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Boards "Happy Holidays" announcement??

  • 25-12-2011 4:03pm
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 8,632 ✭✭✭


    Whats the deal with that?? Why not say "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Xmas"???

    Is there something wrong with wishing people a happy christmas?

    This happy holidays nonsense belongs to the crazies in the States... is this also what boards is eluding to?

    http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16136964
    Post edited by Shield on
    Tagged:


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,429 ✭✭✭✭star-pants


    Moved from Christmas as it's not really what that forum is about. This is more of a general question about a message on the site.

    One assumes it is something to do with the fact that there are so many boards users, all over the world with many different cultures/religions that to say 'Merry Christmas' means only a message to some, whereas wishing people a 'Happy Holiday' extends to more people.

    Personally I prefer Merry Christmas but then again, those I say it to generally celebrate Christmas.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    I know the site caters for a lot of religions, but a lot of us do believe in Christmas as we know it and use "Merry Christmas". I hate the way our country is turning into being "Politically Polite" because we cater for a larger audience.

    If I go to another country, they don't change for me!

    Happy Holidays is just an example of being PC and its disappointing is all. Would be nice to just cater for the default.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,996 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    So, someone gives ye best wishes for the occasion that's in it, and ye give out that they used the wrong words in their greeting?

    LOL. I thought the presents would have satisfied most people's sense of entitlement today.

    (Being an atheist at Christmas is still fun, by the way. :cool: )


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    So, someone gives ye best wishes for the occasion that's in it, and ye give out that they used the wrong words in their greeting?

    LOL. I thought the presents would have satisfied most people's sense of entitlement today.

    (Being an atheist at Christmas is still fun, by the way. :cool: )

    Its petty and a storm in a tea cup, but its a pet hate of mine anyway. :p

    Did ya get any pressies or do ya ignore the occasion? :p


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,996 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Sully wrote: »
    Its petty and a storm in a tea cup, but its a pet hate of mine anyway. :p

    Did ya get any pressies or do ya ignore the occasion? :p

    Presents for all. :) I still say "Merry Christmas" to people too. It's nice to be nice, so I probably shouldn't have been so flippant in my last post. :o


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    It could have been worse:
    Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all. Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,339 ✭✭✭✭LoLth


    darkman2 wrote: »
    Whats the deal with that?? Why not say "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Xmas"???

    Is there something wrong with wishing people a happy christmas?

    This happy holidays nonsense belongs to the crazies in the States... is this also what boards is eluding to?

    http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16136964

    Merry Significant Calendar Date!


    happy now?


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,162 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    LoLth wrote: »
    Merry Significant Calendar Date!


    happy now?

    As a bitter bastard this sickens me and I find it offensive. No one should ever be happy, no matter the occasion.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    I don't like "Happy holidays" either - it's Christmas ffs, everyone knows it. Even if people don't celebrate it, they're just going to have to put up with it happening.
    Using "Happy holidays" also gives ammunition to the "PC gone mad" brigade.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,124 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    Baby Jesus wept


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 46,938 ✭✭✭✭Nodin


    Baby Jesus wept

    Aye, that straws not comfortable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,650 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    Dudess wrote: »
    I don't like "Happy holidays" either - it's Christmas ffs, everyone knows it. Even if people don't celebrate it, they're just going to have to put up with it happening.
    Using "Happy holidays" also gives ammunition to the "PC gone mad" brigade.

    Given that right now we are in the midst of Hannukah, as told by some Israeli friends, Happy Holidays is very much appropriate given there are at least two cultures holidays being celebrated right now.

    Not to mention people who celebrate the winter Solstice and the turn of the sun around these days too.

    Quanza starts tomorrow, but lets be fair, that's a truely made up holiday beginning in 1966/7.

    To be honest, I see it as more of a present giving day and to show appreciation of Family and friends. I'm pretty damn athiest though and tend to not even enter churches for Funerals.

    So, while saying Happy Holidays is probably a little PC, it's better than having people bitch about their particular holiday not being greeted. It's a nice catch-all rather than naming a few different ones that are being celebrated and happening to leave out the pagan's or whoever else.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    Quanza starts tomorrow, but lets be fair, that's a truely made up holiday beginning in 1966/7.

