Chanukah vent - stupid grocery store

[chobie]

I'm not one to get offended over the wrong holiday greeting, however in this case it should have been obvious that the customer celebrates Hanukkah. I guess that's when the generic, "Happy Holidays" would work, especially if someone wants to have something automatic coming out of their mouth.

As far as the Hanukkah candles, I don't like the grocery store ones. They tend to melt all over the places, which drives me crazy. We buy the more expesive ones which aren't usually so messy.

But Dawn, to use this icon shows sarcasm on your part, which I don't understand.

Yes, not very Christian is it?

 

[disneychrista]

I had a hard time finding Chanukah candles last year. But luckily was able to find them today. We are not Jewish but my DD decided last year that we should have a menorah and light the candles during Chanukah. Last year I bought small gifts for each night too, not sure I will be doing that this year or not.

Good luck on finding them, they do seem very hard to find for some reason.

 

[DawnCt1]

But Dawn, to use this icon shows sarcasm on your part, which I don't understand.

Because she seemed more angry and upset than the situation called for. I got the sense of "they didn't have what I wanted and then to add insult to injury, I got wished MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! What could be worse??"

 

[bubie2.5]

So Merry Christmas, no matter what holiday you personally celebrate!!

Thanks Dawn!! BTW, I celebrate Christmas and everything in life that is worth of a celebration. Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

No matter what religion one is or isn't. Christmas is a federal holiday and as such, a day off of work, to be enjoyed by all. For some it means more. So Merry Christmas, no matter what holiday you personally celebrate!!

The problem is, it's not up to Christians to decide how Jews (or those of other religions) should feel about Christmas. If they don't want to be wished a Merry Christmas, then we should respect that. So what if they get the day off work? I always got President's Day off of work, yet I've never wished anyone, nor had anyone wish me a Happy President's Day.

I agree that the clerks didn't intend to be rude, but probably just ignorantly said "Merry Christmas" automatically. It's the people who insist on wishing Merry Christmas to those who have indicated that they don't want to hear it, who are the insensitive ones.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Because she seemed more angry and upset than the situation called for. I got the sense of "they didn't have what I wanted and then to add insult to injury, I got wished MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! What could be worse??"

It's called a vent...we've all done it. No, it's not the end of the world, and I doubt that in the whole scheme of world events she thought this would make the top 5 list--maybe not even the top 10 list , but she was just letting off steam and maybe in the process educating some people.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I always got President's Day off of work, yet I've never wished anyone, nor had anyone wish me a Happy President's Day.

Not only that, but I get president's day off and I've not ever been and won't ever be a president!

And since our schools close for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, I suppose that I should wish all the Christians a "Happy High Holidays".

Sorry, just feeling snarky, but in a most loving non #10 way.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I had a hard time finding Chanukah candles last year. But luckily was able to find them today. We are not Jewish but my DD decided last year that we should have a menorah and light the candles during Chanukah. Last year I bought small gifts for each night too, not sure I will be doing that this year or not.

Good luck on finding them, they do seem very hard to find for some reason.

How wonderful that you are exposing your DD to different customs. Maybe this year make some latkes--that would be a fun way to show her part of the custom.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just to add, A million years ago, in the very small town of Princeton, Maine, I learned about Chanukah in Sunday School when I was about 6 years old. I had the lesson repeated often at the Clarendon St. Baptist Church in Boston where I also went to Sunday School. Chanukah is also a part of our Christian history as well.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You probably also learned about Passover. Even I remember learning about that at church in my VERY WASPy town in Oregon. Doubt that the word Passover ever came up until I met and married my Jewish boyfriend.

 

[DawnCt1]

The problem is, it's not up to Christians to decide how Jews (or those of other religions) should feel about Christmas. If they don't want to be wished a Merry Christmas, then we should respect that. So what if they get the day off work? I always got President's Day off of work, yet I've never wished anyone, nor had anyone wish me a Happy President's Day.

Well then, let me be the first to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Presidents Day. As a Christian, I do not have to decide how Jews or anyone else feels about Christmas but on the other hand, I shouldn't have to figure out if it will be interpreted as "an insult", particularly if it was a message that was delivered with a generous spirit.

 

[DawnCt1]

You probably also learned about Passover. Even I remember learning about that at church in my VERY WASPy town in Oregon. Doubt that the word Passover ever came up until I met and married my Jewish boyfriend.

