Please! Just don’t spout “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” at me (even with a big “Holiday” grin) it just annoys me.
You know what, saying it with enthusiasm and a big open smile, doesn’t change it’s lukewarm, insipid, meaninglessness (Yep, that’s a word! If Madison Avenue and TV can invent ‘em, so can I!).
Ubiquitous among the business community for years now, most likely started by some Madison Avenue guru? Or at least expanded beyond all hope of meaning by ‘em. Then again, maybe it was first spewed forth by someone else (atheists of a different stripe?). I don’t care, it still speaks nothing (meaningful) to me. And this very special season is supposed to be chock full of Great Meaning! (isn’t it? wasn’t ’it?)
I expect because we’ve been hearin’ it for so long and often now, it’s even crept into “holiday” salutations amongst friends? Why? I believe I know. Because we’ve nearly all become mere social sheep (you anyway? me, no way!). Led about by the whims of whoever, whatever, prevailing social winds are wafting past at the moment.
Do you say it because you don’t know, even among your friends, what religious preferences they might hold? Perhaps you’re afraid (subconsciously?) you might “offend” a nearby stranger, overhearing you share a heartfelt greeting? Guess what, most of those strangers hold the same beliefs as you!
There are times where I know the religious beliefs of the person I’m greeting are other than mine. I have no problem greeting them (truthfully) with the salutation specifically celebrating their beliefs. Nor do I feel offended if they greet me with the phrase that fits their beliefs. I’m just pleased we both believe in God and hold love for our fellow man in common.
This whole time period is a very big holiday time. Christians have Christmas, Jews have Hanukkah, while there are surely others havin’ or holdin’ “something” this time of year.
Except the poor atheists and agnostics. I’m figurin’ just like the rest of the year, they’ve got nuthin’? Too bad. But they do have their choices (at least ‘til the partys’ over).
Not to git too religious on ya, (but if you’re christian) I recall that line from the bible about bein’ “...lukewarm for the Lord...” and it’s consequences. Maybe you might want to think about your choices? Doesn’t using lukewarm greetings reflect lukewarm beliefs? So, maybe like our kids are told, ya better watch out, ya better not cry!
I guess if yer not christian, you’re safe...? (maybe). Of course it might just be you’re agnostic (maybe even atheist?). If you are, ya might’s well quit readin’ about here? None of this means anything to you (any more than your “beliefs” do to me).
Getting on with my “Greetings” monologue (rant?).
Why would you be willing to forego expressing the true meanings of this holy season openly with those you deem worthy of greeting to begin with? After all, it is the most important holiday extant.
Oh sure I know, there is Fourth of July, there’s Thanksgiving, even Veterans Day (big with me) and others. But none of these are a big deal outside the good old USA. In fact, there are bigger holidays held lots of places around the world than these.
But Christmas? Well, they don’t get any bigger anywhere, do they? Because it shares same general timeframe, we’ve all become aware of Hanukkah too. But it’s not celebrated by very many people. There just aren’t that many jewish people. Sure, their holiday tradition is well known in America, and elsewhere. But that’s got more to do with the nature of the people and the travails they’ve suffered than sheer numbers of celebrants.
Often finding myself bein’ a day late and a dollar short, I’m bringing this up to ya after Christmas has passed, sorry. However, the spirit of the season usually lingers for a few days or so after the actual holiday day has passed? So I figure you’re still hearing (or mouthing) those useless phrases for a little while yet.
Come on, work up the gumption (copyin’ my example) to respond to the nice folks who spout “Happy Holidays!” at you, and respond with an equally cheerful (but truly heartfelt and meaningful) Merry Christmas!!
Oh! And lest we let that other, even more meaningless greeting (or jaunty rejoinder) “Seasons Greetings!” pass, let’s all treat it just like "Happy Holidays" (with just a touch of Bah-Humbug).
“I Don’t Know About You...” I think if you hold your beliefs dear, you shouldn’t hold your tongue.
Merry Christmas! One and All!!
Cal Teeple, sole full-time member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium is often found three stools down, where he may be ignored, accosted or contacted. This may also be accomplished by visiting him at: wayneindependent.com/cal Or at: CalTeeple@g-mail.com.
