Comments on: Five things people say about Christmas that drive me nuts

By: Jobs » Blog Archive » Test: Is your life happy or interesting?

Jobs » Blog Archive » Test: Is your life happy or interesting? — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:04:28 +0000

[...] Christmas is not a national holiday, because the US is not a Christian country. But regardless of what's true, homogenous thinking breeds happiness. It’s why countries like Sweden and Finland are so happy. They are homogenous. [...]

By: Lunatic Advice

Lunatic Advice — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:14:34 +0000

“All are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher.”

“The lunatic, the lover, and the poet are of imagination all compact”

By: My Favorite Blogs | The Pragmatist

My Favorite Blogs | The Pragmatist — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:17:52 +0000

[...] people are used to just putting up with (like the fact that making Christmas a national holiday is divisive and inappropriate), doesn't turn to jelly apologizing profusely when she offends someone (like her notorious [...]

By: The Modern Gal

The Modern Gal — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:22:38 +0000

I think you make some good points, but I don't think all workplaces could adhere to your No. 2. I am Catholic and practice Christmas, but I work in a business that is a 365-day a year business, so I've had to work many Christmases. So yes, I agree, sometimes it's nice to work while everyone else has off and no one is calling or e-mailing. But many, many, many other businesses are not like mine. I imagine many small workplaces (like shops and restaurants) could not manage to open if a majority of their staffs choose to take off Dec. 25 to celebrate. If a business can manage to allow people to work on Christmas if they choose, then great. But I think in this country it's a bit unreasonable to think that every business can do this.

By: Tolerance of Holidays Like Christmas : The Writings of Cody Nolden

Tolerance of Holidays Like Christmas : The Writings of Cody Nolden — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:59:12 +0000

[...] non-Christians are really bitter towards Christmas. They either feel it's too commercialized, too religious, or somewhere in between. Some [...]

By: Kimba Green

Kimba Green — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:01:04 +0000

First, I apologize for the nasty comments you have received. Second, I agree with you and I am a Christian. There was a time when every office was decorated for every holiday but we are not children. We are paid to do a job not share our beliefs. I go to church every week but most that work with me don't know that because that is my private information.

Now lets get some work done!

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:26:58 +0000

I'm going to print this out and post it on my office door. Maybe if I'm lucky it will derail at least one of the batch of coworkers who come by to call me Scrooge every year.

By: sabrina

sabrina — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:32:08 +0000

I'm pretty sure I read this entry last year and wanted to say a big old HELL YEAH, but … it bears repeating.

By: K

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:25:02 +0000

Interesting post.

I work for a major bank…we are given all Federal Holidays off (10 per year). If we don't want to take them and choose to work, we get a floating holiday to use another day.

Seems fair to me. Not everyone wants Veteran's Day, Columbus Day, etc off either. Some people just want to take a Friday off.

But while we are allowed this luxury at a higher level, those who work in branches or those who have support center roles are afforded this. Because some jobs can't be done by just a few people. In those instances I say to enjoy the extra day off…just like *most* people who enjoy evenings, night time and weekends. You may be most productive from 1 – 5 AM but your company is most likey not going to need you to work then either…

And don't weekends come from a religious origin?

By: BrieCS

BrieCS — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:20:50 +0000

Penelope:
I have been reading your blog for about a month and a half now, and while I don't agree with everything you say, I have to say I get what you're saying here.
I celebrate Christmas, but I also celebrate Solstice, and consider Christmas a commercial holiday, but Solstice a spiritual one (I'm agnostic, but spiritual rather than religous). I tried to find a Hanukkah card for my boss this year, and they had *none*, and it's only furthered my mindset that we're too focused on Christmas and ignore other holidays completely. We have 4th of July cards, but no cards for any other major religious holidays. My boss really does celebrate Hanukkah, so I would like to be able to get him an appropriate card, in place of "Generic Winter Holiday "Peace" card with a dove on it" or "'Holiday' Card in red and green".
My current workplace has 10 vacation days – 9 scheduled, one floating. What I'd eventually like to see (and after reading this, plan to personally suggest) is all floating holidays, for all employees. We have many Muslim, Japanese, and Chinese employees, and other employees from all over the world. Everyone has different holidays – and I for one, would rather take off Halloween than Memorial day, or Beltane than Good Friday.

Good post!