[Salty]

OK the on going saga of how dumb it is to work at Best Buy (yah I've got a blog but whatever leave me alone I figure some of you will get a kick out of this.) We are no longer allowed to wish people a Merry Christmas! I imagine even if they say they're shopping for Christmas gifts. Apparently all the trees graphics all over the store specifically leave out red and green because Best Buy does not wish to look like it supports one Christmas holiday over another.
Apparently management is dumb enough to think that the store could get sued over someone wishing someone else a merry Christmas. I turned to my boss after I was told this and said, "As someone who is a Christian, I have to say, this is f*cking stupid!" I swear instead of admitting it and simply saying yah well whatever just don't say merry Christmas, my boss decided to try and explain to me why it made sense for Best Buy. Bloody hell I'm sick of working for a company that embraces mindless following so much (no wonder we sell so few Macs ).

Anyway, yah so this is the ongoing list of annoyances at Best Buy:
Perpetual recitation of company acronyms (you can't simply be nice and sell stuff you have to do it to the acronym FIRST, using the Complete Solution! And of course using the Four Steps of PSP!)
The fact that 30 seconds in the back putting away one's jacket is considered theft, however me being asked to put a TV in a customer's car after I've clocked out and gotten my jacket is not?
And now, I have been told by my employer that the celebration of the incarnation of my God is offensive to people so I need to never mention it!

Well anyway, conveniently enough apparently the school I was looking at going to would not transfer some of my credits because my marks in them were low (yah smart guy + bad work ethic= a couple of Ds). So it looks like I'll be finishing my degree at my original school despite the fact that the theology dept is a bunch of heretics (actually not all just most of em). So I'll be ditching Best Buy just before school starts. Sadly I still have almost a month to endure. Fortunately however that means I'll still get my discount on all the toys I'm going to buy before I leave!

[Uncle Skeleton]

I never spend any money at stores that promote christmas. I am offended by Jesus, and especially his birth.

Besides that, you're not supposed to enjoy your job. Getting paid for doing something you enjoy anyway is stealing.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton

I never spend any money at stores that promote christmas. I am offended by Jesus, and especially his birth.

Besides that, you're not supposed to enjoy your job. Getting paid for doing something you enjoy anyway is stealing.

Is that you Boss?

[wataru]

Yeah, I bet your job would get pretty loose

Learn how to spell please.

[RGB]

I'm sick of working for a company that embraces mindless following so much

I don't mean to be offensive, but, umm, you just, umm, ya know, described, err - religion.

Just sayin'

As someone raised Jewish, I can understand being put off by a company that assumes I celebrate Christmas, never considers that maybe Jesus isn't exactly a big deal to me.

As someone who doesn't actually believe in any superior being, and thinks religion causes more intolerance than tolerance, I really couldn't care less how Best Buy greets me. Doesn't matter, no need to get worked up. Most of the people around me are Christian, it's a semi-reasonable assumption in most areas that people are doing Christmas shopping.

People need to stop taking themselves so seriously.

[scaught]

saying "merry christmas" is specific to a certain religion.

a company that appears to endorse one specific religion could endanger alienating some of their customer base.

its not so hard to understand.

[Dakar]

Your theology department is heretics, eh?

[Goldfinger]

People who could be offended by being wished merry christmas are the sad ones. Christmas is a part of the culture of the country you live in. Thousands of non-religious people celebrate it as well (like me), just for the gifts part. So the others that practice other religions should just suck it and shut up about it. You've got a pretty narrow and deranged mind if you would even consider sueing over things like this.

Political correctness is going too far these days.

meh, Only in America™

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

meh, Only in America™

Salty is from Canada.

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton

Besides that, you're not supposed to enjoy your job. Getting paid for doing something you enjoy anyway is stealing.

No way man! I get paid for what I love to do. I live life by the motto: make your hobby your work and you'll never have to work again.

cheers

W-Y

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Salty is from Canada.

Canada is in America last time I looked.

cheers

W-Y

[Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

Canada is in America last time I looked.

Zing.

And best buy is a company based in the US. Happy now Railroader ?

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

Canada is in America last time I looked.

cheers

W-Y

I used this argument a while back and pissed off all of the Canadians.*

I decided to be respectful and and call them Canadians from now on. I suggest you do the same thing. Unless you are purposefully trying to piss them off, in that case, you are a complete moron.






























