On Saying Happy holidays
When I was a very young boy my mother asked me why everyone always smiled at me. I replied that I just smiled at them and they smiled right back. Through the years she repeated this story back to me so I never forgot it. I've to keep that alive in myself as I get older and more jaded, so when this atheist ponders whether to say happy holidays or something else, I try to go by this simple rule:
I say Merry Christmas to Christians, happy Hanukkah to Jews, happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate African heritage, and so on. I'm happy to wish everyone the best in whatever they believe, and if I don't know, or if they're a fellow atheist, or if they're sensitive about political correctness, then I say happy holidays. And if they hate the season I say, have a nice day.
And the little boy I used to be reminds me that no matter what you say, if you say it with a smile and genuine warmth... and maybe even love, then almost nobody will take offense, no matter what their preference. And the reverse is true too, so any greeting offered to me with genuine warmth is mostly received as such, no matter the form it might take. Most of the time it's not the words that matter, it's what's in people's hearts. And when in doubt I assume the best.
So, from the bottom of my heart, I'd like to wish you all a very happy [fill in the blank] and a wonderful new year. I'm glad we walk this road together.
And if you're pondering what to say, just smile... and mostly they'll smile right back.
I say Merry Christmas to Christians, happy Hanukkah to Jews, happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate African heritage, and so on. I'm happy to wish everyone the best in whatever they believe, and if I don't know, or if they're a fellow atheist, or if they're sensitive about political correctness, then I say happy holidays. And if they hate the season I say, have a nice day.
And the little boy I used to be reminds me that no matter what you say, if you say it with a smile and genuine warmth... and maybe even love, then almost nobody will take offense, no matter what their preference. And the reverse is true too, so any greeting offered to me with genuine warmth is mostly received as such, no matter the form it might take. Most of the time it's not the words that matter, it's what's in people's hearts. And when in doubt I assume the best.
So, from the bottom of my heart, I'd like to wish you all a very happy [fill in the blank] and a wonderful new year. I'm glad we walk this road together.
And if you're pondering what to say, just smile... and mostly they'll smile right back.