Every year we learned about Passover. As a child I never considered Passover or Chanukah "just for Jews". I thought it was for all of us and just a part of my Christian heritage.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Well then, let me be the first to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Presidents Day. As a Christian, I do not have to decide how Jews or anyone else feels about Christmas but on the other hand, I shouldn't have to figure out if it will be interpreted as "an insult", particularly if it was a message that was delivered with a generous spirit.

As far as that goes, I'm about the least PC person, as long as the good sentiment is there. I don't really care what greeting is said to me as long as it is meant respectfully. I think a "holiday" tree is one of the most studid things I've ever heard of. I like learning about all different cultures and religions. But to knowingly wish someone "happy whatever", when you know they don't celebrate that whatever, is a bit insensitive. And I'll give that worker the benefit of the doubt and assume they didn't mean anything bad by their Christmas wish, but maybe next time they'll give it a little more thought.

And yep, the Old Testament is most certainly important to Christians, too.

 

[flminivanmama]

as long as the good sentiment is there. I don't really care what greeting is said to me as long as it is meant respectfully..... But to knowingly wish someone "happy whatever", when you know they don't celebrate that whatever, is a bit insensitive.

ITA!! I never ever mind when someone wishes me "merry Chirstmas" and always take it in the spirit in which it was intended... and always say "thank you, you too"

but what the bagger did IMO was NOT nice - and I'm a little surprised you A)can't see that and B)keep insisting that the bag boy was in the right & the OP was wrong...

 

[suzannen]

Well then, let me be the first to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Presidents Day. As a Christian, I do not have to decide how Jews or anyone else feels about Christmas but on the other hand, I shouldn't have to figure out if it will be interpreted as "an insult", particularly if it was a message that was delivered with a generous spirit.

I think the whole point was, that knowing this person did not celebrate Christmas, it WASN'T "delivered with a generous spirit." Since the bagger had just heard the earlier conversation, it does not seem to have been an accidental slip, but just plain insulting. Sorry the OP had to go through that. I was a Christian who converted to Judaism and until then, I had no idea of how often either by ignorance or on purpose, members of other non-Christian faiths were hurt by the mere slip of a tongue. It's sad really. I converted 15 years ago and to this day, my family only knows enough to wish me "Happy Hanukkah" and have yet to bother to learn or acknowledge the important High Holy Days to me and my family.

I wish the best of the holiday season to all my fellow DISers, whatever your family tradition.

 

[Skywalker]

I can recall a discussion on our local talk radio station about how Christmas is becoming so politically incorrect. Well, it turned out in the end the consensus of the callers and the guests was that all of this "holiday tree" and "The Holiday That Shall Not Be Named" nonsense was all a result of overzealous politicians trying to gain favour and not actually people who complained or were insulted about Christmas. Certainly in our multi-cultural societies nobody would be offended at mention of "Christmas"!

But what do you know, this thread tells me otherwise. Huh.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

But what do you know, this thread tells me otherwise. Huh.

Did you read the whole thread?

 

[disneysteve]

We are not Jewish but my DD decided last year that we should have a menorah and light the candles during Chanukah. Last year I bought small gifts for each night too, not sure I will be doing that this year or not.

Just curious - have you also taught your DD about why Chanukah is celebrated? I think it is wonderful if you are doing so and educating her about the history that goes along with the holiday. This is the single best way to foster tolerance, understanding and acceptance of those who are different from ourselves.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I I was a Christian who converted to Judaism and until then, I had no idea of how often either by ignorance or on purpose, members of other non-Christian faiths were hurt by the mere slip of a tongue. It's sad really. I converted 15 years ago and to this day, my family only knows enough to wish me "Happy Hanukkah" and have yet to bother to learn or acknowledge the important High Holy Days to me and my family.

I also converted to Judaism 24 years ago. Some of my family has been good, but others, like my mother, are clueless. She didn't come to my son's Bar Mitzvah because she "didn't have enough notice". LOL How many years did she need? We told her about it at least 2 years in advance. My sisters came, though (and one sister came to my DD's Bat Mizvah 3 years before) and really enjoyed it and gained an understanding of the event. I've been reminding my mother about the next Bar Mitzvah (Nov 2006) for the last 2 years. Afterall, she needs enough notice.

In general, though, I've learned to celebrate the people who make it to these milestones and not lose sleep over those who don't.

 

[flminivanmama]

But what do you know, this thread tells me otherwise. Huh.