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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: McD's and tiresome non-use of the word Christmas
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
So I was in McDonalds last night (sometimes you just give in to whining kids) scarfing down the wholesome, nutricious food that they serve there, when I started looking around the place.
This is UK-centric by the way. I don’t know if it’s the same elsewhere, but the decorations looked very ”Christmassy”, gold stars with Christmas-type words on such as “Gift”, “Llight”, “Tinsel”, “joy” etc. And the menu had “Festive Tomato Sauce”, “Celebration Chicken Sandwich” and “Winter Warmer Burger”.
You can guess what’s coming can’t you. Not one mention anywhere of the actual word “Christmas”. I spent a whole five minutes looking, and not one instance of the word “Christmas”.
I think we should boycott them, although to be honest, I don’t think they’d miss my odd few quid now and then as we rarely go in. It’s only if my lad wants the toy in the happy meal because his mates have got one.
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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Marvin the Martian
Interplanetary
# 4360
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
Not one mention anywhere of the actual word “Christmas”. I spent a whole five minutes looking, and not one instance of the word “Christmas”.
So bloody what? Christmas isn't the only festival that happens this time of year you know.
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Hail Gallaxhar
Posts: 30100 | From: Adrift on a sea of surreality | Registered: Apr 2003
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
deano, McD's call their gaffs "restaurants". Do you expect them to get the name of the season right?
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
Wait, you want Christianity to sponsor McDonald's promotions? ![[Ultra confused]](graemlins/confused2.gif)
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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fletcher christian
Mutinous Seadog
# 13919
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Posted
I was totally gutted that McD's didn't have a dawili burger and KFC didn't have a ramadam bucket. Boycotted them ever since.
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'God is love insaturable, love impossible to describe'
Staretz Silouan
Posts: 5235 | From: a prefecture | Registered: Jul 2008
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Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
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Posted
Apparently McDonald's in Greece does offer a special Lent menu.
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Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
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Enoch
Shipmate
# 14322
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ricardus:
Apparently McDonald's in Greece does offer a special Lent menu.
Can any Orthodox shipmates confirm whether shrimps are approved Lenten fare? Also some of the items look as though they are in some sort of batter. Has no oil been involved in preparing them?
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Brexit wrexit - Sir Graham Watson
Posts: 7610 | From: Bristol UK(was European Green Capital 2015, now Ljubljana) | Registered: Nov 2008
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Lord Jestocost
Shipmate
# 12909
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by fletcher christian:
I was totally gutted that McD's didn't have a dawili burger and KFC didn't have a ramadam bucket. Boycotted them ever since.
Is that a bucket that only opens between sunset and sunrise?
Posts: 761 | From: The Instrumentality of Man | Registered: Aug 2007
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ricardus:
Wait, you want Christianity to sponsor McDonald's promotions?
There's been an uptick in this "Christmas isn't commercialized enough" line of thinking lately.
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
Deano,
I understand how hard it could be to give up "Festive Tomato Sauce". When I'm in a place this time of year I always tell them "Merry Christmas", regardless of what someone hung on the wall.
But "Festive Tomato Sauce". I'll have to make inquiries. Mmm hmm.
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"Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward."
Delmar O'Donnell
Posts: 2797 | From: West Carolina | Registered: Sep 2006
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Evensong
Shipmate
# 14696
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by fletcher christian:
I was totally gutted that McD's didn't have a dawili burger and KFC didn't have a ramadam bucket. Boycotted them ever since.
![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif)
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a theological scrapbook
Posts: 9481 | From: Australia | Registered: Apr 2009
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
Deano,
I understand how hard it could be to give up "Festive Tomato Sauce". When I'm in a place this time of year I always tell them "Merry Christmas", regardless of what someone hung on the wall.
quote:
"I Usually Say 'Happy Holidays,'" By Jesus Christ
Honestly? It's just a matter of politeness. Some people don't celebrate my birthday, and I try not to make anyone feel uncomfortable about it. I'm like that.
