Holiday Protocol Question

[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?

[sparks19]

I have never had anyone get upset that I didn't acknowledge their holiday but apparently others have had that experience. I have also never had anyone get mad for an seemingly inappropriately worded acknowledgement of their holiday either but apparently those people also exsist. It does take all kinds.

All kinds of sayings out there. I don't really live my day to day life based on quote snippets. I just go day to day trying to be as kind as I can to others.

[sparks19]

I actually can't recall even hearing anyone (in person) get upset when I've said Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays. It could have happened but I can't think of one time at this moment. Most people just smile and respond with whatever they feel comfortable saying

[Edwina's Secretary]

All kinds of sayings out there. I don't really live my day to day life based on quote snippets. I just go day to day trying to be as kind as I can to others.

I find those "quote snippets" can be very useful in how to live my life. "As you are to the least of my people, so shall you be onto me", "do onto others as you would have done onto you" "judge not, lest you be judged" "a stitch in time saves nine", "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." I find the wisdom of those who have lived before me useful.

And while I agree, I have never heard anyone get upset when wished "Merry Christmas" ...sadly I can say I have known people to be upset when wished "Happy Holidays." Those must be those grumpy people you are thinking of!

[RICHARD]

I have never had anyone get upset that I didn't acknowledge their holiday but apparently others have had that experience. I have also never had anyone get mad for an seemingly inappropriately worded acknowledgement of their holiday either but apparently those people also exsist. It does take all kinds.

All kinds of sayings out there. I don't really live my day to day life based on quote snippets. I just go day to day trying to be as kind as I can to others.

I don't think it the idea of not acknowledging a day, it's more about the way that people have missed the true meaning of the 'holiday'.

When I worked and was part of a union, the holidays became a way to get time off or extra pay.

Between a three day weekend or double time and a half, it became a fight between employees to get one or the other.

A night shift on a holiday - back in the day - was pretty lucrative. If you earned 10 bucks an hour and a 35 cent incentive for the evening shift?

If you had a family, no amount of money could make up for time away from them.

The one thing I learned from doing a holiday shift was you really didn't benefit from the extra money, the gov't. taxed the crap out of it anyway.

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My peeve as time has gone by, is the fact that people DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING about holidays.

Another great example is St. Patrick's Day.

While not a general holiday, the Catholic religion used to emphasize remembering the Saints.

Hokay,

But why did it turn into a day where people dress in green, wear buttons "Kiss me, I'm Irish" and get shiat faced drunk?

Same with Cinco de Mayo.

So, now we get into the three day weekend deals.

Once upon a time, we used to commemorate 'holidays' on the day they happened.

Now we lump president's days together, make it a three day weekend and grill dead meat, get sunburned and come back to work on Tuesday with not a whit of ambition. No one cares about dead presidents.

Unless we get a day off or a piece of paper with their picture on it.

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I am not against celebrating anything for anyone, any religion or anything.

It's just the way we have lost the meaning of any holiday.

[sparks19]

I find those "quote snippets" can be very useful in how to live my life. "As you are to the least of my people, so shall you be onto me", "do onto others as you would have done onto you" "judge not, lest you be judged" "a stitch in time saves nine", "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." I find the wisdom of those who have lived before me useful.

And while I agree, I have never heard anyone get upset when wished "Merry Christmas" ...sadly I can say I have known people to be upset when wished "Happy Holidays." Those must be those grumpy people you are thinking of!

Well like you said... Takes all kinds. You live your life the way you want to and others will do the same. Can't please everyone. I just try to be polite and friendly to everyone I meet. Others don't feel that way and that is OK. It won't stop me from being pleasant to others just because some people want to drag other people down or treat them like they are lesser beings.

Although, the bible snippets you quoted is kind of what I mean by "quote snippets". One should read the entire 25th chapter of Matthew to get the context of the little snippet.

In the end, we won't agree on how everyone should conduct their lives. I will leave with a little snippet "to each his own". This little back and forth has been interesting but not overly productive

Have a great day

[Lady's Human]

Well like you said... Takes all kinds. You live your life the way you want to and others will do the same. Can't please everyone. I just try to be polite and friendly to everyone I meet. Others don't feel that way and that is OK. It won't stop me from being pleasant to others just because some people want to drag other people down or treat them like they are lesser beings.

Where in this thread did you get THAT?

[sparks19]

Where in this thread did you get THAT?

I didn't get it from anywhere in the thread. It was just a general statement.

Like when people yell at cashiers (just as an example) for something beyond the employees control.

[sparks19]

Sorry for the additional post... When I post from my phone it won't let me edit.

When I was in customer service people would flip out on the cashiers for things they couldn't help. For example, when tim hortons raised the price of coffee .05 cents a cup. Man were people angry but unfortunately there was nothing I could do about it. It's not like I raised the price lol. But when that happens you just have to smile, apologize and wish them a good day... Even if you might want to respond in a different manner lol

[Edwina's Secretary]

To get us back on topic...today is the anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England...what is the proper greeting for this holiday?

[Cataholic]

^^Long live the Queen? LOL!