Not everyone celebrates Christmas

[FourChimneys]

Semi lighthearted but is anyone else exasperated and irritated by the assumption that you celebrate Christmas? If you were obviously from another culture it might be easier but otherwise the default is Christmas.

Nothing I do or say suggests this is the case but people persist. Eg in the supermarket today, getting some basics "Oh, hello Chimneys, doing your Christmas shopping?" Or "What are doing for Christmas?" Or "Finished your Christmas shopping yet?".

I know people are making conversation and I usually just smile and move on but it's as though an alternative viewpoint doesn't exist.

Everyone is taking this far too seriously.

I mostly just smile and move on. No drama, each to their own etc etc.

As I've said on another thread this evening, I'm happy for everyone else to do what they want. For me it's a couple of days to climb a mountain or two if the weather is good, or to start redecorating the dining room if not. Who doesn't love a bank holiday if they're not working?

"Perhaps we should add it to our pronouns and wear badges so as not to offend anyone.

Flairband (she/her, Christmas/Easter)"

Is that secular or non-secular Christmas/Easter???

I don't believe in any god either. I still celebrate Christmas. It's a tiresome argument, yes of course Christmas represents the birth of Christ for many, but also for many it's about nothing but singing cheesy songs, wearing ugly jumpers and exchanging presents.

I am Jewish and do not celebrate Christmas. Some British Jews do and some don't, some have Christmas lunch but nothing else, etc. I certainly don't complain about being wished a Merry Christmas, but what does grate is being argued with about not celebrating, told it's "not really religious" (maybe it's not for you, but churches would disagree!) or be told or have it implied that I'm not really British if I don't. There's a long and complicated history here for Jews (Christmas was often an excuse to attack Jews for example). Those of us who choose not to celebrate should be respected.

It might not be religious for many people but please dont expect Jews to participate in a holiday celebrating the birth of a person in whose name they have been persecuted for 2000 years. Fortunately that sort of thing has mostly died out and Jews and Xtians have good relatuonships nowadays.

I know some Jews do celebrate xmas but honestly to me its like a black person waving a confederate flag. Plus we hsve enough holidays of our own, who needs another one????

Oh, I forgot, some Jews have a specific custom to play chess or other games on xmas eve...this stems from a time in history when it was too dangerous to go out in case some friendly xtian would attack you.

I live in the US and one of the things I like most is the absence of the assumption that every child has santa come and everyone celebrated christmas (whether a secular or religious christmas). I'm a big proponent of happy holidays.

Did someone just say that jewish people celebrating christmas was like black people waving a confederate flag? What the actual fuck?

Are you really that ignorant of how Jews have been persecuted and murdered, specifically for killing Jesus?

No I am not.

But comparing it to slavery and the confederacy is seriously poaching on others pain and suffering and chattel slavery for hundreds of years. yeah I think you shouldn't have said that.

I'm sure you don't like people hijaking the holocaust as a word or comparison.

@FourChimneys you really are overthinking this.

Your last sentence - how do you propose that happens in the context of the OP which was when out shopping and casual conversation?

Hmmm not saying at all Jews have sufffered more than black people, its not a competition at all! Why do you think I am saying that?

A holocaust comparision may or may not be accurate, it wouldnt bother me at all if it was. Sadly Jews do not have a monopoly on suffering at the hands of others.

Blimey.

The absolute affront on this thread is quite something. And the assumptions the OP is not from a British background is telling.

I think for the most part, no one minds others celebrating Christmas. It is absolutely fine though to not celebrate it yourself and - key - not to pretend you do.

I completely agree with this. If I moved to a different country that didn't celebrate Christmas or Christian holidays, but celebrated something else than I would celebrate those as well and embrace them. I know many Indian families who celebrate Christmas and Christianity doesn't play a part in their celebrations. It's just a nice holiday for family to get together.

I really hope we don't end up like the US where everything 'Christmas' is replaced with 'holiday'. It's a holiday party, a holiday tree, holiday cards and a holiday dinner now.

I will say that this isn't an uncommon point of view and while I wouldn't use that comparison I don't think it's unbalanced. The point is that it looks like celebrating one's own oppression. The point is overall Jewish oppression by Christians, which is far larger than one holiday and ultimately led to genocide. It's not saying it's worse.

Also as a Brit in the US, the whole "oh it's so terrible you can't say Christmas" is rubbish. It's about respecting everyone in a pluralist society, which the USA certainly is, but what all the "but happy holidays in Starbucks!!" people don't like. It's still a Christmas tree, anyway; people who don't celebrate Christmas actually often don't like when things that are really specific get relabelled and we pretend they're not what they are. I live in one of the most religiously diverse counties in the USA (and the most diverse outside NYC) so yes, being inclusive matters. Children here don't suffer because we don't have nativity plays and carols at school.

@JackandVera of course I don't make a fuss at random people in the store, but the thread is about far more than that.

Actually as a cultural Catholic and Christian, I love Christmas.

I have absolutely no religious belief.

I'm not interested in beliefs. Really.

OP, if you choose to celebrate solstice and equinox that's ok too.

I see everyone.

If Muslims choose to circle a meteorite, that's ok!

And don't speak to me about Catholics and their love for idols.

Bonkers.

The lot of it.

So, OP If you hate Christmas that's cool.

You said "those of us who choose not to celebrate should be respected" What form does that take? I am curious.

I’ve had a gutsful of it. And have called people out about it at work this year when my requests to just be left out of Xmas jumper say/Xmas quizzes/constantly being asked if I’m ready (since fucking September) have gone unheeded. I have deep trauma attached to this time of year and would really just like to be left alone. But you can’t say that, apparently.

It’s fucking rude. Especially when they’re happy enough to take advantage of my working between xmas and new year and availability for on call so that they can be off. And this year I’m telling them so.

Not trying to drag people into it would be a start. It gets so draining.

I’m happy that you like it. I don’t.

To put it into context, I’ve been veggie for over 30 years. It’s a bit like people trying to get me to eat
meat multiple times a day for several weeks, chiding me for not eating it or giving it a try, calling me names for not wanting it etc.

I don’t know whether they feel they need to justify their love of it but my not doing Xmas doesn’t impact on them in the same way that my not eating meat doesn’t impact on them.

Oh my goodness it’s a communal community celebration. Of course they’re being inclusive. How precious to think they should mindread that you don’t want to be included in the communal celebration. Next you’ll be saying you feel alienated because they’re not including you in the way you want to be included.

Well then you say that and offer a bit of a different interesting perspective to the usual “oh family over, Turkey etc”

see it as a positive

although I suspect…

OverTheHill solidarity! I refuse to wear or even own a Christmas jumper. I don't do meals out but that's not because I'm miserable, it's because I have learned the hard way that I cannot trust restaurants about allergens.

I think some people feel judgey if you don't do Christmas, they can't just let you get on quietly with midwinter. I am happy for others to celebrate whatever they wish.

Anyway, this thread has become far too serious. I have finished work for the day and am off to celebrate the solstice.

I think some people feel judgey if you don't do Christmas, they can't just let you get on quietly with midwinter. I am happy for others to celebrate whatever they wish.

who are these “people”

personally i honestly and truly from the depths of my soul don’t give a flying fig what any does on Christmas Day aside from my immediate family and very close friends, and I suspect most the same

I don't see the issue. It's normal in Britain. If I moved to a different country there would be things I dont celebrate. I think just take it in the spirit it is meant.

Pretty much all of the employees I work with. Approx 200 of them. Neighbours. Parents of DD’s friends……

Shit! Really? Life must be pretty pants being surrounded by people with such a negative vested interest in your Christmas plans!