more than a little fed up with this "politically correct" nonsense. Yes, it IS nonsense.
I got told off yesterday for wishing someone Merry Christmas. I happen to know the person and they were more than happy to be wished a Merry Christmas. It was a passer by, a complete stranger, who told me off. He couldn't tell the other person off because they had walked on. I was still unlocking the trusty pedals and thus captive audience.
This officious individual presumed to tell me, "for (my) own good" that "those sort of greetings are not acceptable any more" and that I needed to be "much more careful because it could offend someone".
Well, I am sorry but I am offended, deeply offended. He had absolutely no business to say anything to me.
The vast majority of Australians will celebrate Christmas. Most of them will not attend church and may have only vague ideas about the story behind the holiday but they will celebrate anyway. Devout atheists will celebrate it. I know of Jewish friends who happily attend the pre-Christmas "drinks" party of their neighbours - after all they would be the only people in the street not to go if they did not. It doesn't mean they are celebrating Christmas. It's a social occasion. They did not feel insulted.
And friends in another state invited their Muslim neighbours to a similar event. They made it clear they were not being invited to celebrate a religious event but because, in our culture, it is traditional to invite friends and neighbours to such things. Their neighbours, fairly new to Australia, were reportedly bewildered but pleased to be included in the street community. They did not feel insulted. Come the end of Ramadan they reciprocated.
Surely that's the way it ought to be?
Instead of that there are rumours, hopefully not correct, that the local shopping centre may not be able to have Christmas decorations next year.
What comes next? The banning of Christmas carols. Hiding Christmas cards under the counter and allowing them only to be sold to registered members of local churches? Will Australia Post be told they can no longer offer to send cards for the slightly cheaper rate? Will shops be required to be open on Christmas Day and will it cease being a holiday altogether?
The minority who object to seasonal traditions and getting their way are not doing us any favours.
I told the stranger, "I find your attitude obnoxious."
It was not polite and probably just reinforced his opinion but I was insulted. It's time we stood up to such people.
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3 comments:
That sort of attitude should be treated by strapping them to a chair and force-feeding them roast turkey and Christmas cake until they scream for mercy, or better, go shouting "Merry Christmas" in the street.
If they got their way, and all mention of Christmas were banned, they would just find something else that needed to be disapproved of. Thinking back to my my youth, they are the modern day pharisees, as in the parable.
Jeanfromcornwall expressed it wonderfully - modern day Pharisees.
I am free from it here, but mother in the U.K. says she has friends worrying whether they should write Merry Christmas on their cards to younger people.
I might find a little bit of room to accept that it might be offensive to some if we were allowed to be offended when others celebrate anything which is not part of our traditions, but we have to accept theirs!
However, I have never been offended by anybody celebrating anything, except maybe some loudmouth drunks at weddings!
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