Holiday Protocol Question

[Edwina's Secretary]

^^ I agree with you. In general, in the day to day living, I am the same way. I am talking about over-extending one's knowledge base, trying to be PC by passing on greetings when they are unsure of or ignorant to the meaning of the holiday or event bringing them on. If it isn't MY religious holiday, and I am NOT sure what it really means, it seems odd to try to fake it. To me, that is being PC to a fault, and risking offending someone.

I think manners and social niceties are nice. I think being PC is overboard, at times.

I try to ALWAYS say, "good morning, how are you..." when I am on the phone with people. A huge percentage of the time there is silence at the other end...they weren't expecting or aren't used to such a greeting. Odd.

As always Cat - you have crystalized it! This thread is not...and at least originally was not...about wishing someone a good day or chatting up the clerk at the checkout.

The question was - how to deal with holiday greetings for holidays with which you are not familiar. I said, and still say - I would rather give an innocuous "my thoughts will be with you" that to offend. If some people think that trying not to offend is "PC" -- so be it.

As I recall there is an expression...."the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

[Lady's Human]

As I recall there is an expression...."the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

And some people are intent on building a 4 lane superhighway.

Pleasant greetings are one thing, as mentioned, though, this this thread is about holidays and appropriate mentions. The reason I brought up making appropriate comments to those who have gone out of their way to explain the holidays is that I had a senior NCO in a unit who explained his faith (Islam) to anyone who asked, and whenever he took a day for religious reasons he would explain it to everyone who paid attention, as he was tired of comments about SFC A. getting all the days off for his religion. He didn't just take the days off, he practiced his faith. I wish I had been wise enough at the time to pay more attention. Because he did what he did, the comments were few and were mainly making the appropriate wishes on whatever the day happened to be. His actions brought understanding to a group who wouldn't normally get that type of instruction, and tolerance for the faith within the unit because of his actions.

I cringe when I hear some of the comments made to people on religious holidays, "Happy good Friday" is not as uncommon as one might think. If you don't know what the holiday is about, just exchange normal greetings. If they are zealous enough to be offended by someone missing whatever holiday it is, then they should be zealous enough to educate the people the come in contact with about the holiday, rather than just getting annoyed that the holiday isn't common knowledge.

[sparks19]

Someone will get annoyed if you wish them well on a holiday the "wrong" way and some will get annoyed if you don't acknowledge their holiday. I guess it's just a matter of playing the odds lol.

[Edwina's Secretary]

How interesting! I've never known or known of anyone who was annoyed because they didn't receive acknowledgment of their holiday. Takes all kinds I guess.

Perhaps it is a regional thing?

It does remind me of the expression - It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it.

[RICHARD]

I was watching the NASCAR/Memorial Weekend race and a woman racer - who happens to be a total dork - was being interviewed, at the end of the interview she looked into the camera and says, "Happy Memorial Day!"

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I had a boss who turned to me and said, "Happy Cinco de Mayo".

She did it as a slight, to me. She wasn't intelligent and lacked manners.

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As a matter of principle, I don't even bother with holidays anymore.


People mostly are ignorant of what a 'holiday' is.

It started out as a HOLY DAY. Not a day to get drunk and kill someone while you text driving...

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I just thank god that Washington and Lincoln were presidents.

I always get stuff on sale on Prez' Day.

[RICHARD]

Just had a convo about Good Friday and Easter.

"Happy Good Friday".

Yea! Let's celebrate Jesus getting nailed to a cross!

And a few days later we celebrate him coming back to life!

Talk about a conundrum?