Need Help: Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas

[jcampbell]

Background...
Every year I send out Holiday/Christmas cards to clients thanking them for their business, wishing them a Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a prosperous new year. I also add some notes to a select few that I am closer to. And every year I contemplate on whether or not I write Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. This year I was feeling invincible and wrote Merry Christmas. I fugured it was a nationally recognized day and on the calender as such so what the heck.

The Situation...
I got a call yesterday that has been bugging me since I got off the phone. I had a client call about why I sent a Christmas card to him. He started by saying "I'm not a christian, nor is my wife a christian." I told him, "I'm not either so whats the problem?"

For the record, I went to catholic school but haven't been to church in a while so I'm currently not practicing a set religion. I kind of made up my own that puts the focus on being a good person to everyone and everything. I lost focus for a while and this was my way of being a better person.

Anyway, back to my story, I asked, "you are an American right." he said, "Yes I am." I said, "well the American Government recognizes Christmas as a national holiday and you don't have to work that day because of it so I sent you a happy day off work card." He didn't know what to say. I was just trying to get out of the deal, but now that I think of it, I should have told him to suck it and its Christmas time no matter what you belive in. But then he said, "you have no right to force god on me." I said, "what are talking about. I sent you a Christmas card, if you don;t like it, throw it away and call it a day." I asked him, "have I ever asked you your religous beleifs?" He said "No." Then I said, "I do it for a reason because I think its personal and if I sent you something like a nice card wishing you a Merry Christmas, I am not sorry for it because I was just trying to be nice." He concluded by saying he didn't appreciate it and I basically said whatever and we hung up.

Is saying Merry Christmas that bad nowdays? The GF said I should have been smarter than that, and I said why should I? I don't think I pushed anything on the guy and his family. This damn tollerance deal is going way too far in my opinion. I try to be open to all people, even go so far as to register myself as an independent so that I listen to both sides. I listen to the people that come to the door that tell me my religion is wrong, just so I learn more about the way they think. But from the looks of whats happening in this world, it scares me to think what we'll be like in 50 years.

[Kish Me]

Whether you believe in Jesus or not, how can you be offended by someone wishing you a good day?? Crazy!

I do my business in my clients homes, so I usually know if they are the X-mas type or not. I find that a lot of Christians correct me when I say "Happy Holidays." They respond firmly with "Merry Christmas!" I also have Jewish clients that wish me Merry Christmas.

Bottom line is that only a few strange people are offended by well wishes.

Merry Christmas, STR!!

[ghixon]

I'm in the same boat. I send a card to most of my larger clients and invariably, every year, I get some backlash from it. It's gotten to the point now where the inscription inside the card reads "Wishing You A Happy Holiday and a Prosperous New Year."

Now that's personal. Nothing better that getting the standard watered down generic card to clients hoping not to offend them. There are a bunch of them that I've built really good relationships with that I'll send an ACTUAL Christmas card to. They usually don't have an issue with any religious references.

In this PC world that we live in today, you have to be sensitive to other peoples views in place of your own. It bugs the hell out of me. I'm just amazed that someone would be so self-absorbed to not take the gesture for what it is and not take it as a personal attack on their religion or ideas.

Sorry this fool ruined your day. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

[allison]

Your card didn't say anything about god or religion!! What a weirdo.

I think for professional reasons it may be best to say "Happy Holiday's". You can add in "Merry Christmas" in your personal written note.

I don't send out business cards, though.

[jeffj]

I would call it a "learning experience" and:

1) Let it go. If someone sent me a "Happy Hannukah" or even a "Happy Ramadan" card, I doubt I'd be offended and surely wouldn't call to complain about it even if I thought it odd. But maybe he has strong anti-christian beliefs and didn't want to receive one next year too.

2) Be thankful he has revealed himself to you. Certainly not for being a non-christian, but as a complete tool lacking in social skills, civility and good manners. I would think if it bothered him, he could have said that although he appreciated the card as a kind gesture at this time of year, he doesn't celebrate Xmas and would like to save you the cost of a card and postage in the future.

That single incident doesn't mean I wouldn't do business with him, but I would keep in in the back of my mind for reference.

3) Maybe think about phrasing future cards with something about their patronage during the past year instead of relating it to a religious holiday of any type.

4) Be the bigger person. Let it roll off your shoulders and don't let it spoil your holiday season or spill over into other situations.

Merry Xmas to you!

[mechmann]

LOL...

funny thing. everyone seeks salvation through religion. why do they do this? religion has been the #1 reason for every war since gods were invented!!!!

silly people.

i would write him a note saying "happy jihad!"

[sladnas]

"Happy Holidays" is surely the more neutral approach to it. I'm not religious, but my Dad tried to bring us up Jewish (didn't work)...we still always had a tree in the house during Christmas though Non-traditional is what you could call us.

I love the smell of pine trees, waking up Christmas morning, etc. I don't really care about WHY we have the holiday though. Some people are really up-tight about it. Since it is a client, I'd think you'd want to stay as neutral as possible.

PS, the "Independent" party is a platform just like R's and the D's. Their principles are strongly tied to "God" and religion...

[Innes]

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Next year send the guy a Happy Kwanza card.

[nouse66]

i think it's funny your client's time is that invaluable that he can take the time to call you and complain about a card! some people just have nothing better to do i guess...

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by Innes

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Next year send the guy a Happy Kwanza card.

Or maybe a lump of......... something

[guero]

This one covers the gamut and is unbiased, 'Seasons Greetings'.

[el_d00der1n0]

I say Merry X-Mas (ex-mass). I'm agnostic, and I'm not offended by someone wishing me a merry Christmas. Most of what is done at Christmas isn't even Christian anyway.

BTW FWIK, people don't have a happy or merry Ramadan. It's blessed (bless-ed). They spend the whole time fasting and it's very somber.

[Dino Brown]

I use both terms! I do believe we have been OVERLY conditioned to be politically correct. We can't say anything. We can't do anything. Don't want to offend anyone.

This country is based on FREEDOM. Those freedoms make THIS the greatest country in the world. If someone gets offended with a greeting (Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hannuka)-

As far as I am concerned, all of those terms symbolize BROTHERHOOD! I will continue to use them.

PUGZIE- Sorry I won't be riding this evening, I WILL BE HOLIDAY SHOPPING! Haha!

[denmother]

Every year it becomes a bigger and bigger deal. I use to work in retail and it was a very touch subject. That is why less and less people wish you anything, unless you wish it first!!!!

That's what we get for living in the melting pot. We were once a majority, now the minority.

Side note: We had an management/ethics class where we had to discuss how to tell your employees that in America it is not allowed to barbeque dog at a company picnic.

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by denmother

Side note: We had an management/ethics class where we had to discuss how to tell your employees that in America it is not allowed to barbeque dog at a company picnic.

oh man I wish I could have been there for that.

[ghixon]

It's kinda funny. I deal a lot with clients in China and Japan. I get a few Chinese New Year cards every year from a large supplier around the end of January. Since Christmas isn't an observed holiday there, it's hard not to say anything when talking with them on the phone. Here we are, surrounded by tons of stuff and their just getting ready for the Spring Festival.

I'll have to see if I have a copy of one of the cards and post it.

[ODB]

Just make a note for next year to send him this instead:

[JimmyJ]

I say Merry Christmas in the hopes that it pisses some freak off. If they are that sensitive for it to ruin their day then so be it. Before you know it, it will be rude to tell someone good bye.

I wonder how many other people that guy had to call this Christmas season? It must be tough for him to get any work done during this time of the year....what a jack ass!