Plus, there are - and I am not exaggerating - a lot of Jewish people in my family. I spent my whole life with them, and yeah, they don't really approve of my career as the Messiah. But families are always like that. You think I want folks celebrating my birthday by taking an entire month to turn America into a sparkly, glowing Gentilepalooza, and making everyone I'm related to feel isolated and weird? Seriously, what kind of massive douche would that make me? If your idea of celebrating my season is making an elderly Wal-Mart greeter offend a few hundred cousins of mine, you just have no idea who I am or what I want.
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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Anyuta
Shipmate
# 14692
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Posted
Yes, shellfish are Lenten. Olive oil is not, under the strictest fasting rules. Some interpret that to be all oil, but most do not, and frankly most don't follow the oil restriction at all...in my experience anyway.
That batter might contain eggs, but I'd guess if it is being advertised as Lenten, it does not.
As for the whole "they didn't say the word Christmas! How dare they?!" Thing...oh, get over it! If it really bothers you, assume they were New Years decorations.
Christmas doesn't have the sole rights to the words "peace", "joy" , light or tinsel.those words , concepts and decorative items have no unique association with Christmas...next you'll be adding snowmen and reindeer to the list! Non Christians , even non religious do have a holiday coming up.
Posts: 764 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2009
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
quote:
Originally posted by Ricardus:
Apparently McDonald's in Greece does offer a special Lent menu.
Can any Orthodox shipmates confirm whether shrimps are approved Lenten fare? Also some of the items look as though they are in some sort of batter. Has no oil been involved in preparing them?
Yes, shrimp are Lenten fare even in the strictest of monasteries. The full Lenten fast includes abstinence from meat, dairy and eggs, bony fish, alcohol, and olive oil. In some areas, the restriction on oil is extended to apply to other oils, but I'm pretty sure it's just olive oil in Greece.
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I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Mere Nick
Shipmate
# 11827
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
"I Usually Say 'Happy Holidays,'" By Jesus Christ
Honestly? It's just a matter of politeness. Some people don't celebrate my birthday, and I try not to make anyone feel uncomfortable about it. I'm like that.
Plus, there are - and I am not exaggerating - a lot of Jewish people in my family. I spent my whole life with them, and yeah, they don't really approve of my career as the Messiah. But families are always like that. You think I want folks celebrating my birthday by taking an entire month to turn America into a sparkly, glowing Gentilepalooza, and making everyone I'm related to feel isolated and weird? Seriously, what kind of massive douche would that make me? If your idea of celebrating my season is making an elderly Wal-Mart greeter offend a few hundred cousins of mine, you just have no idea who I am or what I want.
What is it, The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
In any of the stores I go into it is Christmas decorations. There's no confusion as to what they are saying in their decorations so they might as well say it with their mouths.
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"Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward."
Delmar O'Donnell
Posts: 2797 | From: West Carolina | Registered: Sep 2006
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
When I'm in a place this time of year I always tell them "Merry Christmas", regardless of what someone hung on the wall.
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
What is it, The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
In any of the stores I go into it is Christmas decorations. There's no confusion as to what they are saying in their decorations so they might as well say it with their mouths.
Wait a sec. What difference does it make what kind of decorations are out? You claim you say "Merry Christmas" regardless of what kind of decorations (menorah) are present. Or are you saying that you won't go into stores that don't have Christmas decorations out? I guess that's another possible interpretation of "any of the stores I go into".
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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Matt Black
Shipmate
# 2210
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Posted
I say 'Happy Christmas' regardless of which store I'm in or what decorations they have in. To date, I've never received any objection or complaint.
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"Protestant and Reformed, according to the Tradition of the ancient Catholic Church" - + John Cosin (1594-1672)
Posts: 14304 | From: Hampshire, UK | Registered: Jan 2002
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tclune
Shipmate
# 7959
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
What is it, The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
Seems to me more like the holiday that can't shut up.
