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He argues that Christians shouldn't be offended...

And why not?

Retailers depend on the "Christmas" holiday for a good portion of their yearly profits, not Hanukkah, Eid or that made up holiday Kwanzaa.

If Christians are going to be the group that retailers profit from then they deserve more than a politically correct salutation.

Last night I went to Walmart. It was packed. I wanted to check out a Nativity scene. There were lot's of "gifts" in the aisle. Happy holidays were everywhere. I ignored most but I did see a "Cinderella kit" for 10 dollars. I started to buy it but ... I'm trying to stick to "needs only" this year and my granddaughter already has Snow White. Anyway , everyone was going north so I zig zagged thru. No one was smiling. People looked tired. No excuse me's. I finally got to lawn and garden. They had lots of Nativities in boxes. They looked ....toylike. I was thinking though, that I ought to buy one to show Wal-Mart I appreciated the store selling them , even if it was hush hush, and stocked way back in the patio facing the wall where you didn't just walk by. I looked again at the crowds and my husband and I just Walked out. If any are left, and there were plenty, I might buy a marked down one after Christmas to give Walmart a backed handed thank you for their shh, here you go, attempt to please.

Hmmmm, so I should say Merry Christmas to one of my Jewish brethren? Even if they don't celebrate it? I worked in retail for a long time. Let me tell you, all those people that want to demand stores say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays were some of the most hateful, ill mannered sons of guns I ever met. And after dealing with 'Christmas' shoppers a few weeks, it's enough to turn anyone who has ever worked in retail against Christmas as a whole.

I made sure to tell them 'Have a nice day'. If I got Merry Christmas in return, I would return that. If I didn't so what. But at least I tried to make sure every customer had a good experience at the store, even if they came in upset. You can call that spreading Christmas cheer in a small way, you can call it being kind to my fellow man. I am quite sure that's a bit more important to the intent of Christmas and to the spirit of Christianity than whether or not in a retail job one is allowed to use the 'right' salutation.

And as a former retail worker, I would ask that those that shop this year take a moment to be kind to the salesperson. Don't go off on a rant about how a company is not allowed to say Christmas. Wish them one anyway. Do it with a smile (instead of the constant scowl I am envisioning on some 'conservatives' and their feeling of being slighted). If you can't do that, at least tell them to have a nice day. It may not pay off for you, but it will for the next customer. Take a minute and exhibit the spirit of Christmas even if some store can't say the right words.