I temped in an architect’s office last week. It wasn’t a bad gig, but one conversation just sticks with me. I was helping out with their Christmas cards and was informed that this office simply doesn’t use the phrase “Happy Holidays.” The owner isn’t especially religious, but he does insist that everyone in the office has a “Merry Christmas.”
I debated getting my nose out of joint — after all, I don’t observe Christmas, and I’m pretty sure that one of the women that worked in the office is Muslim. But I’ve come to the conclusion that this architect is right.
It’s more than a case of ‘his office, his rules.’ Wishing a non-Christian a “Merry Christmas” shouldn’t get anyone worked up. It’s not like most of us wear labels proclaiming our religious affiliations. Instead, I think that it’s perfectly acceptable to just take the well wishes in the spirit that they’re given, and leave it at that.
Sure, there are plenty of issues about religious discrimination that should be dealt with. But something this minor shouldn’t be one of them. I know people who claim it’s symptomatic of a bigger problem, but, generally, this architect was just trying to be nice by telling people to have a “Merry Christmas.”
I certainly don’t feel bad if I wish my Christian friends a “Merry Christmas.” It’s hard, however, to tell, sometimes, who celebrates what. So, personally, I’m not going to start wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas,” but, if that’s your holiday of choice, I do hope you have a wonderful one. For the rest of us, I hope that you do have a happy holiday season and that, no matter which holiday you celebrate, it is fantastic.
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Write a Comment»Interesting to see these problems from the old Europe where no one cares about “other holidays” than Christmas. Maybe we are simply politically incorrect?