* You do realize that citizens of the United states of Americans are called "Americans" and that citizens of Canadian are called "Canadians" right? If not, you are a complete moron.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

Zing.

And best buy is a company based in the US. Happy now Railroader ?

See my post to W-Y above? It applies to you as well.

Cheers.

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Railroader

I used this argument a while back and pissed off all of the Canadians.*

I decided to be respectful and and call them Canadians from now on. I suggest you do the same thing. Unless you are purposefully trying to piss them off, in that case, you are a complete moron.

* You do realize that citizens of the United states of Americans are called "Americans" and that citizens of Canadian are called "Canadians" right? If not, you are a complete moron.

Very interesting. Would you agree that Spaniards are Europeans as well as Spaniards? Would you agree that Nigerians are Africans as well as Nigerians? Would you agree that Canadians are Americans as well as Canadians?

Perhaps the tables are turned

cheers

W-Y

[UNTeMac]

This kind of whining happens every year around this time. Best Buy is a business that serves customers of all religions. It is in their best interests to respect all holidays that occur at this time of the year by using a generic phrase.

Getting all shrill about it just means you're wasting energy that could be used drinking egg nog and standing around with mistletoe attached to your belt buckle.

[Goldfinger]

I never said Americans. I said America. But whatever. And in fact it doesn't really matter. What matters is the point I made.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

Very interesting. Would you agree that Spaniards are Europeans as well as Spaniards? Would you agree that Nigerians are Africans as well as Nigerians? Would you agree that Canadians are Americans as well as Canadians?

Perhaps the tables are turned

cheers

W-Y

Don't try to complicate the discussion and go off on a tangent like you usually do.

Are you denying what I said? You think Canadians are called "Americans"? Not "Canadians"?

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

I never said Americans. I said America. But whatever. And in fact it doesn't really matter. What matters is the point I made.

"America" eh? So, you think this kind of thing happens in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay. Venezuela, Belize, Costa Rica. El Salvador. Guatemala. Honduras. Nicaragua. and Panama as much as the USA?

I mean, they are all "America"s right? They just happen to be North, South, and Central Americas. Same thing right?

The point you made was that you made a mistake by saying "meh, Only in America™". And when I pointed out to you that your saying was technically wrong you showed you had the stubborn inability to admit you were wrong.

[Weyland-Yutani]

On topic: Unless it is after 6 PM on December 24th until December 26th I do not find wishing someone a merry Christmas appropriate, unless it is someone I know or is dear to me whom I won't be seeing before that time.

I don't care much for Christmas greetings from strangers before that time and I am Christian.

It all comes down to that Christmas is a special time but it is a certain time. It does not last all of December (or from mid November as some stores would have you think). So, unless you actually meet me at Christmas time, don't expect a Christmas greeting.

Would anyone wish someone a happy birthday days or weeks before the actual day? It seems rather silly to me and Christmas greetings in stores seem hollow to me since this is their main vending season. They are cashing in on our religious traditions and diluting them by spreading them over such a long period.

cheers

W-Y

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Don't try to complicate the discussion and go off on a tangent like you usually do.

Are you denying what I said? You think Canadians are called "Americans"? Not "Canadians"?

Forgive me, but are you denying that Canada is in America? I claimed it is and I think I will stand by it because it is correct.

cheers

W-Y

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

Forgive me, but are you denying that Canada is in America? I claimed it is and I think I will stand by it because it is correct.

cheers

W-Y

Here's part of my post to Goldfinger:

"America" eh? So, you think this kind of thing happens in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay. Venezuela, Belize, Costa Rica. El Salvador. Guatemala. Honduras. Nicaragua. and Panama as much as the USA?

I mean, they are all "America"s right? They just happen to be North, South, and Central Americas. Same thing right?

Are you saying Canada is commonly reffered to as "America"? Because what Goldfinger stated was "only in America", and the OP lives in Canada.

Should I start calling France "Europe"? If something stupid happened in France would I be correct in saying "Only in Europe".

