Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays …
Some might say it’s the most wonderful time of the year (and I think I might even have said that very thing in my last blog). Some days I’m not so sure, though—I love the holidays, but am not the biggest fan of the traffic we here in the Washington, D.C., metro area endure for the month of December—as Christmas shoppers crowd the highways right as we’re all headed home from work.
But, in the end, I’m sure it will all be worth it, and I’m looking forward to spending the holidays with my family. I love coming home each day to candles in the windows and a colorful tree—and am even thankful some days that my husband beats me home and has to turn all of this on and I just get to enjoy it.
Earlier this week, though, I stumbled across an article about an auto glass shop in Florence, S.C., that’s decided to take a stand this year and answer its phones “Merry Christmas, Turner Auto Glass.” It’s even running a local television commercial about the stand he’s taken on this, refusing to say the more generic “Happy Holidays” that has become a bit more politically correct in today’s society.
I won’t get into the debate itself here; I do prefer “Merry Christmas,” as I think it’s a bit warmer and more specific, but am I offending people when I say it? I’ll be honest, I’ve never worried too much about this—I’m certainly not saying it to offend anyone, and my motives are kind. Likewise, I’m not offended if people don’t say it back to me or if someone prefers to say “Happy Holidays”—it’s all happy.
But I thought Turner’s advocacy for saying “Merry Christmas” was quite pointed—and, though I don’t think he’s doing it to gain business, I’m sure there are quite a few customers that will remember his business specifically for this and will be giving him a call. I’m sure there are others who might be offended and might stay away. But my gut says the former is the more likely scenario.
We often talk about the ins and the outs of the business—what’s proper, what so-and-so is doing, what’s new—but I personally admit I’m always interested in these small details, and I want to know, do you acknowledge the holidays with customers, either via phone or in person? And, if you do, do you base what you say on personal observations—or your personal feelings about the holidays? Or, is it simply business as usual for you, and are the holidays—whichever ones you celebrate—something for the afterhours?
Please email me your thoughts at pstacey@glass.com. And, of course, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you. Lastly, I’ll leave you with a short, fun video, because no matter how you look at the holidays ahead, who doesn’t like a little Bing Crosby?
