Is the world getting too sensitive? Happy Holidays to you!
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
November 14, 2017 11:54am CST
As we are already into November (wow time flies!) I thought I would write a piece about another area of how I think people are getting too touchy these days.
The whole "Merry Christmas"/"Happy Holidays" debate.
Now, growing up - we didn't celebrate Christmas. We celebrated the older celebration of Winter Solstice or Yule. So we quickly got on to wishing people happy holidays. It seemed like the most accurate thing to do because it covered whatever they may celebrate or not celebrate. And, after awhile it became the trendy thing to do in society - for that reason.
Now - at least a certain faction of people are offended by the"Happy Holidays" greeting. I think the reasoning is that indeed Dec. 25th is Christmas (which the majority of people in this area celebrate) and if you need the majority (who would say "Merry Christmas") to change to "Happy Holidays" just because *you* are the one who observes something different then you are too sensitive, etc.
Well, we still keep our main celebrating on the 21st or 22nd of December (the Solstice also called Yule) but we also do get together on the 25th for Christmas usually doing something untraditional (since we don't have extended family to get together with) - like we will watch a movie and go to the local Chinese restaurant for example.
Personally -- I really don't get offended either way. If someone says "Merry Christmas" to me, I'm fine with that, and it's nice. If someone says "Happy Holidays" I think that is equally as nice. Come to think on it - it hasn't happened - but if someone were to say "Joyous Kwanza" or "Happy Hanukkah" I would think this is equally great too. I don't get all offended and bent out of shape because someone either took the "safe" route and said "Happy Holidays" (which fits my celebrating the closest) nor am I offended that they didn't say have a "Super Solstice" or a "Jubilant Yule" .
People better watch out, I may start wishing everyone a "Fantastic Festivus" or something. lol.
What do you make of it.
Here is the famous "Festivus" scene from Seinfeld :
31 people like this
29 responses
@marguicha (222756)
• Chile
14 Nov 17
Fortunately that does not happen in my country. No one is offended herre when we say Merry Christmas, except maybe Jehova´s Witnesses.
5 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Thank goodness. I think (as long as people are being kind and not intentionally harmful) then people need to be less sensitive
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222756)
• Chile
15 Nov 17
@FayeHazel Of course. I don´t think that it is a matter of being sensitive. I think that it is more intolerance.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
16 Nov 17
@marguicha Intolerance rears it's ugly head yet again
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Nov 17
Happy Holidays was always nearly as used as Merry Christmas because it also encompassed Thanksgiving and New Year's.
5 people like this
@lady1993 (27224)
• Philippines
16 Nov 17
@FayeHazel 
i guess big companies have ti worse since they have to offend as little people as possible
i guess big companies have ti worse since they have to offend as little people as possible1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Yes, it's a big issue over here. Last year Starbucks coffee changed their coffee cup to a winter scene instead of a holiday greeting. Some people were offended by that, too
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
14 Nov 17
I don't say anything to anyone anymore, they are so touchy. That was a good scene Festivus
5 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Lol! I can see why you would feel that way, too. My favorite scene from the show
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339430)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 17
@LoriAMoore That's marvellous! I think that is really very kind.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
@LoriAMoore Oh, that is very kind. :-)
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
I agree totally. I think when people are being kind then we should be less sensitive. There are plenty of opportunities to be hurt with the cruelty of people in today's world....
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Nov 17
@FayeHazel - Thank you. You too!
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
I used to pick cards that said Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays. Now I pick cards where I like the scene and message - doesn't matter to me if it says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Me too! I hope the spread good vibes throughout. :-)
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Nov 17
I loved that show! I say Merry Christmas but none of the others offend me.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
14 Nov 17
Family tradition is just that, family tradition. What a person carries in their heart, is a personal thing. It's a one on one relationship, between them and God. How that is celebrated or acted out, is totally personal. It's really noone else's business. God created this universe, the people didn't!