    So exactly when does it become a real holiday? Christmas on December 25 only began in about 336 CE. At what point did that stop being a made up holiday and become a real one? (I actually have no idea what Quanza is and deliberately haven't looked it up yet).

    As for Christmas I've a family of atheists and we still say Happy Christmas, exchange gifts etc. The religious aspect is irrelevant to us. But "Happy Holidays" still rankles as an Americanism where all language must be tailored to ensure nobody can be offended. That's what PC is - it's the language of fear of offending. aka Rubbish.

    In summary:

    186280.png


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,686 ✭✭✭✭PDN


    Since the word 'holidays' was originally 'holy days,' it seems an appropriate greeting to me.

    So, Happy Holy Days everybody!


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,919 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Happy Holidays = Happy Christmas and New Year. There's no other significant religious holiday which occurs annually at this time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,339 ✭✭✭✭LoLth


    There's no other significant religious holiday which occurs annually at this time.

    careful now


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    Happy birthday, Mithras. don't worry if those pesky christians stole your birthday to hawk their cult, they're always up to that stuff. You'll still be Number One to me! Alongside Osiris, Zoroaster, Krishna, Prometheus and all the others who were born today thousands of years before that jesus chap. Obviously.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,522 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    darkman2 wrote: »
    Whats the deal with that?? Why not say "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Xmas"???

    Is there something wrong with wishing people a happy christmas?

    This happy holidays nonsense belongs to the crazies in the States... is this also what boards is eluding to?

    http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16136964

    Why do you prefer to exclude rather than include?

    Things change, you can't force repetition, we move and adapt to suit our desires. This is why christmas isn't about Christ anymore, but about Santa and family. So whoever is annoyed at "happy holidays": you brought it on yourself by bringing Santa in to take over.

    Happy holidays :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,467 ✭✭✭Oasis_Dublin


    Couldn't agree more with the idea that Happy Holidays is American-PC-patent-nonsense gone mad.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,919 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    LoLth wrote: »
    careful now

    Why, what one am I missing?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 roger_pearse


    Sarky wrote: »
    Happy birthday, Mithras. don't worry if those pesky christians stole your birthday to hawk their cult, they're always up to that stuff. You'll still be Number One to me! Alongside Osiris, Zoroaster, Krishna, Prometheus and all the others who were born today thousands of years before that jesus chap. Obviously.

    Poor chap. Another atheist for whom facts are something that other people learn, and who doesn't know how to use Google. :D

    I love the way that atheists hate the season of goodwill, tho.

    All the best,

    Roger Pearse


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    Poor chap. Another atheist for whom facts are something that other people learn, and who doesn't know how to use Google. :D

    I love the way that atheists hate the season of goodwill, tho.
    Nope, lots don't.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 roger_pearse


    Dudess wrote: »
    Nope, lots don't.

    I love the way that atheists respond to inconvenient facts with monosyllablic denial.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    Gordon wrote: »
    Why do you prefer to exclude rather than include?

    Things change, you can't force repetition, we move and adapt to suit our desires. This is why christmas isn't about Christ anymore, but about Santa and family. So whoever is annoyed at "happy holidays": you brought it on yourself by bringing Santa in to take over.

    Happy holidays :)

    Who says we don't have both? Santa has been celebrated just as much as Christ was, over the years.

    Happy Holidays was a phrase used to suit non-Catholics/believers.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    I was out celebrating the end of Ramadan with a Muslamic friend a few years ago. Sickened with myself for it and uttering Eid Mubarak. I have no doubt she feels the same when I say Merry Christmas to her and she returns the phrase...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 88,968 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    I am disappointed but maybe not surprised that boards.ie with its cafe latte, metrosexual Guardian reading Admins bias has chosen to offend Christians and traditionalists in this manner.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Boards caters for a lot of religions, it's only right to make them feel comfortable.

    For any Community fans -



  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 18,802 CMod ✭✭✭✭The Black Oil


    Reminded me of the end of a Coca Cola ad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 ✭✭✭Morag


    Why, what one am I missing?

