is it a big deal for not saying Merry Christmas?
By kyrararen
@kyrararen (601)
Indonesia
December 23, 2015 11:22pm CST
do you think it'll hurt? I really like hanging out with my friends. I really enjoy talking and spending time with them especially in holidays. the christmas is one of the holidays but I guess my friends like to spend their time with their families instead. it's just because I have different faith, I don't really say merry christmas to any of my friends that has different faith with me.
Do you think it will hurt them? personally I don't know. for me when I have religious holiday, I won't really be bothered if any of my friends do nor don't do it to me.
is it a big deal not to say it?
5 people like this
7 responses
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
24 Dec 15
There is some stupidity over the term "happy/merry Christmas" I hate the term "Happy Holidays" because it is meaningless. I was raised in an atheist family and during the course of my life have had friends and colleagues in all the faiths under the sun and each has wished their friends and colleagues "happy/merry Christmas" when the season comes around. I am also married into a Muslim family and if I didn't wish them Merry Christmas they would wonder what was up because I have wished it to them all in my past, so why would I change now.
Most people accept Christmas for the worldwide event it has become and take the well wishing in the best of spirit.
1 person likes this
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
for what I believe, wishing merry Christmas is not in line with my faith. I don't know which is worse, to say meaningless merry christmas or intentional happy holiday. I just wanted to know if it is offensive not to say merry Christmas at all.
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
@pgiblett in here, we have the holiday too in 24-25 December. I am aware of the day Christians are celebrating. yet seriously, do they feel offended for someone who doesn't share the same beliefs not to take part in it? I enjoy the holiday, I don't make a fuss to my christians friends nor disturbing their time when christmas come.
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
24 Dec 15
@kyrararen Most Christians are offended by "Happy Holidays". I think not recognising the day could be seen by some as an offense. I have wished people of many faiths christmas wishes without them taking offense and that is becuase they live in the west and are affected in part by the holiday.
In Saudi Arabia most Muslims take the day off work because Isa is one of their major prophets.
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
thanks. I just wonder what kind of respect is considerate as respect here.
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
24 Dec 15
How about Happy Holidays (it would be universal). I don't say Merry Christmas to everyone because I don't want to offend them. But if I know they celebrate Christmas, I will but if I don't know them - I will say Happy Holidays.
1 person likes this
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
I just don't say anything at all actually. To avoid the awkwardness I say happy holiday yet I rarely do that. instead of saying happy holiday/merry christmas I just talk to them of what they did/ will do in christmas holiday. but thank you for being considerate. if somebody tell me merry christmas I won't be offended though.
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
oh wow, really? this is actually the first time I heard it. in Indonesia actually the government encouraged people to say merry christmas, shown by the leader of the country saying it on tv. anyway, thank you for responding this. now I don't feel as bad when I don't say it. my friends nagged me and accused me of being racist and not tolerant for not saying it, she's not even christian, I was baffled so I asked if it is a really big deal not to say it.
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
thank you so much for your response. it is really assuring that when I don't say it, doesn't mean I offend christians.
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60794)
• Perth, Australia
24 Dec 15
I personally don't see how not saying Merry Christmas could be a big deal. If it was a big deal to them then it is rather childish to get angry about it when you don't share the same faith. You respect them I'm sure, for their beliefs and they should be doing the same with you.
1 person likes this
@kyrararen (601)
• Indonesia
24 Dec 15
thank you so much for the response. I don't hear from my christian friends if they are really bothered by it. we have this custom not to be open about it if we were bothered by our friends, so I don't hear any of their complains in particular regarding this. but I my friends from the same faith as me nagged that it is wrong not to say it because she said this is a must so our christian friends won't feel alienated.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69008)
• United States
25 Dec 15
Unless I'm in company that I know isn't Christian I say "Merry Christmas." The name of the holiday is Christmas. People don't say "happy holidays" at Easter time (despite the fact that there are two different religions celebrating holidays about the same time [that won't happen in 2016, but that's for another time]). People don't have trouble saying "Happy St. Patrick's Day" or "Happy New Year," so why is there a stigma attached to using the name Christmas for the holiday? People aren't being asked to convert to Christianity if someone says "Merry Christmas," it's merely a wish for a good day. Whoever balks at a simple wish like that for their lives just can't have a merry anything.
