I'm just barely a cultural Christian. It is reasonably often that it is assumed without evidence that I'm male, white, American and Christian. Thank dog I'm not a lesbian, say I.

It is irritating. And I know that people that wish me a Merry Christmas aren't trying to oppress me, and I'd be much more likely to fly off the handle at someone that wished me a happy Kwanza. I like to start my guessing with the vaguest, not with the most prominent. It's my version of politeness. It's not possible to apply it universally, but I don't really guess race or religion or orientation, and consider it disrespectful of me (please note -- "of me" before anyone decides I'm harshing on them) to go ahead with an assumption on any of them.

It's raining here, and cold, for here. I have to get dressed and get to work, but I am very tempted to just stay in my jammies and read firefly quotes and then use it as an excuse to watch firefly.

There's really no question as to what you should do.

I'm not Christian, but I wish people a Merry Christmas on Christmas Day, because I figure it's Christmas whether you are celebrating it or not, and it might as well be merry.

I have a friend who really doesn't like getting wished Happy Holidays, especially after Hannukah has passed, because he figured whoever is saying it really means "Merry Christmas" and is just trying to be non-objectionable and for some reason that bugs him more. I don't fully understand it myself, but there are certainly anti-"Happy Holidays" types out there.

You're making perfect sense, as always, Nilly. And I think I will email him, because I really am curious about the change. Since we had exactly one assignment, and I got an A. Maybe I'll have to ask about a No Takebacks rule. Hmm.

And now I can't resist. HAPPY KWANZAA, ita! If it helps, I don't think I've ever assumed you were male, white, American, Christian, or gay, though.

"Happy Holidays" is the phrase I tend to use. If someone chooses to be offended by that... well, I guess that is someone who is desperately looking for ways to be offended and I just did them a favor.

I'm a "Happy Holidays" person. Because virtually everybody celebrates some holiday or other at this time of year. (ETA: New Year's is a holiday, too. Though soem people use different calendars.)

"Merry Christmas" doesn't particularly bother me by itself, though it could as part of a pattern. And then there's the neighbor who "corrected" Hubs when he wished her "Happy Holidays."

Cereal:

((((bt and family))))

Hi everyone! What a gorgeous day it is here. An inch or two of snow, enough to blanket the ground but not enough to screw up traffic, the sun is shining, and I woke up at 10:30 with the whole day to myself. Happy happy, joy joy.

Regarding the debate over wishing people Merry Christmas, I'll point to what Cindy said and nod my head. I am usually slightly ticked off when people assume that I'm Christian--or at least, when they act on that assumption--but "Merry Christmas!" doesn't ping me that way. At the same time, I recognize that other people feel differently, so I'm cautious to say it to strangers, and usually don't, though I do say "Happy Hanukkah" or Solstice or Diwali or what have you. The difference, in my mind at least, is that Christianity is usually the default assumption in the US, so I'm more reluctant to give the impression that I'm making that assumption, whereas it doesn't bother me with the other holidays because I like to recognize the ones that don't get as much attention. (Does that make sense to anyone but me?)

I also am really sorry for the 21,000 and counting dead in Asia and Africa. Nature can be terrifying.

Is this in reference to the earthquake and tsunamis in southern Asia? I wasn't aware that the effects had reached as far as Africa. Yikes.

I'll say "Merry Christmas" to someone that I know celebrates Christmas, if it's either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or the last time I'll see that person before Christmas. Same sort of reasoning for "Happy Chanukah" for someone I know celebrates Chanukah. If I don't know, or if it's either too early for Christmas or too late for Chanukah or something and I need some sort of holiday greeting, I'll go with "Happy Holidays."

I do occaisionally get annoyed at the "Merry Christmas"es, but it's mostly when it's from a salesperson and it's something like December 3.

Ugh.

In the coarse of taking the tree down (it was crispy and therefore time for it to go), I spilled water all over the floor. Dur. Stupid of me.

I think I'm going to Target today. It's not as fun as say, Burke Williams, but it's all I've got.

(Does that make sense to anyone but me?)

It makes sense to me.

I'm a happy holidays person, unless I know what holiday the person celebrates

Does that make sense to anyone but me?

Kate, yup. [Edit: so it's not just a Kate/Kat/your name should start with a "Kat" thing, then!]

Though it's kinda sad, in a way, that whichever you choose to do, no matter how good your intentions are, it seems like somebody will be bothered by your choice.