I'll be the first to admit that mindfulness is a good thing, and that it is (or probably should be) part of common courtesy to be aware that different people celebrate the holidays in different ways. And some people don't celebrate the holidays at all.
Fine.
I'm sure most who read this-- especially if you live in the USA-- are aware of the ongoing discussions, arguments and even controversies over that you "can" and "can't" say to someone during the holidays.
In the "Good Old Days"
A picture from our house, a couple of years back
When I was a kind-- in the 1960's and 1970's-- you pretty much just said "Merry Christmas," and people either said "thank you" or maybe they replied "Actually, we're Jewish," in which case you replied... "Oh, sorry, in that case Happy Hanukkah!"
And then everyone pretty much moved on and had their own version of some kind of Happy Holiday.
Of course, we don't DO that, anymore...
Now we have all manners of "cultural sensitivity" to remember... and it's hard to know what to say, anymore.
The irony of that is that we used to be free and happy and joyous and stuff... but now we're suddenly all anxious and fearful... worried that we are going to say "the wrong thing" and offend someone. So many of us just hold our tongue and say nothing.
If you step back from the whole "cultural" thing for a moment... can you see how the direct impact of "sensitivity rules" has actually served to make us LESS FRIENDLY? We can no longer just express spontaneous cheer... we have to worry about a bunch of "rules."
And what's more... on the receiving end, it seems like more and more people are actively "looking for reasons to feel offended."
WTF, mate?
REALLY Overheard! (I Work in the Retail Industry)
How about some ROCKS for the holidays?
As some of you know, Mrs. Denmarkguy and I have a small art gallery... which is located next to a candle shop. The candle shop-- no surprise-- is particularly busy at this time of the year.
And yesterday it happened!
I actually heard a whole new level of... ridiculousness(?)... on the scale of cultural sensitivity. This is an actual statement, as I overheard it:
"Have a Happy Holiday Season... but Only if You Want to."
No, this person was not being flip, they were being dead serious. And probably sincerely believed that they had attained a new level of uber-mindfulness.
I heard that, and I thought to myself "Aren't we all just taking ourselves a little bit to damn seriously?"
What do YOU think? How does the whole "holiday greeting terminology" controversy seem to you? Is it truly mindful, or have we gone overboard? Are we paying so much attention to "not offending" people that we are actually separating ourselves from each other? Does it bother you if someone offers a holiday greeting that doesn't reflect how YOU approach the holidays? Or do you just accept their greeting in the spirit of good cheer? Have we all lost our minds... forgetting that this is "the season of giving and good cheer?" Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!
created by @zord189(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Created at 171220 09:38 PDT
i think that a festival may originate from a particular culture, but celebration is for everyone. In our country, the two major religions are Islam and Hinduism - during the Eid festival, the hindus also enjoys the celebration, some of my hindu friends come to eid celebration and join the feasts and other festivities. Muslims also joins and enjoy their religious festivals like Durga Puja. we eat together, sing together, hangout together - make the most of all the festivals together regardless of which religion we are from. And i believe, that's what festivals should all be about, sharing happiness with everyone.
-- I prefer that over all these controversy nonsense. Merry Christmas my friend, I wish you Happy Holidays :)
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That, to me, is the "spirit of the season." So many traditions celebrate-- in their won way-- the turning of the year; the turning of the light. I think it does everyone a disservice to sit and argue over who is doing it "correctly." Let us all just celebrate together!
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Count me in :)
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<3 exactly. When I lived in Muslim countries - I certainly never turned down an Iftar/Eid invite because I wasn't Muslim. I was never offended when greeted with Ramadan Kareem in the office! Love your take, why can't we just share and celebrate? Isn't that what a 'melting pot' is all about? Especially nowadays - with Christmas so far removed from its religious roots - my friends of all religions - from Hindus to Jews to atheists often have a Christmas tree and exchange gifts...
I don't understand how anyone could be offended by 'Merry Christmas'! Too many grinches in the world ;-)
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i know right!!?? - how can a greeting be offensive ?? - I forgot to mention the Ramadan in my previous comment, thank you for being so supportive. the world would have been a better place if all of us could get the true message of the religions. All the religions are for making the world peaceful for every human being, not to create distance.
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When practiced as 'they should be' - I agree. I'll admit to being more a make my own religion type (though was raised VERY christian - wasn't allowed to trick or treat cause it was considered a pagan holiday kind of christian lol) - but those people I know who truly believe in their God(s) never preach - they have a zen air about them - they respect people of other faiths even if they don't agree.
One of my best friends, an Indian Muslim woman I met back in 2004 while living in Dubai - that's her. There's nothing I can't share with her. She's been like a spiritual guide to me over the years, she flew me to her family's home in Rajesthan (sp) for her sister's wedding, she's just...a soul friend - though we live on different continents, I talk to her now more than ever. I'm not going to go and say she represents every Muslim on the planet - just like, though I think the current pope is an amazing guy (regardless of religion - I wouldn't say he represents all Christians.
But the always long winded point I'm trying to illustrate is what you said above lol.
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i got your point, you have illustrated it well :) Respecting other's beliefs even if you don't agree is the secret to world peace , i think
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:-) And that religion/belief CAN be a very positive force when it's more about the individual's personal connection to God/Allah/Etc than about promoting a doctrine. And definitely what you just said!
