Are you afraid to say Merry Christmas?

Santa Claus does not visit me wrote:

I'm Jewish and I'm certainly not offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas any more than I am offended if they mispronounce my name. It just shows the person doesn't know me. But I take no offense. I never correct strangers who wish me a Merry Christmas. They mean well. Some of my wife's relatives used to wish me Merry Christmas (she and her family are Christian). I thanked them for their well-wishes and gently explained to them that I don't celebrate Christmas. I did this not to make a PC statement or embarass them, but because I just wanted them to know me better.

Part of being an American and living here is understanding that this country is mostly Christian. Nonetheless, I find it odd that someone who does not know me would wish me a Merry Christman, which assumes I celebrate Christmas. The population of the U.S. is about 1% Jewish and about 3% Bhuddist, Muslim and other non-Christian religions. It is also about 15-20% agnostic/atheist. So there is a reasonable chance that your average American does not celebrate Christmas, at least as a religious holiday.

Santa Claus does not visit me wrote:

I'm Jewish and I'm certainly not offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas any more than I am offended if they mispronounce my name. It just shows the person doesn't know me. But I take no offense. I never correct strangers who wish me a Merry Christmas. They mean well. Some of my wife's relatives used to wish me Merry Christmas (she and her family are Christian). I thanked them for their well-wishes and gently explained to them that I don't celebrate Christmas. I did this not to make a PC statement or embarass them, but because I just wanted them to know me better.

Part of being an American and living here is understanding that this country is mostly Christian. Nonetheless, I find it odd that someone who does not know me would wish me a Merry Christman, which assumes I celebrate Christmas. The population of the U.S. is about 1% Jewish and about 3% Bhuddist, Muslim and other non-Christian religions. It is also about 15-20% agnostic/atheist. So there is a reasonable chance that your average American does not celebrate Christmas, at least as a religious holiday.

I like to be Merry and Happy wrote:

Santa Claus does not visit me wrote:

I'm Jewish and I'm certainly not offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas any more than I am offended if they mispronounce my name. It just shows the person doesn't know me. But I take no offense. I never correct strangers who wish me a Merry Christmas. They mean well. Some of my wife's relatives used to wish me Merry Christmas (she and her family are Christian). I thanked them for their well-wishes and gently explained to them that I don't celebrate Christmas. I did this not to make a PC statement or embarass them, but because I just wanted them to know me better.

Part of being an American and living here is understanding that this country is mostly Christian. Nonetheless, I find it odd that someone who does not know me would wish me a Merry Christman, which assumes I celebrate Christmas. The population of the U.S. is about 1% Jewish and about 3% Bhuddist, Muslim and other non-Christian religions. It is also about 15-20% agnostic/atheist. So there is a reasonable chance that your average American does not celebrate Christmas, at least as a religious holiday.

If I understand you correctly, you would prefer that I wish you not to have any feelings of merriment on Christmas. Are there any other days on which I should wish to feel like crap?

In reverse, I like to feel happy, so even though I am not Jewish, I appreciate your wishes that I be Happy on Hanukkah and will say thank you. But that's just how I was raised to be in a Christian environment. Perhaps I should adopt your attitude of contempt towards the well-wishers' ignorance of me and my petty desire not to feel happy on a particular day.

joho wrote:

Santa Claus does not visit me wrote:

I'm Jewish and I'm certainly not offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas any more than I am offended if they mispronounce my name. It just shows the person doesn't know me. But I take no offense. I never correct strangers who wish me a Merry Christmas. They mean well. Some of my wife's relatives used to wish me Merry Christmas (she and her family are Christian). I thanked them for their well-wishes and gently explained to them that I don't celebrate Christmas. I did this not to make a PC statement or embarass them, but because I just wanted them to know me better.

Part of being an American and living here is understanding that this country is mostly Christian. Nonetheless, I find it odd that someone who does not know me would wish me a Merry Christman, which assumes I celebrate Christmas. The population of the U.S. is about 1% Jewish and about 3% Bhuddist, Muslim and other non-Christian religions. It is also about 15-20% agnostic/atheist. So there is a reasonable chance that your average American does not celebrate Christmas, at least as a religious holiday.

Just because approximately 24% of Americans aren't Christian, according to your numbers, does not mean that 24% of Americans do not celebrate Christmas. I've never seen any numbers on it but I would be willing to bet the majority of atheist or agnostics still celebrate Christmas. What is wrong with wishing them a Merry Christmas? Even if you are incorrect and they don't celebrate Christmas what harm has been done?

I like to be Merry and Happy wrote:

Santa Claus does not visit me wrote:

I'm Jewish and I'm certainly not offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas any more than I am offended if they mispronounce my name. It just shows the person doesn't know me. But I take no offense. I never correct strangers who wish me a Merry Christmas. They mean well. Some of my wife's relatives used to wish me Merry Christmas (she and her family are Christian). I thanked them for their well-wishes and gently explained to them that I don't celebrate Christmas. I did this not to make a PC statement or embarass them, but because I just wanted them to know me better.

Part of being an American and living here is understanding that this country is mostly Christian. Nonetheless, I find it odd that someone who does not know me would wish me a Merry Christman, which assumes I celebrate Christmas. The population of the U.S. is about 1% Jewish and about 3% Bhuddist, Muslim and other non-Christian religions. It is also about 15-20% agnostic/atheist. So there is a reasonable chance that your average American does not celebrate Christmas, at least as a religious holiday.

If I understand you correctly, you would prefer that I wish you not to have any feelings of merriment on Christmas. Are there any other days on which I should wish to feel like crap?

In reverse, I like to feel happy, so even though I am not Jewish, I appreciate your wishes that I be Happy on Hanukkah and will say thank you. But that's just how I was raised to be in a Christian environment. Perhaps I should adopt your attitude of contempt towards the well-wishers' ignorance of me and my petty desire not to feel happy on a particular day.

I like to be Merry and Happy wrote:

Santa Claus does not visit me wrote:

I'm Jewish and I'm certainly not offended when people wish me a Merry Christmas any more than I am offended if they mispronounce my name. It just shows the person doesn't know me. But I take no offense. I never correct strangers who wish me a Merry Christmas. They mean well. Some of my wife's relatives used to wish me Merry Christmas (she and her family are Christian). I thanked them for their well-wishes and gently explained to them that I don't celebrate Christmas. I did this not to make a PC statement or embarass them, but because I just wanted them to know me better.

Part of being an American and living here is understanding that this country is mostly Christian. Nonetheless, I find it odd that someone who does not know me would wish me a Merry Christman, which assumes I celebrate Christmas. The population of the U.S. is about 1% Jewish and about 3% Bhuddist, Muslim and other non-Christian religions. It is also about 15-20% agnostic/atheist. So there is a reasonable chance that your average American does not celebrate Christmas, at least as a religious holiday.

If I understand you correctly, you would prefer that I wish you not to have any feelings of merriment on Christmas. Are there any other days on which I should wish to feel like crap?

In reverse, I like to feel happy, so even though I am not Jewish, I appreciate your wishes that I be Happy on Hanukkah and will say thank you. But that's just how I was raised to be in a Christian environment. Perhaps I should adopt your attitude of contempt towards the well-wishers' ignorance of me and my petty desire not to feel happy on a particular day.