--Tom Clune
[ 07. December 2012, 13:52: Message edited by: tclune ]
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This space left blank intentionally.
Posts: 8013 | From: Western MA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Honest Ron Bacardi
Shipmate
# 38
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
When I'm in a place this time of year I always tell them "Merry Christmas", regardless of what someone hung on the wall.
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
What is it, The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
In any of the stores I go into it is Christmas decorations. There's no confusion as to what they are saying in their decorations so they might as well say it with their mouths.
Wait a sec. What difference does it make what kind of decorations are out? You claim you say "Merry Christmas" regardless of what kind of decorations (menorah) are present. Or are you saying that you won't go into stores that don't have Christmas decorations out? I guess that's another possible interpretation of "any of the stores I go into".
The thing is, though, Croesos that the OP is about the UK, not the USA. As Wikipedia notes quote:
In the United States, the collective phrase "Happy Holidays" is often used as a generic cover-all greeting for all of the winter holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa; however, the phrase is not widespread in other countries.
The main objection to it here is that it is yet another Americanization of culture, where rich American corporations come to tell us what we ought to be thinking and saying, whilst taking our money and banking it far from the nearest taxman.
Amazon copped an earful for this a couple of years ago - check out the difference between amazon.com and amazon.co.uk currently. They are still getting hostile press on the tax-evasion thing.
Though I have to concede that anyone who patronizes McD in the first place is asking for all they get, in many ways.
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Anglo-Cthulhic
Posts: 4857 | From: the corridors of Pah! | Registered: May 2001
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Freddy
Shipmate
# 365
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
I love that. "He who must not be named."
Still, I think that it is terrific that we celebrate the Lord's birth with a month-long extravaganza that is so huge that even non-believers cannot avoid participating.
I say God Bless them!
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"Consequently nothing is of greater importance to a person than knowing what the truth is." Swedenborg
Posts: 12845 | From: Bryn Athyn | Registered: Jun 2001
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Honest Ron Bacardi:
The main objection to it here is that it is yet another Americanization of culture, . . .
I'm pretty sure that if you're eating at McDonalds that battle has already been conceded, regardless of what specific greeting is used.
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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Honest Ron Bacardi
Shipmate
# 38
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Freddy:
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
I love that. "He who must not be named."
Still, I think that it is terrific that we celebrate the Lord's birth with a month-long extravaganza that is so huge that even non-believers cannot avoid participating.
I say God Bless them!
I wish I thought that's what most of them were doing, Freddy. It looks more like Saturnalia to me.
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Anglo-Cthulhic
Posts: 4857 | From: the corridors of Pah! | Registered: May 2001
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Honest Ron Bacardi
Shipmate
# 38
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
quote:
Originally posted by Honest Ron Bacardi:
The main objection to it here is that it is yet another Americanization of culture, . . .
I'm pretty sure that if you're eating at McDonalds that battle has already been conceded, regardless of what specific greeting is used.
Well, yes, but MacD's restaurants were not based in Gitmo-style diplomatic enclaves last time I looked. They do interact with the locals, much as may wring my hands about it.
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Anglo-Cthulhic
Posts: 4857 | From: the corridors of Pah! | Registered: May 2001
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Hawking Dawkins
Apprentice
# 17457
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Honest Ron Bacardi:
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
When I'm in a place this time of year I always tell them "Merry Christmas", regardless of what someone hung on the wall.
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
What is it, The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
In any of the stores I go into it is Christmas decorations. There's no confusion as to what they are saying in their decorations so they might as well say it with their mouths.
Wait a sec. What difference does it make what kind of decorations are out? You claim you say "Merry Christmas" regardless of what kind of decorations (menorah) are present. Or are you saying that you won't go into stores that don't have Christmas decorations out? I guess that's another possible interpretation of "any of the stores I go into".
