Let me begin by apologizing because I know someone is going to be offended by this article. Now that I have that out of the way, when did we become anti “other people’s” holidays? It seems to me that instead of embracing our differences and celebrating we are taking everything away or turning it into something ridiculous in the name of trying to be all inclusive.
For example, when did a Christmas tree become a Holiday tree? Trying not to offend people has become a huge issue in public schools, towns and workplaces. Are we getting carried away here?
Jeff Goodwin, co-owner of catering company, Wm. Nicholas & Co. in Katonah (www.wmnicholas.com) recently shared with me an incident that happened to him. One year Easter and Passover fell on the same weekend. Thinking he was doing something “green” he printed the Easter menu on one side of a page and the Passover menu on the other. One of his customers made it a point of telling him she was highly insulted. She said, “That holiday has nothing to do with my holiday.” Come on, can’t we all just get along?
Nonetheless, we must be cognizant of the fact that there is sensitivity around this issue and thus conduct ourselves accordingly especially in the business environment.
I consulted corporate etiquette expert Laura Katen, President of Katen Consulting, (www.katenconsulting.com) to get out some general guidelines for business holiday conduct. Below are some of Katen’s essential tips when it comes to the topic of being PC in the workplace:
1) Be aware of a colleague's spiritual affiliation or level of religiousness - never just assume.
2) Don't emphasize one holiday over another (decorations, food, etc around the office should be general not specific to one holiday).
3) Always err on the side of generality if you want to make conversation but are afraid to offend. Say "happy holidays" as opposed to wishing him/her a specific holiday.
4) In life, but especially in business, it takes 7 seconds or less to make a first impression. It takes 8 positive encounters with the same person to reverse a negative impression. It is very easy to make a negative impression during the holidays, especially when alcohol is free flowing at celebrations. Limit alcohol consumption and remember you are not there for the free food and booze; you're there to be seen, meet, and mingle and represent yourself/your clients/ your company).
What happens if you wish someone Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays and you realize the person is an atheist? Katen says, “Just let it go. No need to apologize or draw attention to it, after all your intentions were heartfelt.”
If you and your family will be celebrating a holiday this coming month I hope it is joyful. If you are not, I still wish you joy; there is not enough of that going around.
NOBAMA IN 2012!!! enough of this crud - he's about to get us all killed.
Ah yes, to be a dictator. What kind of American president says something like that?
The kind of president who speaks plainly and honestly without guile or pretense. He didn't say he wanted to be president of China. He didn't say he wanted to be a dictator. He said it would be easier to be the president of Chine. And he's right, it probably would be. But there are people in this country who are desperate to condemn every word and action based on some crazed paranoia that is just all in their own heads (and on Fox News, of course).
HOHOHO SANTA'S COMING!!!!
Even Bill Clinton understood this and never, never showed subservience to any world leaders. Because that(weakness) is exactly what powers like China and Iran will exploit. Does the world love us now that Obama is Pres.? It seems not. They have contempt for his weakness. And yes, that could wind up getting us into a war and getting many Americans killed. Peace through strength. Appeasement didn't do us much good in W.W. II Learn history my friend, because it always, always repeats itself.
"Speak softly, and carry a big stick." This seems to be Obama's style - bin Ladin and at least 9 other prominent terrorists were killed or arrested during Obama's administration. Your paranoia is showing again and it seems to blind you to reality. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/the-terrorist-notches-on-obamas-belt/
And why did Pres. Obama, on the same tour refuse to bow, even slightly to the Queen of England? And gave her collection of CD's with his speeches on them? Yes, Bush started the Iraq war and Afghanistan which Obama is continuing and upping him one by starting the war war(oh I'm sorry police action- or whatever he had to say so he did not have to get the approval of Congress-much easier to act alone- you know-like being the emperor of China) inLibya.
I like your idea and would love to see it implemented! I know that I am part of the problem in this -- I rise to the bait too easily, something I am working on. Dear Mr/Ms Clement: I agree with all of your sentiments, except perhaps that man created god. You could be right, I admit, but I prefer to think otherwise and see no harm in doing so. Peace to all!
I agree with George and Catherine, this discussion has run its course. Stick a fork in it, its done.
"The last Christian died on the Cross" - Nietzsche "The Earth belongs in usufruct to the living" - Jefferson
I am still not sure what this has to do "politics or the direction of the country". It seems to me to be more of a distraction from real problems: a declining middle class, a soaring poverty rate, an incarceration rate second to none, a growing list of foreign military involvement etc.
In a way it is political, brought on by those who want to force a fundamental change in our country, our culture our way of thinking our way of life. quote from "Michelle Obama
This week Walter Reed had to back up and let Bibles in: "U.S. Military to Rescind Policy Banning Bibles at Hospital" "Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said they are rescinding a policy that prohibits family members of wounded military troops from bringing Bibles or any religious reading materials to their loved ones." http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/u-s-military-to-rescind-policy-banning-bibles-at-hospital.html
This is not about banning Christian Services by the VA and is nothing to do with the President, it is just common sense and respect for our 'soldiers'.
"Secularism run amok" Arleen Ocasio seems to be setting herself up for a second rebuke from a federal judge. ..Ocasio has been, since 2009, the director of the Houston National Cemetery, which, at 419 acres, is the second-largest cemetery administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, exceeded in size only by Arlington..Ocasio, the cemetery's Obama-appointed director, has been credibly accused of engaging in a pattern of censorship directed against private religious expression. The chapel has allegedly been closed, its cross and Bible removed, and it is now said to be used as a "meeting space" when it is unlocked at all. The carillon in the 75-foot bell tower no longer tolls on a regular basis. And members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the National Memorial Ladies, attending upon the bereaved families and friends at veterans' funerals, say they have been required to have their prayers pre-approved by Ocasio's office, and have been told that the words "God" and "Jesus" are not to be used by them if they wish to continue their volunteer service at the cemetery. This isn't the first episode of such trouble." ...more from cbsnews.com http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/08/opinion/main20077846.shtml
Hardly a rebuttal. "Paranoid" -- the call word of one without an argument.