to have never heard anyone ever object to someone wishing the a "Merry Christmas"?

[DrSeuss]

Has anyone, ever, heard anyone of any faith or none object to this? Even Richard Dawkins says it! My Muslim friends wish me Merry Christmas, Mayim Bialik of Big Bang fame wishes her FB followers Merry Christmas despite being an Orthodox Jew!
Surely anyone with half a brain accepts that someone is offering you their good wishes and just returns them? Or, if someone says, "Well actually, I'm Jewish/Muslim/whatever and don't do Christmas.", surely you just say, "Sorry, I didn't realise, have a good holiday."

So why the big deal about the fact that we should/shouldn't say it?
It's just that well known American minority namely Evangelical Christians making a fuss about their "persecution", isn't it?

[EdmundCleverClogs]

Of course no one has an issue with 'Merry Christmas'. Anyone who's convinced themselves that others do are the same idiots who think that people are trying to 'ban the poppy' at this time of year. Usually bollocks perpetuated by thick, racists idiots. Luckily the majority of us just get on with it, regardless of beliefs and culture.

[Cavender]

I live in America in a Bible Belt state. I haven’t seen anyone complain about this or even mention it as an issue.

[MyOtherNameIsAFordFiesta]

It's a bit like the schools that cancel Nativity Plays in case they offend Muslims. I'm pretty sure there aren't too many Muslims out there who are too bothered.

[CoughLaughFart]

I think it's an American thing - 'Happy holidays' is the standard greeting in the US, so I get what the arguing is about there. I think most people just say 'Merry Christmas' in the UK.

[Fekko]

I've worked in companies where Christmas cards has to be non religious and not mention the C word, which defeats the purpose of bothering tbh.

[SeamstressfromTreacleMineRoad]

Any minute now, somebody will mention 'Winterval' as though it's real...

[annandale]

No never.

I will admit that I objected to colleagues asking patients at reception for their Christian names. This was after seeing a woman in a hijab asked for her Christian name which she objected to. Eventually it was decided that this was too PC and the reception staff were free to ask what they liked. I still think given name is better.

[Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar]

My Muslim neighbours send us Christmas cards.

[Love51]

I might object on the grounds that it is October. But once Advent has started, merry Christmas to all!

[Fekko]

So do my Muslim relatives (and Easter cards).

[DrSeuss]

I was trained to teach in Sheffield and so always say given name. Covers everyone nicely.
And the Nativity is in the Quran, so why would Muslims object? A friend did vaguely say she would have preferred her daughter to not sing carols referring to the Son of God but she wasn't making a fuss about it.

[TiesThatBindMe]

Reverse it though. If someone wished you a Happy Hannuka and you're Christian (however it's spelt), would you be a little perplexed? I'd just wish them a Happy Hannuka back I think. I don't get wound up about religion though. Live and let live.

[John4703]

I've had a few experiences that are relevant to this. In the 1970s I lived in Haifa and we put up a Christmas tree. One of our neighbours asked if they could come in and see the tree as it reminded them of a happy childhood in Europe. Both of the parents had a number tattooed on their arm as they had been held in Nazi concentration camps.
Much more recently in Glasgow the company I worked for decided not to put up a Christmas tree as they felt that it would offend the employees who are Muslim. A deputation of Muslim employees went to the management and got that decision changed.
I say that we should be sensitive and sensible and treat everyone with respect and that includes wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas" I don't want any of my friends to be miserable at any time and that includes Christians, Agnostics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and all others.

[TiesThatBindMe]

It's a bit like 4th of July or Thanksgiving or Australia Day (can't remember what it's called - Anzac day or something?), I would always try to give greetings to people for whom it's relevant. Like Happy St. Patrick's day to Irish. I wouldn't say it to an English person though. Horses for courses.

[bonfireheart]

Lol as a Muslim who lives in a
Multicultural area - anytime there's a Christmas event the Muslims are out enjoying it more than the christians!
I've never heard anyone complain, it's just some weird myth.

[TiesThatBindMe]

Any excuse for a party bonfireheart !

[Fekko]

I'm sure that there is a tiny minority of over vocal gobshites who yell the loudest and supposedly 'on behalf of...' and the hand-wringers get all very British about not upsetting anyone.

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

My parents did on the basis that merry implied drunk but they did come on a time slip from Puritanical 17th century England so probably doesn't count . Happy Christmas was fine though .

[sadiemm2]

No one in the UK genuinely objects to merry Christmas. I used to work for a highly multicultural city council, and we used happy holiday, to cover the myriad midwinter festivals. But also specified the actual days, so Christmas, Hanukkah, rids, etc. My Muslim colleagues sent us Christmas cards etc.... It's just a stupid right wing scare tactic

[tehmina23]

At our work Christmas parties colleagues of all religions attend & have fun

[Fekko]

There are done very po-faced people around so I can't believe that nobody objects to Christmas.

Actually I worked in an office where we weren't allowed to have a tree, decorations or cards up as the partners were very religious.

[SentimentalLentil]

Isn't the Happy Holidays things more to include Jewish people who might be celebrating hanukkah?

[Fekko]

I think it covers a multitude of events (including our new year).

[IvorHughJarrs]

YANBU to suggest it is not a problem
YABU to suggest it must be a minority, probably evangelical Christians. Why is it OK to suggest this without any proof? Surely it is just as wrong to blame Christians or Americans as to blame Muslims or Jews

[SenecaFalls]

"Isn't the Happy Holidays things more to include Jewish people who might be celebrating hanukkah?*

This is the main reason for it in the US.