The thing is, though, Croesos that the OP is about the UK, not the USA. As Wikipedia notes quote:
In the United States, the collective phrase "Happy Holidays" is often used as a generic cover-all greeting for all of the winter holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa; however, the phrase is not widespread in other countries.
The main objection to it here is that it is yet another Americanization of culture, where rich American corporations come to tell us what we ought to be thinking and saying, whilst taking our money and banking it far from the nearest taxman.
Amazon copped an earful for this a couple of years ago - check out the difference between amazon.com and amazon.co.uk currently. They are still getting hostile press on the tax-evasion thing.
Though I have to concede that anyone who patronizes McD in the first place is asking for all they get, in many ways.
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Science knows it doesn't know everything; otherwise, it'd stop. But just because science doesn't know everything doesn't mean you can fill in the gaps with whatever fairy tale most appeals to you.
Posts: 4 | From: Lytham | Registered: Dec 2012
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Hawking Dawkins
Apprentice
# 17457
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Honest Ron Bacardi:
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
When I'm in a place this time of year I always tell them "Merry Christmas", regardless of what someone hung on the wall.
quote:
Originally posted by Mere Nick:
What is it, The Holiday that Dare Not Speak its Name?
In any of the stores I go into it is Christmas decorations. There's no confusion as to what they are saying in their decorations so they might as well say it with their mouths.
Wait a sec. What difference does it make what kind of decorations are out? You claim you say "Merry Christmas" regardless of what kind of decorations (menorah) are present. Or are you saying that you won't go into stores that don't have Christmas decorations out? I guess that's another possible interpretation of "any of the stores I go into".
The thing is, though, Croesos that the OP is about the UK, not the USA. As Wikipedia notes quote:
In the United States, the collective phrase "Happy Holidays" is often used as a generic cover-all greeting for all of the winter holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa; however, the phrase is not widespread in other countries.
The main objection to it here is that it is yet another Americanization of culture, where rich American corporations come to tell us what we ought to be thinking and saying, whilst taking our money and banking it far from the nearest taxman.
Amazon copped an earful for this a couple of years ago - check out the difference between amazon.com and amazon.co.uk currently. They are still getting hostile press on the tax-evasion thing.
Though I have to concede that anyone who patronizes McD in the first place is asking for all they get, in many ways.
Honest Ron, you've Americanised yourself lol.
Americanization should read Americanisation
Patronizes should read Patronises.
Just saying ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Science knows it doesn't know everything; otherwise, it'd stop. But just because science doesn't know everything doesn't mean you can fill in the gaps with whatever fairy tale most appeals to you.
Posts: 4 | From: Lytham | Registered: Dec 2012
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Honest Ron Bacardi
Shipmate
# 38
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Posted
Ho ho ho - and a Merry Christmas to you too, Hawking Dawkins! And welcome to the ship!
Actually, the OED has both as English usage, with -ize as the prior form. They both stretch back to the days before orthography caught on. Some people press for the "s" usage because they feel the "z" usage is too classicist (from the Greek) and the "s" usage is commoner in current UK usage - I think by around 2 to 1, though I may have misremembered the figures.
[ 07. December 2012, 14:23: Message edited by: Honest Ron Bacardi ]
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Anglo-Cthulhic
Posts: 4857 | From: the corridors of Pah! | Registered: May 2001
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Freddy
Shipmate
# 365
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Hawking Dawkins:
Honest Ron, you've Americanised yourself lol.
Americanization should read Americanisation
Patronizes should read Patronises.
Just saying
One of my assistant pastors is moving next week from our beautiful church here in Philadelphia to the congregation in Colchester. He has switched the English in his word processor from American English to U.K. English and comments that he is surprised at how many words "you people" misspell.
But I should say that he and his family are very much looking forward to experiencing an English Christmas. They have heard that it is a wonderful thing and subtly different from the American version. I'm sure they'll head for McD's first thing!
