Why is eBay using the greeting "Happy Holidays" instead of the correct greeting of "Merry Christmas"

[purple_haize]

Alot of my friends that live in the USA are starting to say *Merry Christmas*, instead of *Happy Holiday*...........

As someone pointed out, ebay is american, so that is why they say happy holiday.......

[polksaladallie]

Happy Festivus.

[polksaladallie]

Because there are over 200 religions to accommodate?

And because atheists have holidays too.

[i-need-a-martini]

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@kennedia_nigricans wrote:

if that minority (can we just call it muslims, cos that is what we are talking about aren't we?) feels offended, then that is because they are in a permanent state of feeling offended by us infidels mere existance.

can you imagine that in a muslim country they would stop the ashura fest or refrain from ramadan because christians feel offended by that?

if they don't like christmas celebrations they should have stayed in a  muslim country, but moving into a western christian country and then whinge and complain about the christian customs is ridiculous.

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It hadn't even occurred to me that this thread was about muslims. How on earth do people make the leap from non-christian to muslim?? As if Muslims are the only non-christian people on this planet. Totally illogical.

I don't refrain from saying Merry Christmas because of the Muslims around me. Although naturally (as I live in a Muslim dominated area) I am respectful of their religion. We always vist our muslim neighbours at Christmas and at the end of Ramadan with a plate of food - they say Merry Christmas to me as they hand me my plate of goodies and I say Happy Eid day to them as I hand them theirs.

But in every day life my friends are mainly atheist with some Jews and buddhists thrown in. Infact, other than family, I dont mix with any any christians religious people at all. I imagine that most of the population is like me.

So what sense is there in saying Merry Christmas to any of my friends??

[*crikey*mate*]

In the parish where I grew up, Monsignor Frawley discouraged the saying "Merry Christmas" and preferred us to use "Happy Christmas" as the "Merry" was associated with having a bit too much to drink and was infact suggesting that you needed to drink to enjoy the Christmas period.

But then, he probably never had to find a car park at the local shopping centre at Christmas time or had to do much Christmas shopping....

[monman12]

JB29: "Why is eBay using the greeting "Happy Holidays" instead of the correct greeting of "Merry Christmas"

Because, as SWF has observed,  and I would agree with,  it actually refers to the  the Thanksgiving Day holiday period, and it is also somewhat early for Christmas greetings.

Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, and some (most) people  then make it a  5 day "holiday  weekend."

"Thanksgiving is a four-day or five-day weekend vacation for schools and colleges. Most business and government workers (78% in 2007) are given Thanksgiving and the day after as paid holidays"

I could be wrong, but I am amazed at the posts that are "wasted"  because the basic (obvious)  answer was overlooked!

nɥºɾ

[not_an_eloi]

old english etymology of holiday:  hāligdæg,  holy day

ebay want to move away from religiousity, they've shot 'emselves in the foot

"Greetin's, Consumer", on this site,  surely more of a fit    

[**meep**]

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@polksaladallie wrote:

Happy Festivus.

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[azureline**]

Why do you think it's a new thing?

Happy Holidays has always been used in the US and Canada hasn't it? as it encompasses the holidays!

Christmas for me will start on Christmas Eve, until then I might do some shopping...............

[lind9650]