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.

I think your husband made a good point and also think it would be strange to say this to anyone who isn’t Sikh or Hindu which is impossible to tell just by looking at someone. I wouldn’t say it unless instigated by the customer. Most of your customers will be buying fireworks for tomorrow so will probably be a bit confused if you say ‘Happy Diwali’.

I think most of the brown people on this thread say they are not offended?:) Wishing someone Happy Diwali- even unprompted- means wishing them happiness, health and prosperity for the year ahead. Nobody could possibly object to that. I sometimes think we all walk on eggshells these days and it is a pity.

@MareofBeasttown

I think most of the brown people on this thread say they are not offended?:) Wishing someone Happy Diwali- even unprompted- means wishing them happiness, health and prosperity for the year ahead. Nobody could possibly object to that. I sometimes think we all walk on eggshells these days and it is a pity.

They have, but I've certainly had Muslim friends and ex-students roll their eyes and view it as tone-deaf white cultural virtue-signalling.

(Mind you, this thread is also reminding me that I wasn't able to buy a single Diwali card in central Leicester a few years ago, despite trying all the main card shops.)

@PlausibleSuit

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.

I authentically feel joy when others experience joy. So for me, the buzz and excitement of any festival or celebration is a source of joy and to be able to wish that to others makes me happy and, I hope, passes some of that joy onto them.

Mind you, this thread is also reminding me that I wasn't able to buy a single Diwali card in central Leicester a few years ago, despite trying all the main card shops.)*

Clintons and Card Factory in Leicester both sell them but obvs as there is a large Hindu population they do sell out quickly.

@UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername

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.

I feel the same about being wished a happy anything, I’ve been wished happy Diwali, Eid Mubarak, Merry Christmas etc and just felt happy about and returned the gesture. But I think you and others are right, that it is probably safer to just stick to saying it back.

I work with a team in India who are all hindu and always initiate saying it to them, it's a huge celebration for them and I'm all for the sharing of good cheer.

I admit though, these are colleagues I know well and am familiar with. I probably wouldnt run the risk of saying it to someone strange unless they said it as a greeting, at which time I would of course respond

@Ozanj

Mind you, this thread is also reminding me that I wasn't able to buy a single Diwali card in central Leicester a few years ago, despite trying all the main card shops.)*

Clintons and Card Factory in Leicester both sell them but obvs as there is a large Hindu population they do sell out quickly.

I tried both of them one after the other, and they had none! In fact, I think they said they didn't stock them, which I thought was weird given how many Leicester people celebrate Diwali. (I mean, I'm sure I'd have been spoilt for choice out on the Belgrave Rd, but I was on foot and in a hurry.) That might have been the year we ended up making DS draw his own cards for friends -- his 'exploding diya' was memorable...

This was a few years ago, though.

Could you have a card or banner up? So it is there but you aren't actively saying it then people can see that it is more of something you are wishing everyone who comes to the counter not just those you think are celebrating Diwali. I think between two people who are not celebrating Diwali it would seem a little strange, just as I wouldn't expect two Hindus to automatically wish each other a Happy Christmas. If I knew someone was Hindu then I would wish them a happy Diwali.

@Cattitudes

Could you have a card or banner up? So it is there but you aren't actively saying it then people can see that it is more of something you are wishing everyone who comes to the counter not just those you think are celebrating Diwali. I think between two people who are not celebrating Diwali it would seem a little strange, just as I wouldn't expect two Hindus to automatically wish each other a Happy Christmas. If I knew someone was Hindu then I would wish them a happy Diwali.

Great idea, unfortunately we are not allowed to put up any 'unapproved' signage. I can try to ask head office, but I think the chance of getting a response in time is slim. I will definitely see if this can be organised for next year though.

I wouldn’t mind if someone says eid mubarak to me as a non muslim brown person, I see it as people trying to share in other peoples festivities, it’s nice! I’d just say eid mubarak back.

I think it’s a lovely gesture from you OP. I always say merry xmas to people, I’m assuming some of them aren’t celebrating xmas. But it’s nice to live in a world where we can feel a bit of happiness and joy for other peoples celebrations. I feel like it’s missing sometimes, shared joy.

I wished someone who's muslim happy diwali this morning, turns out his family do celebrate diwali in india. So you never know, plus I’ve gone to an annual xmas bash thrown by a muslim family I know for a few years now.

I’ve been wished happy Diwali, Eid Mubarak, Merry Christmas etc and just felt happy about and returned the gesture.
Me too. I'm white and agnostic, and don't massively celebrate Christmas or Easter, but I do appreciate that they have cultural meaning not just religious. I live in a very culturally mixed neighbourhood and I love that everyone shares a little bit of cheer around whatever celebrations they might be.

Although I'll be honest, I could do without the two months of fireworks noise from Halloween to NYE...

I'm Muslim and wouldn't mind if you wished me Happy Diwali.

@cruzrack

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’ve been wished other Asian holidays that don’t apply to me and it pisses me off, whilst well intentioned no doubt. It gets annoying all the time they people would assume I’m celebrating a lm Asian holiday because I’m brown.

I can't imagine anyone taking offence.

I have seen this cause offence.

xyzzzzz I get where you're coming from completely.

I also think if a white atheist (for example) is wishing people Happy Diwali or Eid or whatever, she's doing it to make herself feel good first and foremost, and should acknowledge that.

@sashh

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

wait and see if they say something first. For all you know they could be to commemorate a deceased relative and you'll put your foot in it hoping they have a happy time.

Oops didn't mean to quote sorry!

@MareofBeasttown

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.

This.

While it's a nice gesture, as a fellow white atheist, I would find it odd if you as a white person wished me a happy Diwali, when we are both aware that's it's extremely likely I'm actually buying fireworks for Bonfire Night tomorrow.

I wouldn't be offended in the slightest, Diwali is a lovely celebration and I've always thought it's great how often Bonfire Night coincides with Diwali. I would probably just think it's a bit strange that you're somehow not aware of Bonfire Night, despite selling fireworks for a living.

Look at this the other way round - if a Muslim or Hindu person wished me a happy Christmas, I would think that was very nice of them - it would be a nice thing for them to do.

My Muslim neighbours never assumed I was a muslim and yet they came over to us with Ramadan wishes. It didn't cause an offence.
People need to stop being so worried about opening their mouths imo.

Fireworks are still sold?

I think stick to saying it back to people who say it to you

^This

I agree it would feel forced and unauthentic for someone who I would assume is not Christian to wish me merry Christmas out of the blue.

I authentically feel joy when others experience joy. So for me, the buzz and excitement of any festival or celebration is a source of joy and to be able to wish that to others makes me happy and, I hope, passes some of that joy onto them

You sound lovely OP, but sometimes people can be quite odd with these things. Best not to risk it when business is at stake IMO

I'd assume you celebrated Diwali. Personally I'm never going to wish anyone happy [insert religious quasi religious day here] because I don't follow any of the religions, I wouldn't assume anyone else would either. It can be perceived as rude, like getting married in a church if you're not part of the congregation. Or celebrating Christmas. It's just embarrassing.