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Another Holiday Etiquette Question

post #1 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:10am
Thread Starter 
What do you think about companies sending out religious oriented holiday cards? Would it be OK to send out to customers? How about to other companies they do business with?

Is it OK to have religious images on the cards? How about sending a religious "flyer" (for lack of a better word) with the card?

And here's one just to get one thinking... Would you feel any different if it weren't religious Christmas cards being sent, but Hanukkah, Yule or another religion?
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post #2 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:11am
I think when doing a mass mailing to clients when you don't know their religion it would be easier to send a simply Happy Holidays card out.
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post #3 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:22am
I voted for the last option. Now that being said, I do think it would be okay if the company itself was affiliated with a religion. For example, I would be okay with a Christian Book Store sending out Christmas cards. But for the most part, I think it's very rude for anyone to just assume that anybody else celebrate the holiday the same way they do.
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post #4 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:26am
I would send a card that says season's greetings
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post #5 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:34am
The Christmas cards I get from companies usually don't have a religious theme, which I think is smart, because there are some people who would take offense at an overtly Christian card, but have no objection to "Season's Greetings", etc.. Because I order huge quantities of cat food, I usually get pet-themed cards from the suppliers.
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post #6 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:46am
But if you received a Hannukah card, would you really feel that the company is trying to convert you to Judaism? I wouldn't. I would see it as another good will gesture, sending me warm wishes. Not as a marketing tool.

If Christmas cards, Hannukah cards, and Kwanza cards were meant to offend OR to convert the uncoverted, we'd see them all year long. And you'd get more than one from the company! (Remember the calls from the parties encouraging us all to vote? How many of those did you receive? I had at least 4 plus flyers...

Can a card convert anyone? If so, send the missionarys home and donate your money for postage. It's cheaper.

I read this sentiment on a personal blog, and they said it better than I could, "Somewhere along the line we’ve lost all ability to understand and appreciate a good wish unless it’s personalized to our exact specifications." Vinny of insignificant thoughts

Peace!
mrsd
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post #7 of 10
12/7/04 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsd
But if you received a Hannukah card, would you really feel that the company is trying to convert you to Judaism? I wouldn't. I would see it as another good will gesture, sending me warm wishes. Not as a marketing tool.

If Christmas cards, Hannukah cards, and Kwanza cards were meant to offend OR to convert the uncoverted, we'd see them all year long. And you'd get more than one from the company! (Remember the calls from the parties encouraging us all to vote? How many of those did you receive? I had at least 4 plus flyers...

Can a card convert anyone? If so, send the missionarys home and donate your money for postage. It's cheaper.

I read this sentiment on a personal blog, and they said it better than I could, "Somewhere along the line we’ve lost all ability to understand and appreciate a good wish unless it’s personalized to our exact specifications." Vinny of insignificant thoughts

Peace!
mrsd

That is a good way of putting it. I do stick with "Seasons greetings" for everyone though.
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post #8 of 10
12/7/04 at 12:01pm
I usually get a "Have a Kosher Christmas" card from a Jewish friend every year, which I've always found funny. I don't know how she always manages to find one.
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post #9 of 10
12/7/04 at 12:37pm
I also picked the last option. I don't want to hear about any company's religious preferences, because, quite honestly, unless they are sacrificing babies in the basement, I don't care what they want to do with their lives -- and, its not really a company's place to bring such things up. Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, etc. are fine. I won't complain about the religious garbage I get in the mail, but it goes straight in the trash.

As to what was said earlier, I don't think anyone could get converted to a religion by a Christmas card either. But some companies are clearly looking for any and every excuse to bring up God. And it grows a bit tiresome for those of us who don't buy into that lifestyle, especially when it has nothing to do with your relationship to the company.

Just some thoughts from an atheist in the Bible Belt.
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post #10 of 10
12/7/04 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
Now that others have spoken, I'll give my thoughts on it. Although I don't find the imagery of the nativity on cards offensive, there is one company that always sends out very religious cards and a little tract about the real meaning of Christmas being Jesus' birth. I personally think that's rather unprofessional, and yes a bit rude. If it were an individual's card it wouldn't bother me, but it is from and to entire companies. Is everyone who works for that company a Christian? Is everyone who receives that card a Christian? (Well, I can answer that as a no...) I just don't think that religion and business matters should mix to that extent, and holiday/Christmas cards are really as much of a marketing matter for companies as they are sending good wishes.
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