It’s when you’re dealing in an official capacity or speaking to a broad audience or when you don’t know the person’s culture.
The CEO saying Merry Christmas to his 140 employees, when 5 of them are Jewish is going to be not feel so great for those 5 Jewish people. Happy Holidays should be fine for everyone.
But if you know the person is Christian (or celebrates Christmas) it should be perfectly fine to tell them Merry Christmas.
Of course in some places that may be considered insensitive because a Jewish person might be hearing it. Which is absurd and that level of sensitivity is not acceptable IMO.
Hispanic people just say Santa Claus and don’t analyze it or cringe, it’s just the way it’s said.
Just like ‘la mano’ and ‘el día’ sound ‘wrong’ to somebody learning Spanish and trying to apply rules in their head… But to a native Spanish speaker it’s completely normal and the way it is.
I’ve never understood this.
I’m a Christian, but I don’t make the connection on purposely avoiding greeting someone’s religious celebration.
I have no problem saying ‘happy Diwali’ to my Hindu neighbours. Do you think they feel uncomfortable saying ‘merry Christmas’ to me?
It’s when you’re dealing in an official capacity or speaking to a broad audience or when you don’t know the person’s culture.
The CEO saying Merry Christmas to his 140 employees, when 5 of them are Jewish is going to be not feel so great for those 5 Jewish people. Happy Holidays should be fine for everyone.
But if you know the person is Christian (or celebrates Christmas) it should be perfectly fine to tell them Merry Christmas.
Of course in some places that may be considered insensitive because a Jewish person might be hearing it. Which is absurd and that level of sensitivity is not acceptable IMO.
Removed by mod
I wonder how much Hispanic people squirm when they hear Father Christmas referred to as Santa.
Just saying that transgender people in popular Christian culture seem to have been around for a significant amount of time….
Are you saying Santa is trans…?
I don’t get what this comment means…
“Santa” is the Spanish term for a female saint. Hence Santa Anna, Santa Barbara, etc.
And then there’s Santa Claus, AKA Father Christmas, named after Saint Nicholas.
(Of course, there’s also Sinter Klaus, but I’d rather go with calling a very masculine saint “santa”)
Hispanic people just say Santa Claus and don’t analyze it or cringe, it’s just the way it’s said. Just like ‘la mano’ and ‘el día’ sound ‘wrong’ to somebody learning Spanish and trying to apply rules in their head… But to a native Spanish speaker it’s completely normal and the way it is.