Because that's what you are defending.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Salty

OK the on going saga of how dumb it is to work at Best Buy (yah I've got a blog but whatever leave me alone I figure some of you will get a kick out of this.) We are no longer allowed to wish people a Merry Christmas! I imagine even if they say they're shopping for Christmas gifts. Apparently all the trees graphics all over the store specifically leave out red and green because Best Buy does not wish to look like it supports one Christmas holiday over another.
Apparently management is dumb enough to think that the store could get sued over someone wishing someone else a merry Christmas. I turned to my boss after I was told this and said, "As someone who is a Christian, I have to say, this is f*cking stupid!" I swear instead of admitting it and simply saying yah well whatever just don't say merry Christmas, my boss decided to try and explain to me why it made sense for Best Buy. Bloody hell I'm sick of working for a company that embraces mindless following so much (no wonder we sell so few Macs ).

Anyway, yah so this is the ongoing list of annoyances at Best Buy:
Perpetual recitation of company acronyms (you can't simply be nice and sell stuff you have to do it to the acronym FIRST, using the Complete Solution! And of course using the Four Steps of PSP!)
The fact that 30 seconds in the back putting away one's jacket is considered theft, however me being asked to put a TV in a customer's car after I've clocked out and gotten my jacket is not?
And now, I have been told by my employer that the celebration of the incarnation of my God is offensive to people so I need to never mention it!

Well anyway, conveniently enough apparently the school I was looking at going to would not transfer some of my credits because my marks in them were low (yah smart guy + bad work ethic= a couple of Ds). So it looks like I'll be finishing my degree at my original school despite the fact that the theology dept is a bunch of heretics (actually not all just most of em). So I'll be ditching Best Buy just before school starts. Sadly I still have almost a month to endure. Fortunately however that means I'll still get my discount on all the toys I'm going to buy before I leave!

American companies.... they get the order from upper management because of stores located in more ethnically diverse places. Winnipeg is mostly whites and natives right?

[Mastrap]

Originally Posted by Railroader

moron.... moron.

Glad to see you're in the Christmas spirit.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Glad to see you're in the Christmas spirit.

I was simply following W-Y's desire not to recognize it as the holidays until "it is after 6 PM on December 24th until December 26th".

Thanks for focusing on two words in my posts. You have anything else enlightening to add to the thread?

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Are you saying Canada is commonly reffered to as "America"? Because what Goldfinger stated was "only in America", and the OP lives in Canada.

Actually outside the English speaking world 'America' is usually the continent, not the country. So Canada would be included when one would say 'America'. Just like Asia, Africa etc. In my country the US is usually called los Estados Unidos (EE UU), not Amerika, but even so since the OP is from Canada it would only be logical to interpret 'America' - in this case - as the continent as opposed to the country in this case, no?

Originally Posted by Railroader

Should I start calling France "Europe"? If something stupid happened in France would I be correct in saying "Only in Europe".

I made no comment on that nor is that something I would advocate, what I said is that Canada is in America. Which is true. So are the US and a number of other countries. However America can mean both the US and the continent. You chose to interpret it as the country and I would have too, had I not known Salty is from Canada. Thus I interpreted it as the continent, obviously.

Originally Posted by Railroader

Because that's what you are defending.

No, not really. No European country is called <insert name> and calls itself "Europe" and its citizens "Europeans". I'd say Americans are asking for this kind of confusion. Well, Americans do return the favor more often than not by proclaiming "I'm going to Paris, Europe".

cheers

W-Y

[Mastrap]

I was just figuring that calling people morons wasn't a very Christmassy thing to do. Especially as you're frequently complaining when Ca$h pulls similar stunts. But hey, whatever you think is the right thing to do. Happy Holidays, merry Christmas, take your pick.

I like the colour you've painted your house btw. Dove grey?

Edit: And Weyland-Yutani, when people speak about America, they mean the US, not Canada.

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Railroader

I was simply following W-Y's desire not to recognize it as the holidays until "it is after 6 PM on December 24th until December 26th".

Now let's not make this personal

cheers

W-Y

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

Forgive me, but are you denying that Canada is in America? I claimed it is and I think I will stand by it because it is correct.

cheers

W-Y

I'll be blunt here, DONT ASSOCIATE CANADA AS BEING AMERICA, you will make a enemy of me very quickly. North Americans refer to America as the United States of America. Mexicans and Canadians do NOT like being referred to America. You have Canada and Canadians, America, United States of America, USA and American referring to the US and Mexico and Mexicans for Mexico. I am glad you understand now. The only way America and Canada go together is when you are referring to North America or North Americans.

