# Person who doesn't respond at all to "Happy holidays" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 15, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906 "2019-12-15T20:26:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/21 "2019-12-16T19:24:51Z")
> [@MortSahlFan](#): > > Or those who aren’t religious don’t want to be hypocrites and take part as if they were a member of some organized religion. But Happy Holidays is a pretty secular greeting (yes, holiday comes from holy day, but very people think that way any more). The festival of Festivus could fall under Holidays after all! ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/22 "2019-12-16T19:46:54Z")
I’d probably answer the silence with a smart-ass response, like “Well, Bah Humbug to you, then!” But others upthread are right: this person could be grieving, and maybe things just aren’t happy right now. Continued encounters should be met with a smile and nod. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/23 "2019-12-16T20:57:18Z")
Maybe he doesn’t want the pressure you’re putting on him to have a happy holiday? Maybe, just maybe, he’s had 10 happy holidays in a row, and by God, he’s ready for a crappy holiday. apologies to George Carlin ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/24 "2019-12-16T21:03:50Z")
I had a coworker who was highly religious and had that whole ‘white christians are victims’ complex going on, so I gave him a christmas card that said ‘happy holidays to someone who thinks this card should say merry christmas’. He was not amused. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/25 "2019-12-17T14:33:51Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > I’m waiting to hit 80 and be able to say…"What’s HAPPY about the HOLIDAYS! and “GOOD MORNING!? What’s GOOD about it!” 😃 Who says you have to wait until you’re 80? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/26 "2019-12-17T14:58:36Z")
That’s kind of obnoxious. Is there any possibility he didn’t hear you? I’m guessing unlikely, but trying to give the benefit of the doubt. I’m projecting, but sometimes I totally zone out, especially if caught in the middle of doing something. That said, even as an atheist, I always say Merry Christmas if someone says it to me. I’d take the recommendations noted above - if he’s not responding to it, just say Hi instead of Happy Holidays and leave it at that. If you feel comfortable enough to ask you can just say, “Hey, are you okay?” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/27 "2019-12-17T15:11:48Z")
Just ask him… then tell us! This guy is driving me crazy… it’s keeping me from having any happy holidays. ---
**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 17, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/28 "2019-12-17T16:16:51Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Is there any possibility he didn’t hear you? My hearing is about as bad as it can be and still benefit from a hearing aid. That said, even with my hearing aid I miss a lot if I’m not concentrating on the speaker, or if there is _any_ background noise. I’ve had many situations where I’ve discovered after the fact that I didn’t hear a person. People have felt offended, angry, or hurt by my lack of response. The funniest ones are the situations where my non-response is interpreted in a very specific way. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/29 "2019-12-17T18:44:43Z")
If he has a messiah complex and it was Easter season, I could understand him feeling a little _prickly_. But, Christmastime? Maybe he’s doubting that whole _“mom says she was knocked up by a ghost”_ story? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/30 "2019-12-17T19:13:41Z")
I can think of two: 1. He is either an atheist or of a religion that does not celebrate any of the December holidays. And he’s being a dick about not acknowledging that these holidays exist and it is a time of year where it is traditional to wish happiness to those around you, and that it is possible to do so without proselytizing. And New Year is a holiday too. 2. He is a Christian who is offended by anything that attempts to suppress Christianity because after all we are a nation of Christians established by Christians. And he’s being a dick. > [@justanothermike](#): > > As a former Jehovah’s Witness, such expressions of holiday cheer were tough. OK, three. I used to work with a JW who would not participate in our monthly office birthday celebration. This consisted of serving a cake and naming the people with birthdays that month. And I won’t say this is a dick move but listen to what [this ex-JW](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JF8KY65/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) had to say. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/31 "2019-12-17T19:18:33Z")
I would experiment… Next time say Merry Christmas and note the response. Then altermate and see if all are ignored or only Happy Holidays. And then a “Your pants are unzipped” to see if they are even listening. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/32 "2019-12-17T19:50:58Z")
You could try saying that you hope he has a peaceful winter solstice. Who could argue with that? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/33 "2019-12-18T06:44:17Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Just ask him… then tell us! > > This guy is driving me crazy… it’s keeping me from having any happy holidays. You’ve just given him his Christmas present! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/34 "2019-12-18T06:50:50Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The only December holiday I celebrate is my birthday. Whenever anyone wishes me anything else, I just say “Thank you. You too.” Irony alert! User name/post combo. (You knew this was coming!) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/36 "2019-12-18T14:55:48Z")
Not everybody likes Christmas. Maybe the acquaintance was miffed because he hadn’t gotten around to shopping yet, or had to put up with obnoxious relatives visiting, or was thinking about how convoluted his schedule would be, or any number of reasons, and didn’t want to air his grievances after you wished him well. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/37 "2019-12-18T15:12:51Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I have an acquaintance to whom, twice, I wished “Happy holidays”, and both were met with absolute silence. He didn’t say “you too” or “thanks” or “no thanks” or anything whatsoever. Not even “Bah! Humbug!” He is otherwise a friendly, polite person. > > Can anyone explain this? He’s obviously made other plans for the holidays and doesn’t want to be told what to do. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/38 "2019-12-18T16:08:28Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I have an acquaintance to whom, twice, I wished “Happy holidays”, and both were met with absolute silence. He didn’t say “you too” or “thanks” or “no thanks” or anything whatsoever. Not even “Bah! Humbug!” He is otherwise a friendly, polite person. > > Can anyone explain this? I’m wondering if at some point he wished you Merry Christmas and you replied back Happy Holidays. That comeback could be interpreted as either somewhat akin to political correctness, or a rejection of Christianity. I can see both being viewed negatively, and someone declining to interact with you based or their interpretation of such a reply. If someone wished me Happy Hanukah, I’d reply back Happy Hanukah to them, even though I’m not Jewish. Replying back Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays would seem to be verbally diminishing an occasion they care about. It’s a small thing to be offended about, but some people are sensitive. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/39 "2019-12-18T16:15:29Z")
I find that “Right back atcha, slick” is the perfect one-size-fits-all reply for overly-specific greetings and well-wishes that I cannot in good conscience reply to on par. ---
**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 18, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/40 "2019-12-18T16:16:01Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > That actually occurred to me. But I think I’ll just skip the subject from now on. That is by far the best choice. For whatever reason he doesn’t respond, don’t pick at it. Life is too short to worry about a greeting being snubbed. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906/41 "2019-12-18T19:05:11Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The only December holiday I celebrate is my birthday. You must be awfully young yet. When you get a little older it will be “No, another year has flashed by so quickly”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-who-doesnt-respond-at-all-to-happy-holidays/844906.md?page=3)