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Please! Just don’t spout “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” at me (even with a big “Holiday” grin) it just annoys me.
You know what, saying it with enthusiasm and a big open smile, doesn’t change it’s lukewarm, insipid, meaninglessness (Yep, that’s a word! If Madison Avenue and TV can invent ‘em, so can I!).
Ubiquitous among the business community for years now, most likely started by some Madison Avenue guru? Or at least expanded beyond all hope of meaning by ‘em. Then again, maybe it was first spewed forth by someone else (atheists of a different stripe?). I don’t care, it still speaks nothing (meaningful) to me. And this very special season is supposed to be chock full of Great Meaning! (isn’t it? wasn’t ’it?)
I expect because we’ve been hearin’ it for so long and often now, it’s even crept into “holiday” salutations amongst friends? Why? I believe I know. Because we’ve nearly all become mere social sheep (you anyway? me, no way!). Led about by the whims of whoever, whatever, prevailing social winds are wafting past at the moment.
Do you say it because you don’t know, even among your friends, what religious preferences they might hold? Perhaps you’re afraid (subconsciously?) you might “offend” a nearby stranger, overhearing you share a heartfelt greeting? Guess what, most of those strangers hold the same beliefs as you!
There are times where I know the religious beliefs of the person I’m greeting are other than mine. I have no problem greeting them (truthfully) with the salutation specifically celebrating their beliefs. Nor do I feel offended if they greet me with the phrase that fits their beliefs. I’m just pleased we both believe in God and hold love for our fellow man in common.
This whole time period is a very big holiday time. Christians have Christmas, Jews have Hanukkah, while there are surely others havin’ or holdin’ “something” this time of year.
Except the poor atheists and agnostics. I’m figurin’ just like the rest of the year, they’ve got nuthin’? Too bad. But they do have their choices (at least ‘til the partys’ over).
Not to git too religious on ya, (but if you’re christian) I recall that line from the bible about bein’ “...lukewarm for the Lord...” and it’s consequences. Maybe you might want to think about your choices? Doesn’t using lukewarm greetings reflect lukewarm beliefs? So, maybe like our kids are told, ya better watch out, ya better not cry!
I guess if yer not christian, you’re safe...? (maybe). Of course it might just be you’re agnostic (maybe even atheist?). If you are, ya might’s well quit readin’ about here? None of this means anything to you (any more than your “beliefs” do to me).
Getting on with my “Greetings” monologue (rant?).
Why would you be willing to forego expressing the true meanings of this holy season openly with those you deem worthy of greeting to begin with? After all, it is the most important holiday extant.
Oh sure I know, there is Fourth of July, there’s Thanksgiving, even Veterans Day (big with me) and others. But none of these are a big deal outside the good old USA. In fact, there are bigger holidays held lots of places around the world than these.
But Christmas? Well, they don’t get any bigger anywhere, do they? Because it shares same general timeframe, we’ve all become aware of Hanukkah too. But it’s not celebrated by very many people. There just aren’t that many jewish people. Sure, their holiday tradition is well known in America, and elsewhere. But that’s got more to do with the nature of the people and the travails they’ve suffered than sheer numbers of celebrants.
Often finding myself bein’ a day late and a dollar short, I’m bringing this up to ya after Christmas has passed, sorry. However, the spirit of the season usually lingers for a few days or so after the actual holiday day has passed? So I figure you’re still hearing (or mouthing) those useless phrases for a little while yet.
Come on, work up the gumption (copyin’ my example) to respond to the nice folks who spout “Happy Holidays!” at you, and respond with an equally cheerful (but truly heartfelt and meaningful) Merry Christmas!!
Oh! And lest we let that other, even more meaningless greeting (or jaunty rejoinder) “Seasons Greetings!” pass, let’s all treat it just like "Happy Holidays" (with just a touch of Bah-Humbug).
“I Don’t Know About You...” I think if you hold your beliefs dear, you shouldn’t hold your tongue.
Merry Christmas! One and All!!
Cal Teeple, sole full-time member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium is often found three stools down, where he may be ignored, accosted or contacted. This may also be accomplished by visiting him at: wayneindependent.com/cal Or at: CalTeeple@g-mail.com.
