Holidays • Santa
arrives at the Marketplace in Long
Beach with a “Ho, ho, ho, Merry
Christmas.” Cal State Long
Beach students vary in their opinions
on the politically correct greeting
for this time of year. Tracey Roman
/ Online Forty-Niner
Politically correct end of December greetings
By Karla Casillas
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Merry Christmas…or is it Happy Holidays?
December is here and the season of Christmas trees, a jolly Santa Claus, Menorahs,
and Kwanzaa has arrived. With many traditions being celebrated this month and
in January, students have a choice between wishing others a “Merry Christmas” or
a “Happy Holidays.”
In a blog posted Dec. 21, 2004 on freerepublic.com, Derek Strahan wrote, “I
understand that there are several different holidays…so in order to avoid
offending anyone by saying…Merry Christmas, most people will end up hearing
Happy Holidays.”
Students at Cal State Long Beach are aware of the politically correct issue and
wish people a good holiday depending on what they know or how they were raised.
Erika Aboites, a fashion merchandising major, says Happy Holidays.
“
I have to say it at work because of etiquette, so I’m used to it,” she
said.
Other students say both, depending on the situation.
“
I say both. If I know they celebrate Christmas, I say Merry Christmas. If I don’t
know, I say Happy Holidays,” said Chris Lind, a hospitality major.
Sam Romero, a psychology major, says Merry Christmas because he’s used
to it.
“
[But] if they say Happy Holidays first, I say it back,” Romero said.
Then there are those students who just say Merry Christmas.
“
I say Merry Christmas because it’s Christmas,” said Katiana Payan,
a liberal studies major.
Sabrina Soto, a liberal studies major, and Judith Fernandez, undeclared, say
Merry Christmas because it’s the most common thing to say.
“
I hardly hear anyone say Happy Holidays,” said Fernandez.
Matt Foster, a sociology major, says Merry Christmas because that is how he was
raised. Besides, he said, “I don’t
worry about being politically correct.”
Gabriel Santiago, sociology major, says Merry Christmas too.
“
Happy Holidays is too vague.”
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