    Winter Soltice/Yule is a religious holiday celebrated by pagans, of which there are many who use this site, for one and this year Hannukkah is celebrated from Sunset, December 20 to sunset, December 28 and we have Jewish members of the site also.
    So frankly your ignorance is showing.

    Just because you are celebrating christmas it does not follow everyone else is.


    If happy holidays are upsetting people that much maybe switch to something else.

    "Because you're great, it bears relatin'
    Happy What-You're-Celebratin'
    From me to you, it's worth restatin'
    Happy What-You're-Celebratin'
    Raise a glass, invite your mate in
    Whether or not the date's worth ratin'
    Take a break from What-You're-Hatin'
    Happy What-You're-Celebratin'"


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,438 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    I absent-mindedly wished a Jewish friend 'Happy Christmas' a couple of days ago. He wasn't too worried.

    I don't think we would mind Happy Holidays if the Americans hadn't thought of it first.:pac:


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,919 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Sharrow wrote: »
    Winter Soltice/Yule is a religious holiday celebrated by pagans, of which there are many who use this site, for one and this year Hannukkah is celebrated from Sunset, December 20 to sunset, December 28 and we have Jewish members of the site also.
    So frankly your ignorance is showing.

    Rubbish. The fact that Hanukkah (you might learn how to spell it before calling other people ignorant) happens to be during this week this year and the end of Ramadan is very occasionally at the end of December is of no consequence. If these were the reason for the phrase 'happy holidays' then every year that they didn't coincide with the 25th you'd have people complaining about insensitive Christians giving good wishes on the wrong date.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23 roger_pearse


    Sharrow wrote: »
    Winter Soltice/Yule is a religious holiday celebrated by pagans ... So frankly your ignorance is showing.

    Know anything other than hearsay about Yule? Or is your ignorance showing?
    Just because you are celebrating christmas it does not follow everyone else is.

    Feel free not to! You'll be working on 25 Dec., right? Or making an excuse while bitching about others? :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,427 ✭✭✭Morag


    Rubbish. The fact that Hanukkah (you might learn how to spell it before calling other people ignorant).

    :rolleyes:

    Not ignorant just dyslexic.

    Know anything other than hearsay about Yule? Or is your ignorance showing?

    I and many pagans who celebrate this both in Ireland and world wide.

    Feel free not to! You'll be working on 25 Dec., right? Or making an excuse while bitching about others? :D

    I have worked Dec 25 in previous years when my job required it, and other pagan holidays as well which are not bank holidays.
    The 25h is a Bank Holiday so many people don't work it.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 24,056 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sully


    I wasn't that bothered lads, I didn't expect a bloody row over it.

    But as a Catholic, I forgive each and every one of ye. :D


  • Registered Users, Subscribers, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47,365 ✭✭✭✭Zaph


    mike65 wrote: »
    I am disappointed but maybe not surprised that boards.ie with its cafe latte, metrosexual Guardian reading Admins bias has chosen to offend Christians and traditionalists in this manner.

    I take great offence to this. I despise lattes.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭Sparks


    Hm. So, I'm celebrating the solstice, christmas and new year's in the one set of holidays.
    So for me, "Happy Holidays" is just the efficient thing to say.

    (ps. Christians aren't traditionalists. You crazy kooks celebrate the solstice three days late, using a german tree, pagan holly and mistletoe and other greenery brought into the home, a 1950s coca-cola Santa, an English pudding, and an American bird as the central part of your exceptionally ancient feast meal - the origins of which predate written history... So :P :D )


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭Sparks


    Zaph wrote: »
    I take great offence to this. I despise lattes.

    A-****ing-men. Give me a filtered coffee or an espresso if I ask for coffee, not something invented for american GIs who couldn't stomach proper Italian coffee in WW2...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    Sparks wrote: »
    (ps. Christians aren't traditionalists. You crazy kooks celebrate the solstice three days late, using a german tree, pagan holly and mistletoe and other greenery brought into the home, a 1950s coca-cola Santa, an English pudding, and an American bird as the central part of your exceptionally ancient feast meal - the origins of which predate written history... So :P :D )

    What's your point? :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭Sparks


    Orion wrote: »
    What's your point? :p
    My deeply held philosophical belief states that at this time of year the point is shut up and pass the roast spuds and do you have enough wine in your glass there?
    :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,783 ✭✭✭Hank_Jones


    Honestly don't think I have ever uttered the phrase "Happy Holidays" once in my life.

