It is Merry Christmas! (not happy holidays)

Merry Christmas.

Either way it's fine, I don't mind it one bit.

I can see how someone get so work up over it though. I knew a girl from a psychology class and I said to her "Bless you" when she sneezed, and she got so worked up about it and how she wasn't Christian and doesn't see a point in saying it or getting it from someone and some other stuff... all because of a "Bless you".

I personally do not celebrate too many holidays except for Chinese New Years, but if people want to wish me a Merry Christmas or happy holiday I wouldn't refuse it, let along getting upset over it.

[QUOTE="Dr_Manfattan"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Close. It kept the date and some traditions of a pagan festival but it's certainly celebrating a totally different event. Christmas =/= pagan.

LJS9502_basic

so what you saying is, he wasnt just close, he was absolutely correct...it began as a pagan festival and then christians took it and changed it to be representative of their religion...which is what he and you both said

i never said pagans did, i said that the pagans had a holiday that christians used as a basis (not on religious views just with the date and a few traditions) and then made it a celebration of the birth of christ. so im saying it began with a pagan festival being manipulated by the christians, i never said it was somehow still a pagan festival.

[QUOTE="Danm_999"]These groups are too sensitive. Stores do this because they know "Happy Holidays" is perfectly neutral, and can happily apply to practicing Christians, non-practicing Christians, athiests who celebrate Christmas, Jews who celebrate Hannukah, African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa, or even people who celebrate nothing, but will probably get a few days off because the vast majority of businesses give their employees the time off. Essentially, these groups are claiming a right to recognition greater than any other, which seems silly to me. Happy Holidays is neutral and universal, why must they be given special treatment.Jemdude

The problem is that people celebrating the other holidays are a minority. The majority of people celebrate Christmas and this same majority represent the majority of the store's customers.

So....because you're part of a majority you should be able to dictate what the store can say or do? If you want to boycott them, do it, but I doubt the GAP is going to go out of buisness because a few thousand angry christians who weren't going to shop there anyway are now...not going to shop there.

I honestly cannot even fathom why one cares what they say. Is it this "NO! My religion is best! Acknowledge it and wish me Merry Christmas"? What is the point of them wishing it to you when they arn't doing it from their heart or belief but because you bullied them?

i never said pagans did, i said that the pagans had a holiday that christians used as a basis (not on religious views just with the date and a few traditions) and then made it a celebration of the birth of christ. so im saying it began with a pagan festival being manipulated by the christians, i never said it was somehow still a pagan festival.

Dr_Manfattan

[QUOTE="Danm_999"]These groups are too sensitive. Stores do this because they know "Happy Holidays" is perfectly neutral, and can happily apply to practicing Christians, non-practicing Christians, athiests who celebrate Christmas, Jews who celebrate Hannukah, African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa, or even people who celebrate nothing, but will probably get a few days off because the vast majority of businesses give their employees the time off. Essentially, these groups are claiming a right to recognition greater than any other, which seems silly to me. Happy Holidays is neutral and universal, why must they be given special treatment.Jemdude

The problem is that people celebrating the other holidays are a minority. The majority of people celebrate Christmas and this same majority represent the majority of the store's customers.

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with this issue till next Christmas. I find it so childish...I mean seriously, is it really that big a deal whether people say "Happy Holidays!" or "Merry Christmas!"? Can't people waste their energy on moreimportant things?

It looks like Gamespot themselves are guilty of the "happy holidays" issue as well:

http://www.gamespot.com/holiday-guide/?om_act=convert&om_clk=picks&tag=picks;title;1

It looks like Gamespot themselves are guilty of the "happy holidays" issue as well

Jemdude

Will you be boycotting them as well?

Also I didn't see it say happy holidays on it. It said it was a "holiday wish list" which seems fine because there are other holidays. It isn't wishing anyone anything, it is simply a list to be used for multiple holidays instead of making a christmas wish list, hannukah wish list, kwanza wish list, solstace wish list, ramadan wish list, etc.

Why are there people offended over a single "Merry Christmas"? It not religious exclusive you know.