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"Consequently nothing is of greater importance to a person than knowing what the truth is." Swedenborg
Posts: 12845 | From: Bryn Athyn | Registered: Jun 2001
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BessLane
Shipmate
# 15176
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Posted
Ummm...isn't this Advent right now? Why would I say Merry Christmas when it isn't Christmas yet? It would be like my wishing my husband, born in March, Happy Birthday in the middle of February. ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
I'm not really that obtuse, but that's always the first thought that springs to my mind when these annual kerfluffles arise. ISTM that many of the folks I run into who are all up in arms about the alleged war on Christmas couldn't even tell you when Advent is, let alone what it is. (Same goes for Easter and Lent in these parts). Every year, I despair a little bit, as it sometimes seems Chrsitmas is seen as the be all and end all of Christianity.
You're Either For Us or Against Us is a terrible attitude to have towards the rest of the world when you are supposed to be preparing to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.
YMMV...
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It's all on me and I won't tell it.
formerly BessHiggs
Posts: 1388 | From: Yorkville, TN | Registered: Sep 2009
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Anyuta
Shipmate
# 14692
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Posted
Is the point to wish someone a happy YOUR holiday, or a happy THEIR holiday? I can't imagine the self absorption it takes to knowingly, deliberately wish someone a happy holiday they do not celebrate. It makes the good wishes about me, rather than about the person to whom I ma, presumably wishing the good holiday.
When in a situation where it is reasonable to assume that the person to whom I am speaking is Christian, then I say merry Christmas. If I have reason to believe they are Jewish, I wish them happy hanukah. If I have no way of guessing their beliefs or which holiday THEY celebrate, then I either go for happy holidays, or happy new year, or just have a great weekend...
It's not supposed to be about me.
A store or resteraunt reasonably can assume that they will have customers of different faiths, or of none... So a genaric display makes the most sense.
It's common curtesy!
Posts: 764 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2009
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by BessHiggs:
You're Either For Us or Against Us is a terrible attitude to have towards the rest of the world when you are supposed to be preparing to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.
YMMV...
From the aforementioned satire by "Jesus Christ":
quote:
Look, none of this is really about celebrating me at all. It's to show that you're a member of a club, and that club has economic and political power. Well, leave me out of it. I was offered that sort of deal, you know. I had a whole conversation on top of a mountain with someone, and that's exactly what he put on the table. I turned it down. So should you.
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Yea, its the annual Help, Help Christmas is being Repressed thread. Funny how this is felt in countries where Christianity enjoys dominance as a religion.
HRB, not everything American is bad, nor everything British good. I like Happy Holidays. It does not denigrate Christmas, but elevate the other winter holidays, which are just as important to their adherents as Christmas to Christians. And some of those celebrations are older than Christmas.
"Jesus is the reason for the season"? No, at least not the only one.
Mere Nick, If one extends to another the greeting associated with their celebration, why would anyone object? For myself, I return the greeting with whatever greeting they gave me. This is called courtesy.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Beeswax Altar
Shipmate
# 11644
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Jestocost:
quote:
Originally posted by fletcher christian:
I was totally gutted that McD's didn't have a dawili burger and KFC didn't have a ramadam bucket. Boycotted them ever since.
Is that a bucket that only opens between sunset and sunrise?
That would be awesome.
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Losing sleep is something you want to avoid, if possible.
-Og: King of Bashan
Posts: 8411 | From: By a large lake | Registered: Jul 2006
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Alogon
Cabin boy emeritus
# 5513
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Posted
Dear Deano,
Congratulations on finding a reason not to patronize McDonald's. Any reason whatsoever not to go there is better than going there. I can't help you with the Christmas issue because I have no clout, having gone as it is about once every three years, when I'm in a hurry. They wouldn't miss me.
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Patriarchy (n.): A belief in original sin unaccompanied by a belief in God.