    Seems funny that the use of the phrase has ended up offending a fair few people,
    when the intention was to include all and offend none. :pac:


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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,919 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Hank_Jones wrote: »
    Honestly don't think I have ever uttered the phrase "Happy Holidays" once in my life.

    Seems funny that the use of the phrase has ended up offending a fair few people,
    when the intention was to include all and offend none. :pac:

    If that really was the intention, it's a fairly ham-fisted attempt. Really now, if you want to be inclusive, by all means go ahead, but do it properly. Wish people a happy Eid, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali... but make the effort to do it at the right time instead of trying to shoehorn some largely insignificant festival in with your Christmas wishes.

    How would you feel if, during Eid ul Fitr, Muslims made a point of adding "and have a wonderful feast of the Assumption!" so as to not make you feel upset? You'd either cringe, laugh good-heartedly at the well-intentioned but ultimately misguided sentiments or stare blankly and ask "feast of the wha'?"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    I love the way that atheists respond to inconvenient facts with monosyllablic denial.
    I love "christians" who sneer at, and make up bullsh1t about people.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,339 ✭✭✭✭LoLth


    Ok, I think this thread has irrevocably moved away from feedback. However, it has been useful and educational in its own way.

    froma personal (non-admin) persepctive:

    1. Some people will take offense at anything, no matter how innoccuous or well intentioned unless its phrased exactly as they want it to be , even though that phrasing might be more offensive to others.

    2. Perhaps Boards.ie shouldnt bother with any form of well wishing in future and treat users and members of the community as "customers" and resources only to avoid unintentional upset.

    3. it still amazes me that so often, the ones who preach "goodwill" , "understanding" and "acceptance" are rarely the ones to show it.



    from an admin perspective:

    thread closed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,840 ✭✭✭Dav


    I'm sorry to drag this up again, but there are some things I wanted to address and since I was on my holidays, I wasn't going to do it until today when I got back to the office.

    1) I am not a Christian, so saying "Happy Christmas" to someone is somewhat silly not to mention hypocritical. As it happens, I'm a pagan and so celebrated Yule on the 21st like many others across the world. On a similar note, I was taught in Irish classes in school to say "Dia dhuit" (God be with you) as a greeting and "Dia is Mhuire dhuit" (God and Mary be with you) as a response, but if ever I break into a cúpla focail these days, I would never say this - I'll opt for "Chonas atá tú?" (how are you) instead. It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but making these distinctions is important to me.

    2) Anecdotal evidence suggests to me that the majority of members of this site identify as Atheist or to some extent, Agnostic, so again, saying Happy Christmas makes little sense. A non-religious and secular wish is "catering to the default" as Sully put it. Maybe that's not the case, but there certainly seems to be a big enough number of posters who are vocal about their lack of belief.

    3) I will never cease to be amazed at humanity's ability to find something to whinge about and I sat staring at this thread for 30 minutes wondering "why did I even bother?" You should see some of the messages that were left on the Announcement Thread (replies on that forum are unapproved). The guy wishing me to "DIE LONG AND HARD" has been site-banned and I suspect most of you will agree that issuing death threats because of the wording used on a message of good wishes to the members of the site is somewhat over the top...

    So next <insert winter festival you celebrate towards the end of December of choice>, when I find myself in bed and about to go to sleep and I think "oh, it's ticked over to the 25th, I should post a message with some good wishes to the people of Boards" and I pick up my phone to type it, should I not bother?

    Or maybe I'll just ignore the whingers and carry on because you know what? You folks are what makes this site and I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to wish you all well and share in the festive spirit with you all. :)

    So I hope everyone had a good holiday/season/end of year/whatever - I know I did. Here's to a fine 2012 for us all!


This discussion has been closed.
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