Why are there people offended over a single "Merry Christmas"? It not religious exclusive you know.

alexside1

It looks like Gamespot themselves are guilty of the "happy holidays" issue as well:

Jemdude

Why are there people offended over a single "Merry Christmas"? It not religious exclusive you know.

alexside1

We (as in my wife and I) still celebrate Christmas as a religious day. We also do not worryor complain about anyone else who chooses to say or do something else regarding Christmas.

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

It looks like Gamespot themselves are guilty of the "happy holidays" issue as well

Pixel-Pirate

Will you be boycotting them as well?

Also I didn't see it say happy holidays on it. It said it was a "holiday wish list" which seems fine because there are other holidays. It isn't wishing anyone anything, it is simply a list to be used for multiple holidays instead of making a christmas wish list, hannukah wish list, kwanza wish list, solstace wish list, ramadan wish list, etc.

It should say 2009 Christmas Gift Guide (not 2009 Holiday Gift Guide). The number of people celebrating the other holidays are a tiny minority. The Jewish population that celebrate Haunakkah are only 2% of the U.S. population for example. Let's face it. The vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. The vast majority of customers that Gamespot is making money off of are also celebrating Christmas. We need to send kind but firm messages to the people in charge of that.

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

It looks like Gamespot themselves are guilty of the "happy holidays" issue as well

Jemdude

Will you be boycotting them as well?

Also I didn't see it say happy holidays on it. It said it was a "holiday wish list" which seems fine because there are other holidays. It isn't wishing anyone anything, it is simply a list to be used for multiple holidays instead of making a christmas wish list, hannukah wish list, kwanza wish list, solstace wish list, ramadan wish list, etc.

It should say 2009 Christmas Gift Guide (not 2009 Holiday Gift Guide). The number of people celebrating the other holidays are a tiny minority. The Jewish population that celebrate Haunakkah are only 2% of the U.S. population for example. Let's face it. The vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. The vast majority of customers that Gamespot is making money off of are also celebrating Christmas. We need to send kind but firm messages to the people in charge of that.

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

It looks like Gamespot themselves are guilty of the "happy holidays" issue as well

Jemdude

Will you be boycotting them as well?

Also I didn't see it say happy holidays on it. It said it was a "holiday wish list" which seems fine because there are other holidays. It isn't wishing anyone anything, it is simply a list to be used for multiple holidays instead of making a christmas wish list, hannukah wish list, kwanza wish list, solstace wish list, ramadan wish list, etc.

It should say 2009 Christmas Gift Guide (not 2009 Holiday Gift Guide). The number of people celebrating the other holidays are a tiny minority. The Jewish population that celebrate Haunakkah are only 2% of the U.S. population for example. Let's face it. The vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. The vast majority of customers that Gamespot is making money off of are also celebrating Christmas. We need to send kind but firm messages to the people in charge of that.

But what do you lose by them saying holidays instead of christmas? You think it's bad to wish all religions a happy holiday? Isn't it kind of selfish to say
"NO! My religion is the most important! Only mine should get any well wishes!" I mean I could get you if they were saying "Happy Hannukah" or "Happy Kwanza, screw Christmas" but they arn't. You're upset that they're lumping your religion in with the others?

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

It should say 2009 Christmas Gift Guide (not 2009 Holiday Gift Guide). The number of people celebrating the other holidays are a tiny minority. The Jewish population that celebrate Haunakkah are only 2% of the U.S. population for example. Let's face it. The vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. The vast majority of customers that Gamespot is making money off of are also celebrating Christmas. We need to send kind but firm messages to the people in charge of that.

BumFluff122

Who says ALL Jewish people buy from Gamespot? Potential customers you mean. And even then, not all of them are gonna stop buying 'cause of the wording.

And I think all people should see the good-wish in saying "Happy Holidays". Its not like if that wording was used at a church-burning or something and it was offensive.

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

Will you be boycotting them as well?

Also I didn't see it say happy holidays on it. It said it was a "holiday wish list" which seems fine because there are other holidays. It isn't wishing anyone anything, it is simply a list to be used for multiple holidays instead of making a christmas wish list, hannukah wish list, kwanza wish list, solstace wish list, ramadan wish list, etc.

