Various holiday greetings...help?

It's somewhat awkward to know how to wish someone greetings for their particular beliefs sometimes. Christians wish Merry Christmas or Happy Easter, Jewish is Happy Chaunukkah (sp?) and I don't know all the others, but what greeting or wish do we express for Kwanzaa and how do we know when these events occur if they vary from year to year?

What other holidays might occur that we should know what to say in response? Anyone share ones for any other religious observance or national day? If the day varies, please also tell us how to know when it occurs.

Thanks!

Sandi Bowman

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Sandi Bowman

It's somewhat awkward to know how to wish someone greetings for their particular beliefs sometimes. Christians wish Merry Christmas or Happy Easter, Jewish is Happy Chaunukkah (sp?) and I don't know all the others, but what greeting or wish do we express for Kwanzaa and how do we know when these events occur if they vary from year to year?

Hi Sandi,

I was talking with a friend a couple weeks ago about a similar issue... Which is, where I live, some city councils try to get rid of "official" Christmas celebrations. The reason give is usually so as not to "offend" non-Christians (though when asked, most people of other religions are not "offended" at all - even though they're used as the "excuse")...

Anyway, if people are concerned with "not offending", my friend suggested - why not celebrate and respect multiple religious traditions? (This friend of mine is a very religious Christian. He was a Benedictine monk, within the Anglican/Episcopalian church - he's now in his 50s - he left the monastic life to help care for his ageing mother, but he's still very religious.)

I just thought I'd "throw" that out there... I realize it's not what you were asking about, but I thought his comment was interesting nevertheless...

Best wishes,

Dien

Sandi,

This may help a little...
http://www.earthcalendar.net/

Phil

Thanks for the replies and help so far.

Since we have a fairly broad representation of experiences, origins, etc...I was hoping that people would share things that they've come across in their work or travels that makes communication, in view of observances, much easier for those who try to be respectful and considerate of others.

Americans, in particular, are often cited as being rude when it comes to being sensitive to those whose choices differ from their own. I think it's just plain ignorance...and I've discovered why: there's simply no good reference for anyone who wishes to be otherwise (at least I haven't found one). Thus, this post.

Please share your knowledge and help others who wish to not offend anyone. Help to build bridges between people instead of trampling on the toes of others. It need not be your religion or holiday...just share your knowledge no matter it's source, but do try to be as accurate as possible or let us know that it's not a certainty.

Thanks!

Sandi Bowman

Oh, if only it was that simple, Anthony! LOL Even so, the thoughts expressed are interesting. Thanks!

Here's one small dilemma I've had that brought this to my attention. I don't understand Kwanzaa very well at all but, when my neighbor said they celebrated Kwanzaa, I didn't know what to say except 'That's nice' or some other stupid statement like 'How interesting'. How much better if I had had something appropriate with which to respond. Should I wish them happy Kwanzaa? Perhaps sympathy or an offer of help? Heck, I don't know for sure.

I found a small snippet on Kwanzaa (subsequent to the encounter) and it said it is some type of celebration of family and community. If so, my comment of 'That's nice' must've sounded like I was a total air-head who doesn't even appreciate family and community. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Ah, well...

Sandi Bowman

Hey...

For anyone that's interested...

This Topic could make a very interesting Niche.

And Google "says" International micro niches will be a Love affair in 2007.

Celebrate Kwanzaa...

http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

Locally...

If you live around particular International cultures...

Network and Joint Venture with the communities...

And develop International Hotsheets!

With a backend to International specialty products...

And Marketing Services to Help those small business communities and of course your International Niche consulting business!

Phil

And for those that Don't believe in micro niches and Creative Possibilities.

Here's just one example...

How many International micro niche opportunities are there?

Tons of Great Ideas!

And few are Doing it...

Do your homework and you might find a Winner!

http://www.cafepress.com/buy/kwanzaa

Phil

Thanks for the links, Phil. Makes me wonder why none of them showed up when I used the search engines. Maybe it's the terms I used for the search. Who knows?

Love the way they draw the distinctions on parts of the main site for Kwanzaa. It says a lot more than just what the words convey if you read it with a questioning mind.

When I saw those Swahili greetings according to the day, well, it's nice to know it's quite acceptable to wish folks Happy Kwanzaa should the occasion arise.

Now, let's see...how many hundreds of other celebrations are there to consider? I think I've created a monster task. Like most things it will probably filter down to a handful rather than a world full of options since most of us will not encounter the majority of them in our lifetime.

All input greatly appreciated, folks. Thanks!

Sandi Bowman

[Ankesh]

An opinion from someone who lives in a land where there are 30 recognized languages and a dozen major religions.

Most people won't mind if you wish them Merry Xmas - even if they are not Christians. No - its not being insensitive.

Wishing rule of thumb: wish how others want to be wished. If you don't know their peference, wish what the majority wish.

When you wish them Merry Xmas and they say something like - Oh I'm not a Christian - ask them what they are and how would they like to be wished.

Instead of just saying "How nice" you could say "How nice - how do you wish to celebrate Kwanzaa?"