Posts: 7808 | From: West Chester PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
I’m not that bothered about McD’s doing their own thing with the decorations to be honest, but you certainly couldn’t mistake the decorations for anything other than Christmas decorations though. If you can’t face going into a McD’s to check them out, then at least look through one of their windows and you will see what I mean. Again caveat that with UK-centric point of view.
The thing is someone at McD’s must have designed those decorations and food names and had them approved before being made and distributed. These things go through teams of people to get it just right, but it just seems to me that they went to an awful lot of trouble to make them look like Christmas decorations whilst avoiding using the word itself. It would have been easier – in my mind – to just have used the actual word.
For most people in their it’s just background, something on the edge of your consciousness that you wouldn’t be expected to notice. I suspect most people will be too busy trying to supress the gag reflex to worry about the tinselly, gold starts hanging from the ceiling. But I’m made of sterner stuff and having swallowed the Big Mac in one lump, I took a glance round. If you do actually look at the decorations it is obvious. Seriously you won’t be able to look at the McD’s decorations now without the lack of the word Christmas glaring out at you.
Of course McD’s food is awful, but it’s quick, convenient and it shuts the kids up for a few precious moments whilst their shovelling chicken nuggets down their little necks. Also, isn't KFC the only place you would ever buy food in a BUCKET! Whatever! It will just serve to counterpoint the delicious meal we’ll be having at home tonight when we will have the time to cook it.
As far as the naming of the season goes, I really don’t care what they call the dreary commercial-, food, and binge-drinking- fest that accompanies Christmas nowadays. To be honest, if they stopped calling it Christmas and went for Saturnalia, Festival of Light, Winterval or whatever, it would make me quite happy. It would mean that the real Christmas is returned back to where it belongs, in Church on Christmas morning! If McD’s want to do that I would welcome it, but they won’t, so we have this dreadful halfway-house where the events are tedious, sentimental, vomit-laden excuses to buy the latest Xbox or Barbie Ho’ doll, masquerading under a totally inappropriate name that companies are careful to avoid using in order to sell more of their tat. I’m glad I’m a shareholder!
[ 07. December 2012, 15:19: Message edited by: deano ]
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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Spiffy
Ship's WonderSheep
# 5267
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Posted
I am very thankful that in my entire life I only spent one holiday season as a minimum wage retail worker. And that was at IKEA.
I made the decision (on my own, with no direction from management) to wish people "Happy Holidays" whilst checking them out during that December. Only one person took it upon themselves to go Full Deano on me and explain very pompously, and very piously, and very loudly that it was CHRISTMAS and I should wish people MERRY CHRISTMAS because BABY JESUS.
I was roused from my retail hell haze just enough to look that patron right in the eye and state, "I'm a traditional Christian, and it's still just Advent."
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Looking for a simple solution to all life's problems? We are proud to present obstinate denial. Accept no substitute. Accept nothing.
--Night Vale Radio Twitter Account
Posts: 10281 | From: Beervana | Registered: Dec 2003
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spiffy:
Only one person took it upon themselves to go Full Deano on me and explain very pompously, and very piously, and very loudly that it was CHRISTMAS and I should wish people MERRY CHRISTMAS because BABY JESUS.
NO, NO, NO!!!!
I DON@T GIVE A RATS ARSE WHATEVER WE CALL THE TIME OF YEAR!!!!
CHRISTMAS WILL START FOR ME AT THE CAROL SERVICE ON CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!
CALL THE MONEY-FEST ANYTHING YOU LIKE!!!!
MY CHRISTMAS ISN'T BEING REPRESSED!!!!
Sorry for the shouting but I want it making clear that I DON'T CARE WHAT IT'S CALLED!!!!
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
You can guess what’s coming can’t you. Not one mention anywhere of the actual word “Christmas”. I spent a whole five minutes looking, and not one instance of the word “Christmas”.
I think we should boycott them, . . .
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
NO, NO, NO!!!!