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agreed :)
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The pendulum has swung to far. We have political correctness to the nth degree. In Canada we can longer have Christmas trees in public places because it might offend someone. No one says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays because it might offend someone. No Christmas carols either. seasonal music. This has come about since we have let in a great number of refugees. I am sorry. When someone takes you in or you moved to another country as we did, you follow the customs of that country. You don't go around telling people that you are offended because you have a Christmas tree. It used to be that countries were melting pots. People shared customs around holidays. Now it just seems to be every man or mouse for themselves.
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Oh Canada... :-( NYC is pretty bad too - my boyfriend's daughter and nieces aren't allowed to sing religious Christmas carols in their school performances because it could offend non Christians. (never mind that no one of any religion was complaining in the first place !). I don't consider myself Christian - though raised in a ridiculously religious home- but Christmas is culture to me!
People are missing the point. You know what's funny - I don't think that any of this hostility actually comes from immigrant groups? It's more likely to be the so-called progressives in the US (or Canada). But it gets blamed on 'others' because we need the whole clash of civilizations and it sells headlines :-/
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Bad news sells. Happy news doesn't. 😠
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Too true. Merry Christmas! ;-)
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Political correctness is like a weapon used to kill whatever you find holy in life. It’s like that ultimate attempt to “please” everyone. Funny thing about trying to please everyone is it tends to please very few.
People for whatever reason expect you to know what ever religion and all their holidays. It’s why I for most part will say happy Christmas. Because no matter what words you use it’s going piss of some special “person.”
I do tend to use “happy holidays” when I want to be more “advertiser friendly” and on a few other slipups because everyone know a day’s says it. That is also what that term means to me –go spend money at a store. Its how they have twisted the true meaning of religion around into an unholy spending matrimony. Here in America not everyone goes Christmas shopping but almost everyone is willing to go holiday shopping.
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I don't understand why people get upset over these things.
There is a Facebook thing going around, asking people to limit the number of gifts that your child receives from Santa, so that other kids don't feel bad.
lol, everyone has gone crazy.
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Yup, everyone seems to have gone crazy.
And an awful lot of people seem to be actively on the lookout for things they can be offended over. Seriously? Why don't they just sit themselves down and have a food time!
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Who needs a good time when you can have a food time ! haha - autocorrect just made a fun phrase. Good time may be subjective...but I think every human on the planet can get behind - and enjoy - a food time ;-)
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Now as a former spoiled brat child - I totally advocate teaching your kids the importance of giving, and not being demanding little ungrateful poopheads...but what is it with our world that makes us care so much what everyone else thinks?! In addition to blaming an apparently lost society lol - I think some of these things aren't really big issues. (Though I'm not a fan of giving a kid everything on their list - this is 'Merica darn it, and I certainly support your right to spend $$$ as you choose lol)
The problem with social media is that a few 'influencers' can tweet their opinions - ie "there's a war on Christmas" or "Merry Christmas is offensive" - and they immediately become the 'voice' of an entire population. That generates headlines and skewed polls, and bam! there's the talking point on CNN/FOX for the evening news.
All this getting offended is offensive. We can whittle away the English language to almost nothing - we can erase holidays, fiddle with meanings of words...but intentions are what matters.
If I say "Wow, you look lovely in that dress! Did you lose weight?" in a certain tone to another woman (or man...or...insert non binary term here) she and I both know I'm not giving a compliment.
It's all about intention. And I highly doubt anyone is maliciously saying "Merry Christmas" to anyone.
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We should not forget to appreciate a greeting or a gift. We should alway think that others wish the best for you.
Have a nice Xmas period and enjoy everyday !
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Thank you, and agreed! I prefer to think that people have good intentions till they do something that shows me otherwise.
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It all has gone from political correctness to political paranoya.
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I do believe you are right... and there is so much fear involved with that.
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We've definitely gone overboard as far as I'm concerned. Some of the things that you can or can't say have gotten totally ridiculous now. One that springs to mind is brainstorm. We're not allowed to use that in the UK anymore in case it offends people who have epilepsy! WTF?!!
Why can't we all be responsible for our own sensibilites and learn that no-body can upset us unless we choose to be upset. Now look what you've done you've made me all upset. Ha, ha, ha! 😭
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Marry christmas @denmarkguy
great post sharing
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I love when people greet other people and I always accept their greeting in the spirit of good cheer especially during Christmas.
I don't think people should get offended even if they don't celebrate Christmas, because it is just sending love and happiness.
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have a drink.
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Now.. that's a short reply that a drunken bot would say!!
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My personal thoughts on all of this: I grew up with my "culture." In my culture we say Merry Christmas so that's what I say. If someone has a different holiday culture then they are welcome to say that and I may adjust accordingly. However!! To be offended is just plain ludicrous because then you are in essence saying to me that my culture has no merit but yours does.
I think in this day and age too many people believe that being offended makes their views right and that is not the case. So until I know that you may not celebrate Christmas...go ahead and be offended.
Merry Christmas!!
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Leftist people always create problems out of thin air.
Wishing merry Christmas is a good thing, it has good intentions, if someone doesn’t like hearing merry Christmas well that person should be mature enough to just move on with life.
Notice how this people are only bothered by Christmas, I have never seen a leftist bothered by anything from Islam...
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Good post please vote my poste
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Well, while saying Merry Christmas to someone might not be what they want to hear, it's a great conversation starter (which will most likely end in some kind of disagreement or possibly an argument, but still).
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