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I use it since I was little, in a very Christian nation, without specific reasons. Christmas is just a single day - which can be hectic and fairly bad, given that often you meet member of the family for which there are very real reasons you never meet the rest of the year. Holidays on the other hand last usually more, at the very least the day after and usually the entire week if not the two weeks from 25 December to 6 January (Epiphany, it's a national holiday).
So if I want to wish a good "whole period of vacations" instead of a "happy single day that probably you will hate nonetheless" I say "Happy Holidays".
Also, Holidays <= "Holy Days" so there is really nothing non religious in the word itself. "Happy vacations" would be the correct religion-free salute.
GCS d-- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
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If you're white in Singapore [doesn't matter how long you've been there even with people you known for a long time] they ask, "are you going home for Christmas?"
My reply, "yes, I go home every night."
Signature ready for installation. Please Reboot now.
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It's really a matter of being polite. Considerate. Having what one might call the "Holiday Spirit" and thinking of other people and their feelings.
I can't speak for the UK, but in the US, the christian religious fanatics have mobilized and call the use of Happy Holidays as a "War on Xmas". They make a big deal of it and even try to organize boycotts against those businesses who wish ALL of their customers good will.
These self-styled protectors of their faith think that it's their right, privilege, and duty to foist their beliefs upon everyone else . . . then vote to take away their medical care.*
*I suppose, if they die, it will save them a stamp?
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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In Italy Religious Fanatics™ (which are a lot, thanks to the ever annoying presence of a strangely dressed old man right in the middle of our capital) want to ban Halloween because "it's satanist".
GCS d-- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
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W∴ Balboos wrote: being polite. Considerate.
What do you think Merry Christmas actually means? How can "have a good day" possibly offend anyone? It's impossible.
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Look back in the context of the thread.
More than anything else, this is driven by those who are intolerant! It is their offense at the use of "Happy Holiday" - that it's some kind of war on their holiday.
So - getting a little biblical I, answer a fool according to his folly.
Also - check this concept out: look at the word. It is, in fact, quite religious, assuming one is finding delight in a religious service paying homage to a particular deity.
It definitely does not mean "have a good day". So, either you are demeaning it's significance or you ought to say what you mean. No?
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos wrote: It is their offense at the use of "Happy Holiday" - that it's some kind of war on their holiday.
No, that isn't the reason. That is one of many ways people are trying to take Christ out of Christmas. It is the attempt to remove Christ from Christmas that is offensive.
W∴ Balboos wrote: It definitely does not mean "have a good day".
Notice you did not answer my question. So, I'll ask again. What does it mean?
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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HappyFestivus wrote: That is one of many ways people are trying to take Christ out of Christmas. It is the attempt to remove Christ from Christmas
I couldn't have proved my view more clearly than you just did with your sentence.
It's a rather religious statement . . . or it's not. Make up you mind.
(Or did you just parrot that statement without giving it a thought?)
As for many people who don't recognize that deity - one that is remarkably similar, "historically", to stories of Zeus mating with humans to create "super" offspring. Actually the who thing wreaks of polytheistic idol worship and, from your comment, fanaticism.
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos wrote: It's a rather religious statement
Twice you refuse to answer my simple question. I accept your surrender. 
By the way, Happy Thursday. Ooops, sorry. I implied you worship Thor. Please forgive me.
Sorry to be a sore winner but holy cow are you sensitive and totally misguided if someone says to you "Merry Christmas" and you get offended.
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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It's always good to declare yourself the winner - so long as you don't pay any attention to what's going on. I quite thoroughly answered your question - but since it take some thought to apply it's clearly beyond your capabilities. Stick to coding.
And as for the offense - put in the simplest of terms:
It comes from you (religious fanatics) who think everyone believes as you do.
and won't let anyone else be happy unless it's your way.
The real question:
Why is "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holiday" offensive to you? That's where the problem really lies. Those who are bitching about what they say on the TV news or what pictures Starbucks puts on their cup? They're the ones who's mental problems are probably beyond cure.
As the historical record shows, the self proclaimed "religion of love" primarily loves to torture and kill anyone who doesn't follow their demands. Maybe you should spend more time reading your holy books and less time trying to bash skulls with them.
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos wrote: Why is "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holiday" offensive to you?
And you claim I am the one not reading.
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Do one, it's Christmas. Do you say Happy Holiday on the 31st? No, it's Happy New Year! Eid? Easter? Hanukkah? stet
Choose your faith, or none, choose your holidays, but don't change the name of other peoples!
veni bibi saltavi
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Happy Gin Nagy, Happy Gin!
... such stuff as dreams are made on
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Some organizations (and Mae West) may take that route, but few individuals do.
Please don't associate corporate policy with individual preference.
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It's called Christmas, and nothing else.
That would be like me telling the Muslims I don't like the word Ramadan, and wish them to call it "happy fasting month". Insulting, yes. So, our holiday is called Christmas, whether you like it or not. and the best part is, you don't have to be a Christian to celebrate it...or not.
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Attempting to wish someone a Merry Christmas without using the words "Merry Christmas" seems rather silly. If you have acknowledged Christmas then you obviously aren't offended by it, and I would assume that you are giving your sentiments to someone who is agreeable to receiving them.
Can we all stop being offended by everything, and just all accept that we are all different, and that it is these diffferences that make the world an interesting place.
"There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare
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Where have you been?
I remember some conservative talk-radio host in his 80s complaining about that trend about 15 years ago.
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megaadam wrote: But I have a feeling that this trend is stronger in the US than in the UK. Would you agree?
In the US it may even be a store-policy to do so.
Enough people who don't have a holiday during those days. Should we wish those people "happy workdays"?
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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I say Merry Christmas and I am US.
I feel that those who are not Christmas can either disregard or accept my wishings as being of goodwill
I feel that those that have issues with this or generally of the same group of those who cry of "cultural misappropriation". They would rather be guilty of "dilution".
I could care less about being Politically Correct. IMHO being PC is in itself politically incorrect.
Holiday comes from an Old English term for "Holy Day".
Director of Transmogrification Services
Shinobi of Query Language
Master of Yoda Conditional
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I don't really pay attention to what I say. I've likely said Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (plural - Christmas and New Years), Gud Yule, and perhaps a few others which are unmentionable in polite company.
The 'War on Christmas' rants annoy me. Most of them don't know that the tree, the lights, the feast, were all pagan traditions to begin with and simply assimilated because it's easier to do that then stamp out an entire idea.
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A policeman in Ystradgynlais stops a welshman in a car with a sheep in the front seat.
"What are you doing with that sheep?" He exclaimed, "You should take it to the zoo."
The following week, the same policeman sees the same welshman with the sheep again in the front seat, with both of them wearing sunglasses.
The policeman pulls him over.
"I thought you were going to take that sheep to the zoo!"
The welshman replied, "I did. We had such a good time we are going to the beach this weekend!"
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
modified 22-Dec-17 4:46am.
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After months of nagging I finally took my wife to the zoo. Sadly the caretakers didn't accept her.
GCS d-- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
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Were you tired of her monkeying around? 
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
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Yes, it was catastrophic... but she was dogged and manage to cow the caretakers to do her bidding.
GCS d-- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L+@ E-- W++ N+ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t+ 5? X R+++ tv-- b+(+++) DI+++ D++ G e++ h--- ++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X
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