What to say if…

[thetwitchyone]

I used the “…” in the title because I wanted to leave the idea open and not just strictly for the two examples below.

1. You’re talking to someone in a different time zone in which they’re either a day ahead or behind. For greetings who says what? For birthdays, holidays, and other occasions when do you address it?  For example, I have a friend who’s either 12 or 13 hour ahead of me. As far as greetings, we’ve done both: our time and the other’s. To be more clear, if it’s her morning and my night and we’re ending the call one of us would say “good night” and the other “good morning”. Who should be saying what? Likewise, for special days, do you address them your time or their time?

2. Speaking of holidays, how should they be addressed? I for one am not a fan of “Happy Holidays”. I’m Christian and even if I wasn’t I celebrate Christmas. So, I can’t say “Merry Christmas” but other holidays can be addressed? Why can’t I say “Merry Christmas” and the other person respond with whatever they celebrate? Is that so hard? In fact that does the same as “Happy Holidays” BUT people might get offended in the process. In fact, it might actually be MORE offensive to just go with “Happy Holidays” because now people’s beliefs are being “devalued”. Or I could be totally off base here.

I would really love to here other's thoughts, especially on #2!

[loulizlee]

I always say Merry Christmas to anyone I see at that time of year.  They can answer in any way they want, but I have yet to have anyone object.  If fact, some people have told me they were glad I said that as a greeting.  As far as a greeting to someone in another time zone, I would just say "Hello."

[msmoneybags48]

I try to make every birthday that I know of, but when it comes to the birthday that is a day or two ahead of me, I always say, "Happy belated birthday".  It lets you know you were sorry to miss it.

On holidays, I have heard some people say "Happy Hanukah" or something similar.  I always say "Merry Christmas".

[lvstephanie]

For your first question. I believe that it is proper to address the person with their own time zone. When you say "Good Morning" you are greeting the other person and wishing that they have a good morning -- you are not stating that you are having a good morning. This would also carry over to special days for them; you'd say "Happy Birthday" when the other person has their birthday in their time zone regardless of whether that day may be ahead or behind your own time.

And as I think about this, a similar rule could probably be applied to greeting someone for the holidays too. If you know the person is Christian (or if they have already wished you a merry Christmas, are wearing Christmas clothing, etc.) then you're safe to respond with a Christmas greeting, but if you are unsure what their beliefs are, then the PC "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" is probably better. It probably also depends on the situation on how "safe" you want to be.... For example a customer in a store doesn't really have to worry about offending a worker by the greeting they use (for if the worst happened, the customer can just find a different clerk to help them), but the sale's clerk would have to worry more about offending a customer and having them walk out without purchasing anything. Thus I could see a store instituting a policy that you should say something PC unless you know differently about that particular customer.

[JediJohnnie]

Well,you could just say "Good day" or something non time specific.


I always say "Merry Christmas",no one ever seemed offended by it.(Thankfully I've never ran into Falcon9  )

On rare occasions someone might say "Thanks,but I'm Jewish." Then,I'll say "Happy Hanukkah" if the holiday is still close.Or "I hope you had a Happy Hanukkah" if I know the holiday already passed.

[alina6]

I usually say "good morning/good afternoon, depending on where you are sitting at the moment."

[sarabtrayior]

I don't have this issue thank goodness, however, I think I would just say Happy Day or something like that...

[paints]

To my friends in other time zones, usually we both just say hello.
For the second question, it doesn't matter. One is the same as the other.

[stretch1967]

It depends on the holiday etc. Most people will correct you on their beliefs etc.

[mh874892]

1. I would say birthdays should be addressed in the timezone of whose birthday it is. Holidays that apply to both people should be addressed both times. I have a friend in Germany, so we call/text at midnight here and at midnight in Germany. It's fun to do it for both parties.

2. Don't get me started on the Merry Christmas thing. I am so sick of having to be "politically correct" and "open-minded". I grew up saying Merry Christmas and I will continue to do so. I don't feel like that's forcing my Christianity on anybody. I have to hear about Hanukkah even though I don't partake in that holiday and it doesn't hurt my feelings.

[ancmetro]

    I usually say: "Happy Holidays!" because it covers many religions.

[sak4kat]

I've never run into this before.  At most there is only and hour between those I keep in touch with. 

I suppose I would say Good night and Good day to your.  Or vice versa.

I don't understand what being a Christian has to do with saying Merry Christmas.  I'm a Christian and I say Merry Christmas.  I've never hesitated.  Isn't it a Merry occasion to celebrate the birth of Christ?