BumFluff122

It should say 2009 Christmas Gift Guide (not 2009 Holiday Gift Guide). The number of people celebrating the other holidays are a tiny minority. The Jewish population that celebrate Haunakkah are only 2% of the U.S. population for example. Let's face it. The vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. The vast majority of customers that Gamespot is making money off of are also celebrating Christmas. We need to send kind but firm messages to the people in charge of that.

They will not lose customers because they know that they are a tiny minority. Even the poll here speaks for itself that the majority of people want the Merry Christmas greeting.

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

It should say 2009 Christmas Gift Guide (not 2009 Holiday Gift Guide). The number of people celebrating the other holidays are a tiny minority. The Jewish population that celebrate Haunakkah are only 2% of the U.S. population for example. Let's face it. The vast majority of people are celebrating Christmas. The vast majority of customers that Gamespot is making money off of are also celebrating Christmas. We need to send kind but firm messages to the people in charge of that.

smc91352

Who says ALL Jewish people buy from Gamespot? Potential customers you mean. And even then, not all of them are gonna stop buying 'cause of the wording.

And I think all people should see the good-wish in saying "Happy Holidays". Its not like if that wording was used at a church-burning or something and it was offensive.

They will not lose customers because they know that they are a tiny minority. Even the poll here speaks for itself that the majority of people want the Merry Christmas greeting.

Jemdude

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

They will not lose customers because they know that they are a tiny minority. Even the poll here speaks for itself that the majority of people want the Merry Christmas greeting.

BumFluff122

Most Jews will shop at the Merry Christmas greeting because many of them don't like "happy holidays" either. I spoke with a Jew and it is very rare for him to receive a Happy Hanukkah greeting anywhere except in his own Jewish population. He knows he's in the minority so he doesn't mind the Merry Christmas greeting. But a company has to pay more attention to what the majority of their customers want and most of them want the Merry Christmas greeting.

Most Jews will shop at the Merry Christmas greeting because many of them don't like "happy holidays" either. I spoke with a Jew and it is very rare for him to receive a Happy Hanukkah greeting anywhere except in his own Jewish population. He knows he's in the minority so he doesn't mind the Merry Christmas greeting. But a company has to pay more attention to what the majority of their customers want and most of them want the Merry Christmas greeting.

Jemdude

But a company has to pay more attention to what the majority of their customers want and most of them want the Merry Christmas greeting.

Jemdude

Well, they don't really have to; it'd be smart to do, I think, if its either or.

Do you have any numbers showing profit differences when "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christams" is used?

If there are more profits gained by using "Merry Christmas" I'd forgive companies, but if they aren't noticing a difference, I think they should default to "Happy Holidays". (Just my opinion)

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

Most Jews will shop at the Merry Christmas greeting because many of them don't like "happy holidays" either. I spoke with a Jew and it is very rare for him to receive a Happy Hanukkah greeting anywhere except in his own Jewish population. He knows he's in the minority so he doesn't mind the Merry Christmas greeting. But a company has to pay more attention to what the majority of their customers want and most of them want the Merry Christmas greeting.

BumFluff122

@BumFluff122 How in the world is saying "Merry Christmas" offending to some people? Why can they think as a culture thing instead a religious thing? People freak out over the simplest things.alexside1

[QUOTE="alexside1"]@BumFluff122 How in the world is saying "Merry Christmas" offending to some people? Why can they think as a culture thing instead a religious thing? People freak out over the simplest things.BumFluff122

A company has to pay more attention with something that they believe has less of a likelihood of offending it's customers. Happy Holidays falls under every religion and every belief and every non-belief. Merry CHRISTmas does not. The maority of people here think it's silly sure, but that same majority wouldn't stop shopping at a store because they have Hsppy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

BumFluff122

A lot of Christians are offended by the "happy holidays" greeting and this is the group most stores should be concerned about. There is something wrong when a company is more concerned about offending a minority of people than a majority of people. The ironic thing is that most people celebrating minority holidays are not going to be offended by the Merry Christmas greeting because they know that only a few people celebrate it.