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Edit: And Weyland-Yutani, when people speak about America, they mean the US, not Canada.

Not where I come from, and that does often contamine the English translations of us foreigners who do. In English, you are absoloutly correct, but to be honest I don't speak English but rather a translation of my thoughts into the limited knowledge I have of English. I have never lived in a English speaking country or community. I can only assume I am not the only 'foreigner' who hasn't had the privilege.

My point is this: in my mind America is the continent, Americans are people from the US and the US is the US. That is the same pattern as used in my language.

cheers

W-Y

[Mastrap]

Ok. Fair enough. Let me rephrase then: In Germany, the UK and Canada, the countries I have lived in, people mean 'US' when they say 'America'.

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Athens

I'll be blunt here, DONT ASSOCIATE CANADA AS BEING AMERICA, you will make a enemy of me very quickly. North Americans refer to America as the United States of America. Mexicans and Canadians do NOT like being referred to America. You have Canada and Canadians, American, United States of America, USA and American referring to the US and Mexico and Mexicans for Mexico. I am glad you understand now. The only way America and Canada go together is when you are referring to North America or North Americans.

Very interesting. I'm not here to make any enemies, but Canada is associated with America in very many ways even if 'America' == USA. The largest trading partner with the US is Canada, the largest border of Canada is shared with the US, etc etc. Canada is not the US, I think that is pretty clear, but at the same time it is part of America and shares a great deal with the US.

I don't think anyone thinks of Canada as the the US, don't worry - but at the same time not everyone thinks of 'America' == USA. To many 'America' is the name of a continent and nothing else. I can imagine it is difficult to comprehend for you as a native English speaker, but there it is. Pardon if it causes you any inconvenience.

cheers

W-Y

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Weyland-Yutani

Very interesting. I'm not here to make any enemies, but Canada is associated with America in very many ways even if 'America' == USA. The largest trading partner with the US is Canada, the largest border of Canada is shared with the US, etc etc. Canada is not the US, I think that is pretty clear, but at the same time it is part of America and shares a great deal with the US.

I don't think anyone thinks of Canada as the the US, don't worry - but at the same time not everyone thinks of 'America' == USA. To many 'America' is the name of a continent and nothing else. I can imagine it is difficult to comprehend for you as a native English speaker, but there it is. Pardon if it causes you any inconvenience.

cheers

W-Y

Oh I was just being dramatic, i was kidding about the enemy part and one thing you forgot in that list of things, Canada also pokes the most fun at the Yanks and publicly challenge them on issues such as the environment which makes them very sore at us. I like to think we are either stupid or the only country with the balls to publicly put the US administration in its place I like to think of the got the balls one.

[NYCFarmboy]

people need to relax if they get annoyed if you with them a Merry Christmas.

In the United States we have freedom OF religion. Not Freedom FROM religion.

Some have missed that distinction.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

Political correctness is going too far these days.

meh, Only in America™

*cough*
Not forgetting that all Red Cross shops in the UK have banned Christmas decorations so as not to offend "those of other faiths". And that my idiot mayor officially renamed Christmas to "Winterfest" last year.

[Athens]

I blame lawyers for creating this atmosphere, no one wants to get sued.

[willed]

I always thought Canada was in North America? Oh well, maybe I was wrong...

[Athens]

Originally Posted by willed

I always thought Canada was in North America? Oh well, maybe I was wrong...

It is in North America and when used with the word NORTH it is correct. Using the word America refers only to the US. The word America's would also be correct.

[ShotgunEd]

Blah *****in' blah.

Even if people don't celebrate Christmas I don't see the offense in saying "I hope you have a pleasant time over the next few weeks, a period of time a lot of people call Christmas".

Mind you, I hate "Happy Christmas", it just feels wrong to me.

As for the America/Canada thing, here we call people from the US "stupid" and people from Canada "Canadians"

[Athens]

Originally Posted by ShotgunEd

Blah *****in' blah.

