December 20, 2005
Merry Christmas
It's an odd dynamic. You are Christmas shopping, and invariably you end up in some mall in some national chain boutique or department store, all of which seem to have their own political stance on just about everything. The word "Christmas" is very difficult to find in these stores. You start to wonder, "Are they part of the conspiracy?" You know--the one to take Christmas out of the "holiday season" so as to secularize it.
And so, you always have to employ the test. You find your items and bring them to the counter. You make small talk as your credit card information blasts back and forth in some mysterious commercial cyberspace. Finally the purchase is completed and the moment of truth approaches.
"Merry Christmas," you say.
Their response is everything. It tells you volumes about them, about the store, about the chain, about our culture. It's mind boggling. Here are some of the responses and my thoughts on them.
Response #1: "Merry Christmas!" Yes! This person is a believer. Not a Christian per se--but a believer. Perhaps in Santa Claus or in the magic of snow, trees, reindeer, whatever, but they are a kindred spirit.
Response #2: "Happy holidays." The complete opposite of #1. This person has bought the corporate line. They've joined the ranks of secularism. Don't offend. Don't exclude. Be generic. Yuck.
Response #3: "You too." This is a fence-sitter that, in one sense, ought to be ashamed of themselves. They are believers, but they are too timid to let out with a the sacred and happy words of the season.
Response #4: "Seasons greetings." I've never actually heard this one. I hope I never, never do.
Response #5: "Have a good day." These ones are tricky, but I usually clump them in with #2. Perhaps they've even lower, in that they don't even acknowledge the occurence of Advent.
Hope you found this entertaining.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
And so, you always have to employ the test. You find your items and bring them to the counter. You make small talk as your credit card information blasts back and forth in some mysterious commercial cyberspace. Finally the purchase is completed and the moment of truth approaches.
"Merry Christmas," you say.
Their response is everything. It tells you volumes about them, about the store, about the chain, about our culture. It's mind boggling. Here are some of the responses and my thoughts on them.
Response #1: "Merry Christmas!" Yes! This person is a believer. Not a Christian per se--but a believer. Perhaps in Santa Claus or in the magic of snow, trees, reindeer, whatever, but they are a kindred spirit.
Response #2: "Happy holidays." The complete opposite of #1. This person has bought the corporate line. They've joined the ranks of secularism. Don't offend. Don't exclude. Be generic. Yuck.
Response #3: "You too." This is a fence-sitter that, in one sense, ought to be ashamed of themselves. They are believers, but they are too timid to let out with a the sacred and happy words of the season.
Response #4: "Seasons greetings." I've never actually heard this one. I hope I never, never do.
Response #5: "Have a good day." These ones are tricky, but I usually clump them in with #2. Perhaps they've even lower, in that they don't even acknowledge the occurence of Advent.
Hope you found this entertaining.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
# posted by justin @ 12:53 
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