re: saying Merry Christmas, or not: It’s not a big deal.
Perhaps, but only in the context of your business relations; I agree it is unwise to needlessly offend one’s customers. But if you are an American born citizen and you use that style elsewhere in your life, then imagine there is a large group who would very much like to extinguish this historically established tradition of good will and unique form of Americanism. Would that offend you and, if so, would you politely resist? (Actually, one doesn’t have to “imagine”.)
I don't support flag burning amendments...not on the grounds of free speech, but on the grounds of property rights.
Perhaps a closer call. But imagine that I, along with many others I so persuade, construct dummies in the likeness of your favorite politician or religious leader which are regularly and visibly burned for public view on our private property. Would such an act not constitute a threat to that individual or an effort to “incite”?
I would estimate that roughly one third of my customers say "Merry Christmas", with the other two thirds saying "Happy Holidays".
The age ranges of the two groups and perhaps the ethnic backgrounds may be a factor. Is your business with a "younger" community of those more recently of the modern "zero-tolerance" school system? Do you operate in a community predominately influenced by non-American born individuals?
While I will roll my eyes at active measures to say "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas", I don't find it egregiously offensive, but rather just more pointless political correctness. Outside of business relations, I still simply respond in kind, whatever the greeting.
Perhaps a closer call. But imagine that I, along with many others I so persuade, construct dummies in the likeness of your favorite politician or religious leader which are regularly and visibly burned for public view on our private property. Would such an act not constitute a threat to that individual or an effort to “incite”?
Ever were I to grant that, it would be a specific threat to an individual, not the country as a whole. And in any case, I would still not advocate the intervention of the State, any more than I would want the State to prevent the burning of a Qu'ran because that might incite others.
The age ranges of the two groups and perhaps the ethnic backgrounds may be a factor. Is your business with a "younger" community of those more recently of the modern "zero-tolerance" school system?
No, all ages...leaning towards older people, if anything.
Do you operate in a community predominately influenced by non-American born individuals?
While there is a large community of Eastern European and Asian immigrants, they virtually never give a holiday greeting (probably because of their limited English).