I DON@T GIVE A RATS ARSE WHATEVER WE CALL THE TIME OF YEAR!!!!
I'm having a hard time reconciling that first post (spending "a whole five minutes" meticulously searching a fast food restaurant for signs of theological compliance and suggesting a boycott when the deficiency was uncovered) with the last (not giving "a rat's arse" about such things) in any kind of coherent manner. Explanation please?
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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Matt Black
Shipmate
# 2210
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Posted
It's rather floored me, too
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"Protestant and Reformed, according to the Tradition of the ancient Catholic Church" - + John Cosin (1594-1672)
Posts: 14304 | From: Hampshire, UK | Registered: Jan 2002
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Honest Ron Bacardi
Shipmate
# 38
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Posted
lilbuddha - I wouldn't dream of saying all things American are bad - far from it. But there is a certain cluster of factors around this one from the UK perspective which make it different from the US, which are the ones mentioned earlier.
"The War Against Christmas"? I don't really want to get into that one - I'm just trying to confine myself to explaining why people need to take into account cultural differences. You don't need to agree with them, just understand why things should not be interpreted as identical on both sides of the pond on this one. Yes, we do have "War on Christmas" people here too of course.
And talking of cultural factors, it's also worth mentioning a couple more. Firstly, it is a community festival in the UK. That is somewhat on a collision path with the idea of it being a personal issue (either of one's self, or of others), which is at the root of the American usage issue. It would indeed be rude of me to insist that you can only be the subject of my goodwill if you consent to my religion or lack thereof. I doubt any Brits see it that way - the offer is unconditional, whatever you may think of what I do or don't believe. No doubt there is much to say on the individual vs. communitarian difference between Europe and the USA, but it would take far too long here.
Secondly, the more historically literate are aware that we did indeed have a War on Christmas at one stage. It ranked amongst the things that people disliked about puritanism in its English form at least. People may well have an aversion from that.
But as I say, my posts are more to do with pointing out transatlantic differences so people can understand why matters in general may not be seen the same way, even though some factors may be.
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Anglo-Cthulhic
Posts: 4857 | From: the corridors of Pah! | Registered: May 2001
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
No one seems to use anything other than "holiday" and "holiday gift" any more. Haven't been to a McDonald's for about 20 years. The last time I was there they didn't serve food. Or at least anything recognizable as such, though I'd understand in the UK that McDonald's might be a step up from traditional fare. ![[Projectile]](graemlins/puke2.gif)
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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deano
princess
# 12063
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
I'm having a hard time reconciling that first post (spending "a whole five minutes" meticulously searching a fast food restaurant for signs of theological compliance and suggesting a boycott when the deficiency was uncovered) with the last (not giving "a rat's arse" about such things) in any kind of coherent manner. Explanation please?
Sorry, British humour, I'm afraid. "A whole five minutes" was meant to represent just having a casual look round whilst waiting for the rest of the family to finish eating. Nothing more. I didn't time it, and I didn't spend five actual minutes. I remained seated all the time. I just looked round, read, out of idle curiosity, what was written on one of the decorations, noticed the word Christmas wasn't on there, looked at a few more. And finally went "Ho hum... there is a pattern here... Haven't you lot finished yet? No I don't want a f&*(ing McFlurry!!" (that last bit is also meant to be humerous by the way!)
The boycott thing was again an example of MY British sarcasm. Usually when this sort of stuff is put out, people will get on their high horses and claim we should boycott, smash windows and so on. I was being tongue-in-cheek. Sorry it didn't work.
Funny stuff is never funny if you have to explain them, is it?
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"The moral high ground is slowly being bombed to oblivion. " - Supermatelot
Posts: 2118 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: Nov 2006
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fletcher christian
Mutinous Seadog
# 13919
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Posted
Was the whole thread a joke then? I ask, cos it seems that about a half hour ago you very much gave a rats ass, and then started shouting contradictory stuff.
