To say happy Diwali to all of my customers when I am not Hindu or Sikh?

[FrancineSmith]

I am currently working on a fireworks counter. For context, I am a white British atheist. Over the past couple of days a number of my customers have wished me a happy Diwali as they finished their purchases and I have wished them one back. As today is Diwali, WIBU to wish ALL of my customers a happy Diwali, in the same way I might say Merry Christmas, or is that not considered appropriate? I am not a Christian, but I recognise that there is obviously a cultural element to Christmas too. My only goal is to share the joy and make my customers happy. I have had Hindu and Sikh friends over the years who have welcomed me into their celebrations of Diwali, but I’m not sure that saying it first when it is not MY celebration is ok. My husband is concerned that if I say it to someone who is Asian but not Hindu or Sikh, they may be offended and think I am making assumptions because of their race, and not realise that I am saying it to everyone.

Yes - IABU and should just respond if someone says it to me first.

No - IANBU and wishing everyone a happy Diwali is a nice thing to do.

Ye just do it if you want.

I would personally only say it back to anyone who says it to you

When I worked in retail we weren't even supposed to say things like merry Christmas or happy Easter unless the customer says it first. Just avoids any unintentional offense being caused

Ah I think you're husband's right.
I mean if they're the right religion, not a problem but you won't know that

I work in nursing and embrace any celebration - I love it. My children do too .
Just feel for the social queues and whether or not someone would appreciate it. You know how people can get!

I'd say it back but not instigate it. Best case scenario, endearing and inclusive. Worst case, bat shit and ignorant. Not worth the risk!

I wouldn’t. It could look like a ‘brown people all celebrate Diwali’ assumption.

Customer : "Happy Diwali"
You : "Thank you. Enjoy the fireworks"

Customer : says nothing
You "Thank you. Enjoy the fireworks"

Your husband is right, you don't know the religion of the customer and you may unintentionally cause offence. Also, why would you assume that every customer is celebrating Diwali given they may well be buying fireworks for bonfire night? Or are you only going to say it to ones who "look Asian enough" in your view? (Which is worse.)

To my mind, you have the option of potentially causing offence by saying it to everyone, or not causing offence by only saying it when people say it to you first. Why take the chance?

If a customer said Happy Diwali to me, I'd say it back. If a customer didn't say it to me, then I wouldn't bring it up just in case I accidentally caused offence despite meaning well.

I'd probably ask, "Oh are these for bonfire or Diwali?"

If you say it to the wrong person, it goes down about as well as wishing a Hindu customer Eid Mubarak.

Safest not to.

@HarrietsChariot

Your husband is right, you don't know the religion of the customer and you may unintentionally cause offence. Also, why would you assume that every customer is celebrating Diwali given they may well be buying fireworks for bonfire night? Or are you only going to say it to ones who "look Asian enough" in your view? (Which is worse.)

To my mind, you have the option of potentially causing offence by saying it to everyone, or not causing offence by only saying it when people say it to you first. Why take the chance?

I think you’ve misunderstood my intention here - I’m not looking to say it to those who I assume are celebrating Diwali, but to everyone regardless of colour in the same way one might say Merry Christmas to everyone on Xmas eve. I see yours and my husband’s point though, about causing unintended offence and will probably just respond to those who say it first. It just seems such a shame not to share the joy on such a lovely occasion, but I definitely don’t want to upset anyone.

I should point out that I am Hindu & quite like being wished Happy Diwali / Christmas / Eid etc. As there are many white and black Hindu converts in the UK I would just assume you were too.

So you’re saying I shouldn’t even say it in response to someone saying to me first? It literally made a little girl jump up and down with a big smile on her face when I said happy Diwali back to her yesterday. That’s what made me think of this.

Ah, this may be part of the problem - I’m not great at social cues 😂. That’s kind of why I’m asking

@sashh

I'd probably ask, "Oh are these for bonfire or Diwali?"

That’s not a bad idea, thanks

Thank you for the insight

Fine to say it in return I think but not as a blanket thing. I like the bonfire night/Diwali idea - it opens the conversation and is inviting.

Hm

I get why you're asking but I also think if it's inauthentic to you, it's inauthentic to say it.

So if Diwali isn't something you personally celebrate or believe in, it's a bit strange to be saying it to everyone you encounter.

Personally I'd love to hear it from you first! It's a lovely gesture. If anyone says "oh I don't celebrate it" just apologise politely. I can't imagine anyone taking offence.

I'd probably ask, "Oh are these for bonfire or Diwali?"

I'd certainly avoid asking valued customers closed questions. I'd more likely ask are they for a special occasion, Bonfire Night, Diwali or something else?

As for saying "Happy Diwali" , I'd consider it pretty false / inauthentic if you don't celebrate. Or even know what it means.

What would you say if someone assumed you really were celebrating and continued the conversation in that line, thinking they had found a kindred spirit.

I would be very happy to reply in kind to anyone who wished me 'Happy Anything'

I'm white British and wouldn't take offence to you saying it to me, but I would think it's a bit strange coming from another white British person (although you could, of course, be celebrating).

I can understand what others are saying about potentially offending someone who might think you're saying it because of their skin colour.

I am a non practicing Hindu and brown person. Would be quite happy for anyone to wish me Happy Diwali, Eid Mubarak or Merry Xmas. I don't look for things to be offended by. A kind gesture on your part.

I think stick to saying it back to people who say it to you. They're very unlikely to get offended! And you're wishing THEM a happy insert occasion here, which is perfectly appropriate even if you're not celebrating, surely?

I'm ludicrously bad with social cues myself, but I'd be delighted to be wished a happy anything, really, it's all in the spirit of happiness and inclusivity.

Some people might not like it, mostly racists but also people who might think you are assuming Brown skin = Hindu
I know that some friends of Asian background get a bit annoyed when told what they are eating is Halal when they haven’t asked and aren’t Muslim