucking germs away from me, you cretin” or give you the Look of Death. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/13 "2008-12-20T16:07:01Z")
I tend to say “Happy holidays” more than “Merry Christmas” (although I use both) not because I’m afraid I’ll offend someone, but because I like being a little more inclusive with my holiday greetings. And, er, I certainly don’t go out of my way to say “Merry Christmas” to friends that I know are Jewish. It’s a holiday they don’t celebrate. Why would I wish them a good one? And, again, it’s not that I’m concerned they’ll be offended; it just seems odd to specifically wish a good holiday to someone that you know does not celebrate that particular holiday. ---
**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 20, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/14 "2008-12-20T16:10:36Z")
> [@shallora](#): > > Enlighten me on this. What’s to be pissed off about? I’m not Christian, they know it, and I don’t celebrate Christmas. How is this a nice thing to do? It’s simply not polite, IMO. While many folks think of Christmas as a secular holiday, I’ve never felt that way. I would never wish a Christian friend an easy fast on Yom Kippur for the same reason. > [@](#): > > It’s funny that those who complain about how we need more diversity in America are the same ones who want to eliminate the very diversity in cultural and religious celebration wishes this time of year. Ironic, huh? No, not at all. This isn’t about diversity, it’s simply common courtesy. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. I have no problem with those who do and I’ve accepted that it’s pervasive in our culture. But I don’t (even though I love Christmas music). Wish me a Happy Holidays and I won’t blink an eye. Wish me Merry Christmas and I cringe a little inside. People who know me don’t do that, people who don’t know me I try to gently educate to my preference. Why is that a big deal? ---
**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 20, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/15 "2008-12-20T16:16:40Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > It’s a positive sentiment and nowadays is considered a secular as well as religious holiday. I guess this is the crux of the issue. I’ve never considered Christmas a secular holiday. To atheists it seems to take on the mantel of the generic winter celebration but to me as a Jew it never has (even though I’m pretty much an atheist as well). I recognize the positive sentiment, but with just a slight change to the terminology it can be both positive and non-offensive. I don’t think that’s too much to ask of people who know me. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/16 "2008-12-20T16:19:12Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Great Debates. ---
**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 20, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/17 "2008-12-20T16:23:33Z")
> [@Jayn\_Newell](#): > > Touchy much? Not all non-Christians are OK with being wished “Merry Christmas”. Really. 🙂 The OP was assuming that she really knew that I wasn’t offended by it and she was dead wrong. > [@](#): > > Merry Christmas! Take it as it’s meant–a wish of happiness for you. But if they know I don’t celebrate Christmas, and I don’t wish to be wished a “Merry Christmas”, then it’s not really appropriate, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/18 "2008-12-20T16:31:27Z")
I don’t mind saying or recieving a Merry Christmas, or any wish along similar religious lines (though I guess “Happy Human Sacrifice Day!” might get a bit worrisome, especially if they’re carrying a knife and fork). I think in cases where people don’t want to be wished a Merry Christmas, the offensiveness is not so much in the religious part of it, but rather the fact that you’re ignoring their wishes. If I say “how’s your baby doing?” to someone that’s just had a miscarriage, my offense isn’t in the sentiments expressed, but in the fact that i’m not taking into account what _they_ think. Surely it is the far greater compliment to take what they think into account, rather than to use a generic greeting? If you know their wishes in advance, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/19 "2008-12-20T16:35:28Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > But if they know I don’t celebrate Christmas, and I don’t wish to be wished a “Merry Christmas”, then it’s not really appropriate, is it? My point is that there’s no thought process for many people before saying something like that–it’s a habit. I don’t stop to think if a person I know celebrates it before wishing it upon them–it’s something I would say to anyone. There’s a bit of a ‘doh’ moment after if I know that they don’t, but by that point the words are already out of my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065/20 "2008-12-20T16:41:22Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I guess this is the crux of the issue. I’ve never considered Christmas a secular holiday. Actually, in a recent thread, we had a significantly large number of posters arguing that Christmas is merely the current name assigned to the ancient secular celebration of the solstice over which a relatively thin veneer of one religion has been placed, based on the overwhelming numbers of people practicing various forms of that religion in this country. You can choose to be as offended as you need to be, but I think your argument, here, is flawed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065.md?page=2)