Happy holidays vs. Merry Christmas?

But isn't the issue here -- not that someone is trying to be inclusive in her greeting -- but that she has been accused of being "too American"?
Like all those people who bristle at "Have a nice day" because its "American"
I knew a very intelligent woman who once told me she hated the word "goodie" as in treat -- too American I'm sure.

Argh, thank you! That also bugged me. We could have an argument as to which is preferrable: happy holidays, happy/merry christmas, I wish you an enjoyable period of time between december and middle of January or what have you but i think there's probably no argument that a polite response to any of those is "Thank you, and you as well." and not "How American!"

I'm Jewish but being wished a happy Christmas would not make me bat an eye (though I respect that other people might not feel the same) but being upbraided when I wish someone a happy holidays would annoy me a great deal.

I guess we just all have different ideas of what being "upbraided" entails.

If someone says to me, "Hey, you have brown hair," I wouldn't say I'm being ACCUSED of it. It's just a fact. The same way using an American expression is .... well, American.

I'm not directing this at the OP (who seems to have taken in all in the best way possible), but it seems to me that sometimes people actual seek out things they can label anti-American. Sometimes a comment is just a comment. It doesn't mean you're being attacked.

I accidentally sent out Christmas cards to two non-Christian UKYers last year because I didn't see they don't celebrate Christmas until after I had mailed them (It was the holiday card exchange, and I thought of it as a Christmas card exchange.). I did apologize, though.

I do try to mention the specific holiday if I know what the person celebrates. I know some people are offended by someone assuming they celebrate a holiday, so I say "Happy Holidays" if I don't know. Although, after working at my school and meeting so many people who don't celebrate any holidays, it makes me weary of saying that! I over-think things 

I accidentally sent out Christmas cards to two non-Christian UKYers last year because I didn't see they don't celebrate Christmas until after I had mailed them (It was the holiday card exchange, and I thought of it as a Christmas card exchange.)

I sent out Christmas cards to everyone in the exchange this year because it's all I could find at the card shop.  I did write "Happy holidays" on the inside, PC American that I am.    Hope no one is offended.  I only celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas, and I probably wouldn't even do that if it weren't for my family and in-laws.  I'm not a Christian (I celebrate the solstice for my actual religion), but I promise I won't mind at all if you sent me a Christmas card.  Or a Hanukkah card, Festivus card, or anything else for that matter.  I find it difficult to get angry at well-wishes, and if I minded what kind of holiday cards I received I would've said so in the thread. 

I think whether "How American" qualifies as upbraiding is probably all in the tone and delivery.  A derisive snort and an angry tone is quite different from a smile and a neutral tone.

Just to add my two cents, I never thought she was being rude, just making a comment about a rather "American" saying I had used.  She did say that it bugged her when people said it but no malice was directed toward me that I could detect.  I just asked the question because I was curious  

I tend to say 'Happy holidays' to people I think celebrate Christmas, I say "Eid Mubarak" to Muslims because I grew up with many friends who were Muslim.  That being said, I probably wished them a "Happy holiday" as well because they tended to have trees and celebrate in a small way! 

I was mainly curious at other peoples opinions and as some said, I am American so I should say American things!   

I think I will continue to say "Happy Holidays" to those whose religion (or lack of) I am unsure of. 

I don't mind if people say "Merry Christmas" to me (I grew up Jewish) because I know they have no idea I am Jewish and they have only the best of intentions.  I do celebrate it anyway because my husband's family does.  Besides, Jesus was a nice Jewish boy anyway, so what's not to celebrate? 

Anyway, for what it's worth, my true spirituality is more in keeping with celebrating the Solstice.

The phrase "Happy holidays" has been around for a LONG time.  The first greeting cards bearing that phrase were printed in the Victorian era. 

And yet Bill O'Reilly on Fox is having a backlash against it and insisting on Happy Christmas as though it's a new thing. It really does get his back up as well - I'm sure one of these days he'll have a heart attack on air whilst ranting about it!

Besides, Jesus was a nice Jewish boy anyway, so what's not to celebrate? 

LOL!  Andee, I somehow just got a vision of the stereotypical Jewish mother you see in movies saying "That Jesus is a nice Jewish boy, why don't you go to the dance with him?"  LOL!!!!!   

LOL!  Andee, I somehow just got a vision of the stereotypical Jewish mother you see in movies saying "That Jesus is a nice Jewish boy, why don't you go to the dance with him?"  LOL!!!!!   

That put a smile on my face!

I just think 'Happy Holidays' sounds so bland.  Also I guess with an Established Church the state of the UK is celebrating Christmas although it is polite to acknowledge that there are people of other religions (or no religion) celebrating events at around the same time and make an effort to get it right if you are aware.  Otherwise, as others have said, Happy Christmas is just a greeting and offer of good wishes - and I wouldn't be offended if someone offered me Happy Hannuka (despite not being Jewish) as the sentiment is what matters.

About being so American - it is and the only criticism I would have is that if slowly but surely Americanisms take over we lose something special and peculiarly British.  Surely we don't want a world where there is no variety and no local customs etc?  That's what makes it interesting and fun.

It may be too late!

Jim, I think you might be right!!

Personally, I prefer the good old-fashioned "Merry Christmas" if that's your holiday.  Why shouldn't you wish someone else well on that day (after all they probably benefit from getting the day off from work).  I might wish someone I knew to be Jewish "Happy Holidays" or even "Happy Chanukkah".  If, say, a Chinese friend wished me <Happy Chinese New Year whatever they say> I would not be offended in any way or say to them "Oh, you're so Chinese"  I think we should have the right to wish others well in whatever way suits us without having to defend our point of view.
The OP says she took the comment as well meant and that is good.  But I have heard and seen in print many comments (which I take to be criticisms) of Americanisms which, as an American, I find tedious at best.  Sure, no one likes to think their language/country is being overrun by "foreign" expressions but does that mean the British should go back to speaking some ancient form of Celtic?  Throughout history the language has taken on many foreign words and that makes the mix we have today.

I wasn't suggesting that change doesn't happen (or shouldn't happen) just that with modern communications links and the power of American culture (via films, goods etc) we could end up with some sort of boring monoculture.  I love that American's say 'Happy Holidays' because it is American but I'd like to think that we can keep variety alive.

I wasn't suggesting that change doesn't happen (or shouldn't happen) just that with modern communications links and the power of American culture (via films, goods etc) we could end up with some sort of boring monoculture. 

Yes, the absorption is going to come about faster with modern technology.  But it works both ways.  What's boring monoculture to you may seem like the "good old days" to future generations!