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
15 Nov 17
@FayeHazel And what comes from both society or family, can be pretty harsh and mean:(
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
16 Nov 17
@kobesbuddy So true. It does sadden me that - it seems like most Atheists - their problem isn't with God - their problem is with Religion / man .... God and Religion are not always the same at least in my outlook
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
I agree totally. Beautifully put. What a person feels is between them and God - the rest is traditions of society or family.
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20255)
•
14 Nov 17
I heard from some radio stations about how people in certain countries have become very sensitive lately about this sort of greetings. Weird to me. (since when that they have become so sensitive like that? Freedom of speech is OK, but to be too critical of everything is just above me.)
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Oh yes, very true. I don't know why but it seems like everyone is sensitive about everything here now.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
16 Nov 17
@YrNemo True! I'm all for freedom of speech but like you point out - it has gone so far that it is now going backward
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20255)
•
15 Nov 17
@FayeHazel Next, we will be told to not saying or greeting anything or we might offend someone somewhere. Freedom of speech goes into reverse!
1 person likes this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
14 Nov 17
Whatever someone says to me is fine. I tend to say Merry Christmas... its hard not to. I mean seriously everywhere we go now, everything is lighted up in Christmas Themes and stuff.
I grew up in a strong Catholic house hold. Adopted Family was also Jewish. No one had any issues being told Merry Christmas... you know, they did their ~ week long celebration, we did our own thing. I still exchanged Christmas presents with my BFF.
If anyone is being nice and friendly, that should be appreciated. It would be different if they were going around saying mean things and being insulting.
But to get mad over someone being nice and friendly? just shows how poor character some people are getting. :(
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
I know, it's getting too far out of hand.
I agree with you 100%. Sometimes I say Merry Christmas, and sometimes I say Happy Holidays based on my mood.
People are being nice and kind....
1 person likes this
@bigshow9773 (651)
• Edgewood, Maryland
14 Nov 17
the world is to sensitive because they find fought in things they didnt before not sure why but they do
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
I agree. I don't know what's causing it.
1 person likes this
@LightMan123 (109)
• Canada
15 Nov 17
I agree that many people have extremely thin skins and they will cause issues when there are none.
If someone wants to say "Happy Holiday", I see nothing wrong with it. Nobody should be forced.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
I agree. I don't mind what holiday greeting is extended to me -- I will just be happy that people are kind. :-)
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
15 Nov 17
I suppose I am a bit luckier because I can say "Feliz Navidad" or "Felizes Fiestas" the latter one can mean "Happy Holidays".
However I come from Great Britain and "Merry Christmas" will always be "Merry Christmas" for us.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Lol! The song "Feliz Navidad" gets stuck in my head.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
15 Nov 17
@FayeHazel
Oh, yes that´s right.
I forgot for a moment that is a song too.
Never mind by tomorrow all forgotten.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
16 Nov 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 But I'm reading it now, lol! "Feliz Navidad, I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!" lol
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6757)
• United Kingdom
15 Nov 17
I am not a christian, but I live in a predominantly christian country.We get Christmas Day and Boxing Day as public holidays, so of course I am happy.
I've never heard of Festivus, but I wish you a fantastic one.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6757)
• United Kingdom
15 Nov 17
@FayeHazel No, it's not "Just curious" 
On Boxing Day, the usual greeting is, "Was Santa good to you?", or, "Back to work tomorrow?"
If we are both here this 26th December, I'll send you a special Boxing Day greeting. 
On Boxing Day, the usual greeting is, "Was Santa good to you?", or, "Back to work tomorrow?"
If we are both here this 26th December, I'll send you a special Boxing Day greeting. 1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
16 Nov 17
@Orson_Kart Cmon... "just curious" was a good guess, wasn't it? lol
Oh cool! I will look forward to that boxing day greeting :-)
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Ah yes - what is the customary Boxing Day greeting? Just curious?
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60951)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Nov 17
@FayeHazel I light an old oil lamp on The Solstice evening. Sometimes I go out into the night and walk the property, letting the vibes take over.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
29 Nov 17
Oh so cool! I think you're the only other person outside of family who knows it/ celebrates it. Happy Yule!
1 person likes this
