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Actually for a while the major department stores couldn't say "Merry Christmas" to customers for fear of backlash from people mostly of athiestic or Jewish background. Now it's up to associate discretion on what phrase to use to greet customers.

FOr fear of getting sued is more important than being kind to your fellow man nowadays.

Honestly, what kind of person sues someone for saying "merry christmas" to them? It's a kind phrase, not a discriminatory one. People will do anything for money they didn't earn.

camthepyro wrote: It's kinda like the swastika, an incredibly misunderstood symbol, because the nazis used it. It was actually a symbol of purity (which is why the nazis used it for their "pure" race).

The literal meaning of the word swastika is "good fortune" or "well being" and had existed for thousands of years before hitler used it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

Oh, CNF, I definitely was raise in a way that demonstrated childhood wasn't about hugs and sunshine! Part of never having kids was the fear I'd be like my own parents - they provided the necessities, but that was it. There were no discussions. We never made christmas lists or begged for "stuff". We always go what we needed for christmas (underwear, school supplies, I once got a new school uniform...) as well as some reasonable toys. One of themost extravagant things I got was one of those scooters you push with your foot. I astounds me how pepole I work with spend thousands on their kids' christmas presents, then complain later in the year they don't have $ to get their car fixed. I just knew I would never be able to sacrifice MY necessities for my kids. (My parents did not do that at all).

I am always wary of saying Merry Christmas to people becasue I can't tell their religion or participation in Christmas just from looking at them. A good many people say "Enjoy YOUR Holiday" which always reminds me of the Seinfeld with the Constanza's "Festivus", as if MY holiday is different from the rest....

I worked with very nice people who were of a faith that does not say "god bless you" when someone sneezes. I had no idea, until one told me. She was really nice about it, and we subsequently had good conversation about her beliefs. PRior to understanding, I was always thinking how rude it was that they didn't say "thank you". I guess I never thought of really what is said as sneeze as religious - I just thought it was manners, like holding open a door.

Uh, sounds like your parents had the right idea Candy. Although it IS fun to make xmas lists, that doesn't mean you get everything on it.

Those parents you describe spending so much on their kids, thats the sad state of the US consumer these days. They spend and spend, then whine that they don't have money when something comes up, or when gas rises 10 cents a gallon.

I guess these parents don't understand that by sacrificing necessities for your kids just hurts them, not only by the fact that the parent is the one running the household and needs to maintain necessities, but by providing a very poor example of financial management. You can sacrifice luxuries for your kids if you so desire, like skipping buying that jet ski to get your kid a playstation, but if you can't afford to fix your car something is wrong.

PS: Candy you can round that out to a nice "bless you" instead. But yes, you are right, your friend WAS very rude. It cannot be expected for others to know all your personal beliefs unless you specify them, and frankly it is presumptuous to demand everyone conform to your beliefs when they are around you. Saying god bless you is a courtesy, a gesture of friendliness regardless of whether it may have religious connotations.

Think of it this way, if you walked into a deli owned by Muslims and as you left the cashier said "May the grace of Allah warm your day," or something like that, what would you do? I hope your first instinct is to say thanks, maybe with a "You too" tacked on. You wouldn't stare at them or ignore them, because that's rude.

If someone says god bless you to me, I thank them. If someone tells me I am in their prayers, I thank them. Next time you sit down and have a talk with your new friend, you might want to remind her that differences in beliefs does not exempt oneself from common courtesy.

at no time will everyone be happy, so I just do whatever you think is right.


I'll also second, I will NEVER live in a place where an association tells me what I can and cant do. I can't be ruled by tards.

I would return the good wish whatever their custom is! I generally part company with "good luck" and tell people at holiday time to "enjoy!". I myself am not religious, but I respect anyone who is (except harmful extremists).

I hate the junk around the holidays - who can't put up their nativity, who can't put up a menorah... I have no problem with the tree, menorah, and the peace sign all being together. It's all good! And if you don't believe at all - why can't it just be pretty? Or that the holiday time is a "good" time. I am trying - as always - at the start of the season - to enjoy it. For me, christmas is "the season of disappointments". I always hope THIS year wil be different. (I have already given my assistants pointsetias, and scheduled our floor's holiday "snack" day, with a grab bag....

Candy750 wrote: I worked with very nice people who were of a faith that does not say "god bless you" when someone sneezes.

Isn't there a Seinfeld episode that covers that as well? I think the sneeze response is, "You are soooooo good lookin'".

Most of these strata places vote the strata executives in. If you are living in a strata complex then be sure to be involved in the monthly meetings so you know the people who are being elected to run the strata. At least then you can vote for someone who has common sense.

I do prefer to own my own property. If I have a problem with a neighbor I just go for a few early morning rides at 5:00 AM on my Harley of course giving it a few minutes to warm up. Then in the evenings I can turn up my stereo until the local municipality noise bylaw cuts in at 11:00 PM.

It just takes a little time for new neighbors to get use to me.

flynrider wrote:

Candy750 wrote: I worked with very nice people who were of a faith that does not say "god bless you" when someone sneezes.

Isn't there a Seinfeld episode that covers that as well? I think the sneeze response is, "You are soooooo good lookin'".

LOL thats sounds good. I'll try that.

Saying "god bless you" after sneezing is a superstition. Something about the spirit leaves the body while sneezing.

Wiki can explain it better than me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneezing#T ... o_a_sneeze