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

Most Jews will shop at the Merry Christmas greeting because many of them don't like "happy holidays" either. I spoke with a Jew and it is very rare for him to receive a Happy Hanukkah greeting anywhere except in his own Jewish population. He knows he's in the minority so he doesn't mind the Merry Christmas greeting. But a company has to pay more attention to what the majority of their customers want and most of them want the Merry Christmas greeting.

LJS9502_basic

You know I'm an atheist. I however have gone otu carrolling. I've sung the christmas songs. I've wished people merry christmas. But that is me personally. A business acts differently because the goal of a business is to draw the most people it can in. Everyone in this thread is posting their own personal opinion on the matter. "Well I think this and I think that" Even the poll asks their own personal opinnon on the matter. Personal opinions don't count. The majority counts. The bigger that majority the more products sold and the more people will be happy. These business are geared toward more than people of just oen faith. They are geared toward people of every faith. And they are tryign to show that through their wording.

BumFluff122

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="alexside1"]@BumFluff122 How in the world is saying "Merry Christmas" offending to some people? Why can they think as a culture thing instead a religious thing? People freak out over the simplest things.LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

You know I'm an atheist. I however have gone otu carrolling. I've sung the christmas songs. I've wished people merry christmas. But that is me personally. A business acts differently because the goal of a business is to draw the most people it can in. Everyone in this thread is posting their own personal opinion on the matter. "Well I think this and I think that" Even the poll asks their own personal opinnon on the matter. Personal opinions don't count. The majority counts. The bigger that majority the more products sold and the more people will be happy. These business are geared toward more than people of just oen faith. They are geared toward people of every faith. And they are tryign to show that through their wording.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

You know I'm an atheist. I however have gone otu carrolling. I've sung the christmas songs. I've wished people merry christmas. But that is me personally. A business acts differently because the goal of a business is to draw the most people it can in. Everyone in this thread is posting their own personal opinion on the matter. "Well I think this and I think that" Even the poll asks their own personal opinnon on the matter. Personal opinions don't count. The majority counts. The bigger that majority the more products sold and the more people will be happy. These business are geared toward more than people of just oen faith. They are geared toward people of every faith. And they are tryign to show that through their wording.

BumFluff122

I'm fairly certain he knwos that. Have you seen carollers go up to a house of a person who was of another religion and sang to them songs of Christ? I have. Everytime they go into one of these stores that have merry christmas splattered all over the place they are reminded that it is their holiday as well however it just asn't as important as the glorious christian holiday Christmas. Do you see why some would get upset and why companies who do this would possibly lose some of their customers?

BumFluff122

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]I understand that. But Happy Holidays does offend some people...and potentially more people than Merry Christmas would offend. If you are talking numbers....

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]I understand that. But Happy Holidays does offend some people...and potentially more people than Merry Christmas would offend. If you are talking numbers....

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]And how exactly do you come to that conclusion?

alexside1

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]And how exactly do you come to that conclusion?

smc91352

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]I understand that. But Happy Holidays does offend some people...and potentially more people than Merry Christmas would offend. If you are talking numbers....

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

I'm fairly certain he knwos that. Have you seen carollers go up to a house of a person who was of another religion and sang to them songs of Christ? I have. Everytime they go into one of these stores that have merry christmas splattered all over the place they are reminded that it is their holiday as well however it just asn't as important as the glorious christian holiday Christmas. Do you see why some would get upset and why companies who do this would possibly lose some of their customers?

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="smc91352"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]The numbers.

LJS9502_basic

Christianity is currently the biggest religion. I don't believe there is a dispute on that. And Christians outnumber atheists as well.LJS9502_basic

Exactly! This is the group stores should worry about offending.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] Christianity is currently the biggest religion. I don't believe there is a dispute on that. And Christians outnumber atheists as well.Jemdude

Exactly! This is the group stores should worry about offending.

[QUOTE="BumFluff122"]

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

Exactly! This is the group stores should worry about offending.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="smc91352"]how much of a profit difference did it make? link?smc91352

[QUOTE="smc91352"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] Did you not see the word potentially?LJS9502_basic