WTF Stories of the Week

[Betty]

I can't tell if comments like this are real or trollish:

Comment: Very offended by the recent advertisement. How dare they suggest we celebrate what we want? This is a Christian nation.

[Alex]

Sure, I certainly feel more symptathy, empathy, and satisfaction in some of the issues than others. And I find many of their comments offensive.

But I still think the desire to limit gather together, identify, and then operate only within that circle of ideological security comes from the same place (we just disdain their view more than others).

[Ghoulish Delight]

"Was wished a Happy Hanukkah as I left the store. When I stopped and explained I was Christian, the lady at the counter told me 'Happy Holidays!' This was very offensive!"

I don't think I would have said Happy Holidays. I think I would have said, "That's okay, you're still allowed to be happy during Hanukkah, even if you're Christian." And not to be snide, it's just kinda my pat response, and it's pretty much what I think to myself when on the other end of that (being an atheist Jew who has just been wished a Merry Christmas). I wonder if this person's head would have exploded at that.

[Alex]

When people say "Happy Birthday" to me I don't respond "hey, I'm not the narcissist you obviously are to think that being born is somehow a special event and failure to die is worthy of note."

I got over that, and now I just take it in the spirit in which it was intended. This store employee obviously intended "Happy Hanukkah" to mean "we've marked you as a Jew and the clean up squad will be visiting your home this evening." So it was very important for the customer to clarify the situation.

[Moonliner]

And....

If these folks want to be so damn picky, Technically It's not Christmas or Hanukkah yet. "Happy Advent" would the the correct Christian greeting until Christmas eve.

[JWBear]

Extreme Christians have single-handedly been fighting The War On Christmas for a very long time. They even switched sides at one point! Link

[Alex]

You have to wait until 12/25 before you can express a desire that people be merry on 12/25?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex

You have to wait until 12/25 before you can express a desire that people be merry on 12/25?

Technically, Yes.

The season of Advent is the four weeks leading up to Dec. 25th*

The Christmas season begins at sundown on 24 December and ends at sundown on 5 January. AKA the 12 days of Christmas.


From a semantic point of view, I suppose you could say "I wish you a Marry Christmas" but just "Marry Christmas" is technically incorrect but generally socially acceptable.

* And yes, as most people know December 25th is not Christ's real birthday. I don't' think that's even know for sure. It was chosen primarily to co-op existing pagans celebrations.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

From a semantic point of view, I suppose you could say "I wish you a Marry Christmas" but just "Marry Christmas" is technically incorrect

I don't think I agree with you here, but I suppose it isn't a particularly life-vital point.

How about if I say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" on December 23. Am I wrong twice even though it is pretty clear I don't think today is both of those days?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex

I don't think I agree with you here, but I suppose it isn't a particularly life-vital point.

How about if I say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" on December 23. Am I wrong twice even though it is pretty clear I don't think today is both of those days?

I suppose we could settle and just break one kneecap.

Oh and do keep in mind that this entire train of thought came up in relation to how irrational people deal with Christmas. Personally I just appreciate the sentiment when wished good will for pretty much any reason or time of year.