Advice on dealing with the Christmas control-freaks

[An Haddock]

I said Happy Solstice (I'm not even pagan) and I got a funny look. It was fun.

I've used that one, too. I'm half Pagan. On my father's side!

[taxguykarl]

I just say "Good evening/morning/afternoon".

Greetings, fellow Earthling?

[Spork4pedro]

I've either stuck with "Happy Holidays" or just "Have a great day!" in recent years. As previously mentioned, most people don't really care. For the few who do question it I just explain that after weeks of craziness I start to get my holidays mixed up and tend to start wishing people to have a Merry Thanksgiving or even a great Valentine's day. They tend to understand after standing in our giant line.

[Jay 2K Winger]

When I was still in retail hell, I took my cues from the customer. If the customer gave me a specific holiday greeting (e.g. "Merry Christmas") then I returned it. If they were obviously Christian (buying Christmas-themed items or wearing something that indicated their religious beliefs), I wished them "Merry Christmas." Likewise, if I saw signs they were Jewish (I more than once saw people wearing a Star of David necklace or similar), then I wished them a Happy Hanukkah.

All other cases, I wished them Happy Holidays. Didn't get much flak about it, either. I think I did once, but I smoothly replied that "I don't like to make assumptions about which holiday a customer celebrates. Merry Christmas!" And to the customer's credit, they backed down.

[bainsidhe]

I have always used "Happy Holidays" long before a margin of folks made it an issue. After all, there are multiple back-to-back holidays and it's a nice pleasantry to wish someone a good day. For those few customers that get in my face with MERRY CHRISTMAS and glare expectantly, I simply smile and say Merry Christmas in return. It seems lost on them how silly they look trying to get angry about a few words meant to wish them well.

[Android Kaeli]

All other cases, I wished them Happy Holidays. Didn't get much flak about it, either. I think I did once, but I smoothly replied that "I don't like to make assumptions about which holiday a customer celebrates. Merry Christmas!" And to the customer's credit, they backed down.

With Christmas just around the corner I may just have to borrow that line to use. At the Warehouse there is a big mixing pot of different backgrounds that come in so I'm not going to deviate from the standard 'have a nice day', I don't think I have since I started working there. Customers have been getting too pissed off lately over stupid things that's out of my control, so why put something else into the mix?

[Smapti]

Greetings, fellow Earthling?

I believe it was Jerry Seinfeld who suggested that people should just give each other a curt nod and say "Acknowledged." in a Vulcan monotone.

I can see an upside to it.

[Seanette]

While I observe Christmas, if someone wishes me a happy Hannukah/Yule/Kwanzaa/Solstice/whatever they observe, I'm not going to get bent out of shape about it. After all, they're still expressing good intent. Why fuss about the exact words used?

[MoonCat]

My mother always used to say "Thank you, I wish you the same." It seemed to work, but then that was before people went batshit crazy over things like that. I agree that your best bet is to say something like that and then move on as quickly as you can to the next customer. If you're no longer engaging with the previous one, perhaps they'll get the point and move on.

[WishfulSpirit]

They are trying to get you to fight the war on Christmas that exists in their heads. Deny them a fight. Think of a fluffy kitten or puppy (or anything else that will create a genuine smile) and chirp merry Christmas to you too!

[Kogarashi]

All other cases, I wished them Happy Holidays. Didn't get much flak about it, either. I think I did once, but I smoothly replied that "I don't like to make assumptions about which holiday a customer celebrates. Merry Christmas!" And to the customer's credit, they backed down.

This is my approach too. If I'm the one initiating the greeting, it's "Happy Holidays!" with an explanation (if necessary) that there are so many holidays going on this time of year that it's easier to use a blanket term and not risk getting the wrong one. If wished a "Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas/Happy Hannukah/etc." then I responded in kind. I don't think I've ever had anyone pitch a fit about it, but I'm sure it was bound to happen sooner or later if I had continued in retail.

[wolfie]

Think of a fluffy kitten or puppy (or anything else that will create a genuine smile)

Like a fluffy polar bear devouring the SC?

[Ironclad Alibi]

Like a fluffy polar bear devouring the SC?

That's one way for a polar bear to get an upset stomach.

[WishfulSpirit]

That's one way for a polar bear to get an upset stomach.

Agreed. The polar bear doesn't deserve that!

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Man, I dealt with a dummy who got angry that someone wished him a Merry Christmas. He threw a massive rant about how he wasn't Christian and so you shouldn't assume he was one and force your religion onto him.

My eyes rolled so damn hard they nearly popped out of my head.