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'God is love insaturable, love impossible to describe'
Staretz Silouan
Posts: 5235 | From: a prefecture | Registered: Jul 2008
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Crœsos
Shipmate
# 238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
The boycott thing was again an example of MY British sarcasm. Usually when this sort of stuff is put out, people will get on their high horses and claim we should boycott, smash windows and so on. I was being tongue-in-cheek. Sorry it didn't work.
Funny stuff is never funny if you have to explain them, is it?
I think you've run afoul of "Poe's Law". It's hard to find something like that humorous (or humourous) when there are actual people suggesting precisely the same actions in all seriousness. In other words, if there's no upper limit to the absurdity of some religious outrage artists, it's impossible to go "over the top" in a satirical way. There is no top to go over.
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Humani nil a me alienum puto
Posts: 10706 | From: Sardis, Lydia | Registered: May 2001
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Honest Ron Bacardi:
But as I say, my posts are more to do with pointing out transatlantic differences so people can understand why matters in general may not be seen the same way, even though some factors may be.
Apologies for misinterpreting. However, I would note that in most Brits do "a" and Yanks do "b" threads, someone will illustrate this not being completely true, and not due to recent cross pondination. But, being raised in multiple countries and continents, my reference points are different and I may may see things the same as lifelong residents.
Enough from me on this tangent and back to our regularly scheduled programme, "The Attack on Christmas"
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Crœsos:
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
The boycott thing was again an example of MY British sarcasm. Usually when this sort of stuff is put out, people will get on their high horses and claim we should boycott, smash windows and so on. I was being tongue-in-cheek. Sorry it didn't work.
Funny stuff is never funny if you have to explain them, is it?
I think you've run afoul of "Poe's Law". It's hard to find something like that humorous (or humourous) when there are actual people suggesting precisely the same actions in all seriousness. In other words, if there's no upper limit to the absurdity of some religious outrage artists, it's impossible to go "over the top" in a satirical way. There is no top to go over.
And this was posted in Purg. And as the label on this tin says serious, that is the way most of us will interpret an OP.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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RuthW
liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by deano:
I DON@T GIVE A RATS ARSE WHATEVER WE CALL THE TIME OF YEAR!!!!
"McD's and tiresome non-use of the word Christmas" is the title of the thread. Either you care what it's called or you don't. Make up your mind.
Posts: 24453 | From: La La Land | Registered: Apr 2001
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Honest Ron Bacardi
Shipmate
# 38
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Posted
It does somewhat inhibit meaningful discussion.
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Anglo-Cthulhic
Posts: 4857 | From: the corridors of Pah! | Registered: May 2001
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Fr Weber
Shipmate
# 13472
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Posted
I was at the movies this past weekend with friends, and during the interminable series of AMC commercials that always precedes the movie the theater flogged pre-purchased passes, which were "perfect for everyone on your holiday list!" What irks me about that is not any War On Krissmuss nonsense, but the oh-so-culturally-sensitive pretense that there are other major holidays this month which feature the exchange of gifts.
(Yes, I know that people exchange gifts for Hanukkah & Kwanzaa. The gift exchange is expressly in imitation of Christmas, and everybody knows that)
Having said that, though, for retailers it's probably best to go on wishing customers a happy holiday, since they generally have no idea which holiday (if any) the customer celebrates.
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"The Eucharist is not a play, and you're not Jesus."
--Sr Theresa Koernke, IHM
Posts: 2512 | From: Oakland, CA | Registered: Feb 2008
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Anyuta
Shipmate
# 14692
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Posted
Well, for many years and in many countries, gift exchange were not associated with Christmas at all, but with either St. Nicholas day (which was yesterday), or with New Years, or with "three kings" day... yes, all christian (except New Years), but not specifically Christmas.
Gift exchanges on Hanukah probably are copying the modern christian practice, but other cultures have exchanged gifts at midwinter long before Christians adopted the practice.
Posts: 764 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2009
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