It’s difficult to imagine holiday greetings being offensive, but it happens more so every year.
Christmas basically takes over the entire month of December, and the majority of the Western world celebrates it in some way; secularly or religiously. “Merry Christmas!” has now become somewhat of a default way to acknowledge somebody.
In any case, a simple “Happy holidays!” is acceptable. It’s all-inclusive and unassuming of somebody’s culture or observance. It incorporates all winter holidays, so nobody can get offended. Or so we thought.
Several retailers such as Macy’s and Walmart have addressed this controversy by asking their employees to use the general phrase as opposed to “Merry Christmas!” Some people, however, have been offended by that change, arguing that speech cannot be censored, and one’s right to say “Merry Christmas” cannot be taken away.
While I personally think a general greeting is fair and do not see anything particularly wrong with it, I’m not offended when somebody uses one religion to wish me the best. Honestly, if a retail employee said “Happy Kwanzaa!” I would reply with a “Happy Kwanzaa to you, as well!” even though I don’t observe the holiday. I think people, unless otherwise instructed, will naturally express their season’s greetings according to their own culture.
On the other hand, I can understand how the default could affront somebody who doesn’t celebrate Christmas, especially since I have family and friends who don’t. You don’t typically hear The Maccabeats when you’re holiday shopping; it’s usually a widely recognized Christmas song, or some pop star’s auto-tuned rendition.
One could argue that shoppers are sentenced to two months of Christmas music, Christmas décor and Christmas presents flooding almost every store, so putting more of an emphasis on the holiday with a “Merry Christmas” is too much. I know people who actively participate in all things Christmas who get annoyed with the constant presence of Christmas.
You just can’t realistically enforce speech regulations during the holidays. Even if it is assuming to say “Merry Christmas!” it’s simply a positive greeting spoken out of holiday cheer.
I think generalizing sort of downplays the other winter holidays, like the week-long Kwanzaa celebration, or the eight nights of Hanukkah. But in the end, they’re all warm, thoughtful season’s greetings.
