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Dec. 21st, 2007 11:43 amRight now there's quite a bit of confusion in my vicinity. I get wished Merry Christmas then the person does a quick double take and wishes me Happy Chanukah. I've also seen it on blogs: Merry Christmas/Happy Chanukah. As if they're the one festival. Or as if it will make everyone happy.
I wrote a long description of what was wrong with this. I deleted it. Instead, I'll leave you with a far meaner and less educational discussion. Think of my nieces, perhaps, when they were eight (very cute, very bright and very, very logical):
"Happy Birthday."
"But my birthday was two weeks ago."
"But it's my birthday next week and I just thought of it."
"Does this mean I can have birthdays whenever you think of your own? Do I get presents?"
"No, it's not your birthday. I was just wishing you 'Happy Birthday' because it's my birthday next week."
"But you didn't actually do anything for my birthday. I did it all myself. Last week."
"It's my birthday. We do everything my way until my birthday. Those are the rules. I want you to smile, because I always smile on my birthday."
"I want a birthday party."
"No, it's my birthday party next week. I get the party."
"Do I get presents?"
"We'll see. Remember, though, it's not your birthday. Happy Birthday."
"You can't just go like that! Why do you keep saying 'Happy Birthday' as if it means 'See you later'? It isn't my birthday!!!!!"
PS For the record, two totally awesome friends have invited me to share their Christmasses so I, personally, get both party and presents. I've bought all my pressies and I'm going shopping with Donna very shortly for one of the Christmas dinners. I still wish people would stop saying "Happy Chanukah."
PPS Why don't those people who seek egalitarian wishes say "Happy Festive Season" or "Happy New Year"? "Happy Festive Season" includes Idl al Fitr and Chinese New Year and Loi Kratong, without too much extension. Excuse me for a few minutes while I sing the Loi Kratong song and do the dance - if bloggers can say 'Happy Chanukah' then I can sing "Wan pen...".
I wrote a long description of what was wrong with this. I deleted it. Instead, I'll leave you with a far meaner and less educational discussion. Think of my nieces, perhaps, when they were eight (very cute, very bright and very, very logical):
"Happy Birthday."
"But my birthday was two weeks ago."
"But it's my birthday next week and I just thought of it."
"Does this mean I can have birthdays whenever you think of your own? Do I get presents?"
"No, it's not your birthday. I was just wishing you 'Happy Birthday' because it's my birthday next week."
"But you didn't actually do anything for my birthday. I did it all myself. Last week."
"It's my birthday. We do everything my way until my birthday. Those are the rules. I want you to smile, because I always smile on my birthday."
"I want a birthday party."
"No, it's my birthday party next week. I get the party."
"Do I get presents?"
"We'll see. Remember, though, it's not your birthday. Happy Birthday."
"You can't just go like that! Why do you keep saying 'Happy Birthday' as if it means 'See you later'? It isn't my birthday!!!!!"
PS For the record, two totally awesome friends have invited me to share their Christmasses so I, personally, get both party and presents. I've bought all my pressies and I'm going shopping with Donna very shortly for one of the Christmas dinners. I still wish people would stop saying "Happy Chanukah."
PPS Why don't those people who seek egalitarian wishes say "Happy Festive Season" or "Happy New Year"? "Happy Festive Season" includes Idl al Fitr and Chinese New Year and Loi Kratong, without too much extension. Excuse me for a few minutes while I sing the Loi Kratong song and do the dance - if bloggers can say 'Happy Chanukah' then I can sing "Wan pen...".