Even if people don't celebrate Christmas I don't see the offense in saying "I hope you have a pleasant time over the next few weeks, a period of time a lot of people call Christmas".

Mind you, I hate "Happy Christmas", it just feels wrong to me.

As for the America/Canada thing, here we call people from the US "stupid" and people from Canada "Canadians"

remind me to buy you a drink if I am ever out your way. Funny thing is Canadians call Canadians, Canadian and Americans stupid, even our government publicly does that

[Eriamjh]

Merry Chrisma-Hana-Kwanza-kah!

[Weyland-Yutani]

I'll be sure to show up here at the forums and wish you all a merry Christmas when the time comes.

It is still way too early. People are much more careful with when they say happy New Year for some reason

cheers

W-Y

[Stradlater]

Salty: If a Jewish person is shopping and you wish him a "Merry Christmas," that assumption can be offensive or annoying.

However, I agree that the rebranding of Christmas is ridiculous, especially a certain Honda commercial that's been airing recently in which Holiday carolers are singing that classic hymn, "We Wish You a Happy Holidays" (sung to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas").

If a company really wants to be all inclusive, they should take advantage of other holidays. If Jesus can sell a big screen, why can't a menorah, or whatever the hell Kwanzaadopters symbolize?

[DeathToWindows]

Ok, coming from the other side of the winter-holiday-greetings-thing (I'm Jewish), being wished "Merry Christmas" is meaningless to me as I don't celebrate it (I'll be skiing that day).

However, if I go into one more bloody store playing bloody ****ing christmas carols, I'll just walk out without buying anything out of revulsion. Those get to me.

[Volks]

Best Buy is horrible. Don't work for them. Boycott them.

Saying Merry Christmas to anyone isn't annoying. It is the Christmas season here. If you are black or jewish, too bad. And if you are upset, there's something wrong with you, so you might wanna go live in another country where there is no Christmans.

[Stradlater]

Originally Posted by Volks

...

44 posts and most not worth anyone's time. Everyone: I hope you have this guy ignored.

[Kevin]

Didn't we have this conversation once this week?

Saltydrama strikes again.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Stradlater

Salty: If a Jewish person is shopping and you wish him a "Merry Christmas," that assumption can be offensive or annoying.

However, I agree that the rebranding of Christmas is ridiculous, especially a certain Honda commercial that's been airing recently in which Holiday carolers are singing that classic hymn, "We Wish You a Happy Holidays" (sung to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas").

If a company really wants to be all inclusive, they should take advantage of other holidays. If Jesus can sell a big screen, why can't a menorah, or whatever the hell Kwanzaadopters symbolize?

What if that person is a messianic Jew you insensitive clod! If only I was a Jewish Christian I could totally sue you! Oh wait... YOU CAN'T BLOODY SUE ANYONE SIMPLY FOR BEING INSANELY SENSITIVE!

I wonder if I could get on the news for being fired by Best Buy for wishing someone a merry Christmas . Anyway seriously though the whole happy holidays is just another way that secular society is trying to force their way down the throats of people of various religious traditions. If we shove them all together into one unidentifiable blob that if you try and find out what it's about you'll offend someone, maybe everyone will just become secular humanists.
It was funny me and my mom and a safeway cashier were talking about this and the cashier was like "Well I've been saying Merry Christmas here for ten years and I'll say it for another ten!"
To which another customer said, "Oh but you have to be careful to not offend people!"
My mom in turn replied, "What? No I don't."
She beat me to the punch . I swear it annoys me that people assume for some reason that the noisy annoying people should really have that much control over your life.

[BlueSky]

Hey Salty, Happy Hannukah.

[strictlyplaid]

Originally Posted by Salty

It was funny me and my mom and a safeway cashier were talking about this and the cashier was like "Well I've been saying Merry Christmas here for ten years and I'll say it for another ten!"
To which another customer said, "Oh but you have to be careful to not offend people!"
My mom in turn replied, "What? No I don't."

Nice to know that your mom's a jerk. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Here's hoping you find yourself in an Islamic country for a while and experience some of your own treatment. (Oh, but let me guess--that's totally different, because see, we have the RIGHT religion! And in those countries, they cut your head off for being Christian! )

Three words: USE YOUR BLOG.