Hey PD,
My business (retail) places a few strings of lights and a small tinsel tree on the counter by the cash register. I've frequently needed to halt mid-sentence and change what would have been, "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays." I think this tends to be a carryover from my years as a Christian rather than a subconscious need to conform to what is considered to be the norm for mid-to-late December greetings.
I don't think I've gotten any dirty looks from anyone, rosaried old ladies included, which tells me I'm sure they think I'm actually saying "Merry Christmas" while my mouth forms different words. I'd really enjoy wishing all my patients a Happy Saturnalia, but judging by the responses I've gotten from those Christians whom I've informed of this little tidbit, it'd be somewhat hard on business.
So "Happy Holidays" it is. I wonder if this'd put us on the "naughty list?"
Have a good one.
"My own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we
can suppose. J.B.S Haldane 1892-1964