I was listening to talk radio last night and the host was talking about the Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays issue. The host stated he hated "Happy Holidays" and that business owners should stick to using Merry Christmas because 85 percent of Americans would be celebrating Christmas. He made it an issue of simple statistics, which misses the point.
A caller pointed out that business owners don't want to lose any customers and that "Happy Holidays" covers everyone and every holiday. He went on to say that it also covers the entire holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day and is not solely about the holidays around the same time as Christmas.
Both of those points are valid ones, but I'd like to add something more. This country has a hell of a lot more serious issues facing it than which greeting one chooses to use in December, such as the Iraq war, unemployment, crime, and so on. What's up with people who get offended by either Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Is this country turning into the United States of the Perpetually Offended?
For either greeting, the person giving it is being courteous and civil, and the one receiving it should simply accept it in the spirit intended, even if it is not their personal greeting of preference. Just smile, nod, offer a greeting and move on. No need to get your ass on your shoulders about it.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers.
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