As we celebrate the holiday season—whether it’s by trimming the tree or lighting the Hanukkah menorah—we tend to greet each other with good tidings.
But, while it was once customary for some to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas,” we now hear a large segment of the population saying “Happy Holidays,” in an attempt to be more politically correct.
For many businesses catering to the chaos of last-minute shoppers seeking holiday deals, wishing customers a “Happy Holiday” has become preferable since the greeting is religiously neutral and less likely to offend those celebrating Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, as well as anyone who does not observe the Christmas holiday.
While some people are overly sensitive to the religious sentiment, anyone who is offended by the well-wishes of another—for saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays”—is just ridiculous.
The majority of New Yorkers agree.
According to a recent study from the Siena Research Institute, 51 percent of New Yorkers polled prefer using “Merry Christmas” as their holiday greeting compared to 38 percent who say they prefer “Happy Holidays.”
So, whether you celebrate it or not, people shouldn’t be afraid to wish good tidings to anyone—after all, isn’t that what the spirit of Christmas is all about?
—Daniel Offner
