Making the Holidays Happy

In my opinion, the good old "Happy Holidays" is the way to go when you are in public. I think that using the phrase "Merry Christmas" is completely appropriate in the right setting, such as a Christmas Party or Church. But if your on the clock and checking someone at a retail store, using the phrase "Happy Holidays" is most appropriate. I agree with Rabbi Hillel Green when he said to the Sioux City Journal that "All of these festivals should be joyous for everyone and all-inclusive, for a Hindu, for a Buddhist, for a Jew, for a Baha'i, any of these people would kind of give them a second look because how would they know what religious tradition they followed." Personally, when someone throws out the seemingly innocent phrase of "Merry Christmas" to me, I always feel a bit of resentment and bitterness. When i hear this phrase, i feel as if the speaker thinks they're religion is the most important. Thus, on the other hand, when i hear the simple five syllable phrase of "Happy Holidays" my heart is truly warmed. When I hear this statement, I feel as if my religion, of Judaism, is actually acknowledged in the modern world and the people genuinely care. Putting it together, being a active Jew in todays society, I think it is much more appropriate to wish another "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," or even "Happy Hanukah" for that matter.