Any american nurses working in a hospital in the USA that tells staff they can no longer say "Merry Christmas"? Are there hospitals here in our country that are forcing their staff to only say "happy holidays" and not allowing them to say "Merry Christmas"?
I'm just curious if this is becoming an issue in the nursing profession? I recently spoke to some public school teachers here in Florida who told me they can say happy holidays but they can't say Merry Christmas. I have read that many department stores and other retail businesses are no longer using the word Christmas, but replacing it with Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings.
I haven't heard of this being a trend in any hospitals in my area, but very curious if this is taking place in hospitals in other states?
Oh, please don't let this turn into a wingnut "war on Christmas" diatribe.
I interpreted it a little differently. I figured the poster was referring to those who get bent out of shape over percieved "political correctness run amuck" as the "wingnuts".
Am I supposed to ask before I wish someone a Happy Holidays? Are there other Christians who get offended when wished a happy holidays instead of a Merry Christmas? Here I thought I was including everyone who celebrated ANYTHING around this time of year--Christmas, Hanukkah, the solstice, New Year's Eve, Kwanzaa, whatever else there may be--but it appears I might be mistaken? Or was Alyx just displaying the antithesis of political correctness? I don't say it to be politically correct--I say it because in most cultures, there is some time of celebration around the new year, and I want everyone, no matter *what* they celebrate, to enjoy this time of year.
Is Alyx the minority among Christians? Or is the view that an all-encompassing Happy Holidays greeting is insulting more prevelant than I thought? This makes me sad. I really don't want to insult anyone, and I live in a queer place that mixes very traditional, bible-belt midwesterners with a very cosmopolitan and liberal university population. I don't want to offend any of the hard core born-agains, either. Maybe I should just stop saying anything unless the person wishes *me* something, so I know what I should say. This sucks.
Unfortunately, too many people believe that to make things fair, you have to eliminate the rights of the "merry Christmas" group. In this very forum---a professional forum, where good behavior usually runs rampant---those people were insinuated to be "wingnuts" by a respected member (with, as I type this, 11 'thank you' tags from other members).
Maybe they're annoyed because the rights of the "merry Christmas" group aren't really being eliminated. In a world where people are being killed- as I type this- because of their religious beliefs, it's grating that people who are free to celebrate their religion as they wish....with no repercussions whatsoever...complain. How lucky we are, too bad some of us don't know it.
But...it's the same holiday, still. Renaming it doesn't change the meaning of it. That's just semantics. If they don't celebrate Christmas, then why say anything at all?
Christmas is December 25th. Unless you're talking about that specific day, it's hardly semantics. If I had more time at hand I'd count just how many holidays fall from Thanksgiving to New Year's.
Unfortunately, too many people believe that to make things fair, you have to eliminate the rights of the "merry Christmas" group. In this very forum---a professional forum, where good behavior usually runs rampant---those people were insinuated to be "wingnuts" by a respected member (with, as I type this, 11 'thank you' tags from other members).
A) If your company forces you to say something, stupid as it may be, your rights are not being restricted. This stretches the definition of what constitutes a right.
B) I find it unlikely that the 15-20% of non-Christians in this country are willing or even able to restrict the rights of +80% of the population. This is a talking point pushed around by O'Reilly et al. this time of year, every year, without any actual substance. It has led to the polarization of "Merry Christmas!", thus leading almost to a self-fulfilling prophecy on the part of this particular aspect of the right.
But, the real point is, do you think it's ok to say "Merry Christmas"?
I, personally, don't really care what people say. I'm not offended by merry Christmas, and I'm not offended by not hearing it. If people that don't celebrate the Christ part of Christmas, I don't have any problems with them saying "Happy holidays" or whatever.
Unfortunately, too many people believe that to make things fair, you have to eliminate the rights of the "merry Christmas" group. In this very forum---a professional forum, where good behavior usually runs rampant---those people were insinuated to be "wingnuts" by a respected member (with, as I type this, 11 'thank you' tags from other members).
i'm as catholic as they come. i have a nativity set. i love christmas and it's true meaning.
however....
if i'm talking to someone who i absolutely know celebrates christmas, ie. my coworkers or my family and friends, then i will say merry christmas on christmas day. that's december 25th.
saying merry christmas all the time is kinda like only pinpointing one holiday. it would be like encompassing all the holidays celebrated, as hypocaff mentioned, and just calling them christmas. you don't really say "happy new year" and expect that to include easter, thanksgiving, martin luther king jr day, ramadan, pentacost, etc, etc, etc... right? cause it's too broad. so happy holidays makes sure no body is left out and leaves the door open for whatever holiday is being celebrated.
if i am speaking to patients, i say happy holidays. that way i think it is all inclusive and i dont take the risk of leaving anyone's celebration out.
my best friend is wiccan and my boss is jewish. i would not wish them a merry christmas. i would wish them a happy holidays.
just my thoughts on it.... no wingnuts included. :)
I wish people that I know to be Catholic or Christian a Merry Chistmas ... family members, friends from Church, etc...
Other than that, I see no reason not to wish a generalized "Happy Holidays" in good spirit, why should that be offensive? To me, happy holidays includes best wishes to whatever that person celebrates. I'm certainly not offended if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah!
I am really starting to hate this time of year because of this stupid debate. If I want to see a creche, there is a beautiful one at my church. I don't expect to see one at City Hall or any federal buildings. I don't care if people put up christmas decorations only to out-do their neighbors. I don't care if they spend hundreds of dollars on gifts and exchange them on the 25th, even if they don't believe in Christ. It just isn't any of my business. I'll continue to celebrate the way I want.
And I don't care if you wish me a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holidays. And if you just want to skip the whole sentiment, that's ok too!
The issue for me would be mandating by an employer, not to say "Merry Christmas".
I say "Have a great Thanksgiving" right before Thanksgiving and "Merry Christmas" right before Christmas and "Happy New Year" right before the New Year. It is hard to know if someone is celebrating the other holidays . .but if I know, I wish them a "Happy" one too.
I mentioned this recently - about a local Catholic hospital mandating NO talk of religion or politics at work - even in the break room.
The issue for me would be mandating by an employer, not to say "Merry Christmas".
I say "Have a great Thanksgiving" right before Thanksgiving and "Merry Christmas" right before Christmas and "Happy New Year" right before the New Year. It is hard to know if someone is celebrating the other holidays . .but if I know, I wish them a "Happy" one too.
I mentioned this recently - about a local Catholic hospital mandating NO talk of religion or politics at work - even in the break room.
Come on . . . .:icon_roll
steph
Well employers DO have the right to set those rules...
Maybe they are silly but it does prevent some offense.
BTW - It's not the Merry Christmas that's offensive. It's the looks and or comments or questions that usually come after. Especially if you mess up and let on that you don't celebrate Christmas...
You argue that you have a right to say it. By the same argument others have a right to not hear it. So... where is the middle ground???
Virgo_RN, BSN, RN
3,543 Posts
If you mean this comment:
I interpreted it a little differently. I figured the poster was referring to those who get bent out of shape over percieved "political correctness run amuck" as the "wingnuts".