AIBU? People often ask me, "do you celebrate Christmas"?

[July70]

WTF do they ask me and not the others in the office. Even my stupid clients do that. It's nothing new as I have it at school than less so at uni, and now had this at every place I've worked at. Even those stupid people that live in the close, some ask me.

We are not from the UK and tBH I was never offended but in recent days, possibly too many people being offended over everything and me getting older, should I be offended?

What I find even more offensive is when I tell them that we have always celebrated Christmas sine I can recall in the UK but only in the commercial sense like the vast majority in England, and some roll their eyes.

I know why they ask me, but am I being too sensitive now as I'm pretty sure the vast majority are not being offensive IMO?

@freyamay74

It's people like you that make false assumptions that this country of ours could do without.

WTF fuck would I complain about this and said I'm happy to be wished 'happy xams,' the heck I would say that

Is that what you do when you are beaten in an argument IRL and then change tacts, lol at you.

Are you really this angry about this issue?
People are trying to explain why you could be asked but it seems like you only want to accept your own viewpoint.
It's mainly rooted in respect and interest, not in disrespect and rudeness.
Like I said earlier, I'm asked all the time. I take it as a compliment that someone is that interested in me!

Thank you, I have thought about it.

The two terms are widely used interchangeably in the UK.

Given your antipathy to Christmas & Christians, I assume you don't observe the public holidays at Christmas and Easter? Never eat a chocolate Easter egg? Would you even attend a friend's wedding in a church?

Why so het up?

Lol at you, ha you sound about 12

Oh hang on, school hols isn't it

You're so incredibly rude, I'm surprised anyone would wish you a happy anything.

You are not from the UK. Seems to me some of those asking are racist. Half of the Christians I work with are not white, never mind those who celebrate and are of another faith or none.

When I am asked this question, I just answer, "Do you celebrate Christmas? What does that mean to you? Are you praying for the baby Jesus?" 😁

That usually shuts up people ...

I suppose for me, if I ask if someone is celebrating Christmas it is because I don’t want to assume everyone does the same thing. I like to think everyone is unique and does their own thing, and because I have Jewish friends I know that not everyone celebrates. It’s sad you are offended, because I genuinely don’t think most people would mean it offensively they just don’t want to make assumptions that could be seen as offensive, or not take into account that people celebrate things differently.
in any event, have a lovely Christmas OP, and whatever your plans, I hope you have a great time!

My dental hygienist and my dentist are of Muslim faith. So when they wished me a merry Xmas last week. I said thank you, and will you be having any celebrations with your families? Because I wouldn’t wish to assume. It’s just politeness.

Hello
Thanks for all posts inc those for prized fools.

My last post on the subject and a poll proving that the vast majority celebrate Christmas like I do ie in a commercial way ie secular

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From the link below a poll

When it comes to Christmas, six in ten of those who celebrate the holiday (61%) say they celebrate it as a completely secular event. For three in ten (31%) it’s a combination of religious and secular. Just 4% of Britons say they celebrate Christmas purely as a religious event.

While going to church used to be commonplace at Christmas and Easter, few Britons do so now. Only 22% go to church at Christmas, while 15% do so at Easter (and only 13% do so on both occasions)

yougov.co.uk/topics/society/articles-reports/2020/12/29/how-britons-celebrate-christmas-and-easter

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From me, a happy Christmas to all and I hope you are able to spend time with the people you want, not overdo it on the food & drink and only spend money you can afford to spend.

If you know me and others like me, rather than ask if we celbrate Christmas, just say "happy chirtmas, nave a nice break.." My and other reasonable peoles repsone would be on the lines of 'you too -happy xmas to you - enjoy, dont drink too much - take care enjoy, see you in the new year...'

Simples

Would you say to someone you don't know well "I hope you don't drink too much"?

Can you also see that saying people who don't celebrate the religious element of Christmas could be offended by your repeated use of "commercial" Christmas to describe non Christian Christmas? Would you say that to a pagan? Would you know if they were?

Celebrating with feasts and lights isnt commercial based. Maybe look up the history of how the festival of Christmas came to be.

You are just coming across more and more like you are offended by everything whilst being ignorant to your own offensive comments.

I started asking ‘Do you celebrate Christmas?’ after clearly offending a few people of Asian origin at work when wishing them a Merry Christmas. One in particular accused me of being racist for assuming 🤷🏼‍♀️

In my experience the vast majority of people from different cultural backgrounds in this country celebrate Xmas to some degree so I thought it was a fair assumption. I was made to feel like I was wrong about that but now I realise I am probably offending a whole other group of people by asking. I guess I could just stop making small talk.

I'll put you to the test

Scenario

We are working in a central London HQ.

It's the last day at work before Xmas shutdown

Therefore, ask me a question about the topic in this thread and I will respond.

'you too -happy xmas to you - enjoy, dont drink too much - take care enjoy, see you in the new year...'
I would be shocked if someone said this to me and especially if it came from a client… wow.
Please don’t tell people not to drink too much OP. It sounds like you’re insinuating have they have a drink problem and is very rude.

Exactly. They are just trying to be polite. Get over it..

I’ve recently trying to learn about another culture, and the language. It’s really hard work, but I am falling more in love with that culture each day. I have so many questions but don’t know anybody from that culture and recently googled if Christmas was celebrated in the country.
The thought that I could be being “virtually” offensive really saddens me. What is is that you think you should be offended about, OP? That people think that your physical appearance does not look traditionally white European? Or that your accent suggests you might be from another country? And, if so, why would it be offensive if someone thought you were from another country? Is it offensive to be perceived as not white British/Christian? I’m genuinely curious.

OK - just read OP’s other responses and it seems they’re bored and want a bit of a hurty feelings cage-fight. I hope they have a nice Christmas. If they celebrate it.

I get asked all the time. Not offended as it comes from a place if curiosity. We have a xmas meal as it happens and I get the kids a xmas eve box with what you would call stocking fillers in it, nothing expensive. Mine are aware we are Muslim and santa doesn't stop here as we have our own wonderful celebrations to enjoy. They are happy with that and know the stationary set for example they will receive is from mum and dad. They have given out Christmas cards to their friends and received them in return but we don't give cards to neighbours. It hugely varies amongst muslim families that I know at least. Some have a tree, decorations, matching pjs, basically do everything apart from go to church. On that basis I don't blame people for being curious. We as a family recognise that it's the main celebration in the country we live in and so acknowledge it happily but for us Eid is more important because it has actual religious significance to us and our level of celebrations reflect that.

Exactly this!

@July70 announced their 'last post' on the subject at 19:50 yesterday and back banging on about it before midnight