On Clueless Goyim

[taffimai]

Okay, I need some help. My boss sent me a wreath today. With fake snow, and fake pinecones, and little birdhouses on it.

So, I'm torn between the following:

1) Should I be grateful that she (purposely, I checked) got a wreath devoid of Christmas paraphernalia or should I be annoyed that she sent me a wreath for a Chanukah present?

2) Should I be grateful that she got me a Chanukah card, or should I be annoyed that even after I told her that Chanukah is over, she still is hoping that I have a Happy Chanukah?

Sort of bewildered here. What do you think?

Comments

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

Be grateful there's no Christmas stuff. Be annoyed that she didn't listen about Chanukah. Accept that some people are clueless and mean well, and it's that meaning well that will kill you.

And at least she did *think*. That really is worthy of gratitude.

*Grateful my boss is Jewish.*

[natlyn.livejournal.com]

1) I'm afraid I don't get the significance of why a wreath for Chanukah is bad. Many people decorate with wreaths all year round, putting up fall wreaths and spring wreaths, etc. I received a wreath as a housewarming present in May. I do not believe a wreath devoid of any Christmas paraphrenalia has religious significance. Or is it that a wreath has no Jewish significance and a Chanukah present should have such?

2) I do not believe "Sorry I missed Chanukah, but I'm a stupid goyim, so what do you expect" cards exist. Your boss therefore had to make do while letting you know what the gift was for. Or is it a huge faux pas to give late Chanukah presents?

If you are truly offended, then you should tell your boss not to bother next year (if you're still there). If you're just annoyed with the Christian, thank her kindly, but tell her what she did wrong. If you're just pissy, get over yourself and be grateful she thought enough of you to try to do something nice for you.ã

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

1) I think it goes back to the, "Don't tell me that the trees in the mall are nondenominational, because I'm entirely sure that if it wasn't Christmas time there would be no giant fake pine trees" argument. If she wasn't getting all the other managers Christmas wreaths, I have no doubt that she wouldn't have sent this. But I do see your point.

2) I have no problem with the lack of a special belated Chanukah card. But, since I know that she knows that Chanukah is over, I was a little annoyed that her handwritten message read, "Wishing you a special Hanukkah!" It's just a bit thoughtless. How hard would it have been to have said, "Hope your Hanukkah was special!", really?

But I've decided to just chalk this up to her being the "stubbornly clueless goy" not the "purposely offensive goy." So she'll be thanked, but I'm not going to waste my time explaining, given how well she responded to last week's gentle correction.

Re:

[natlyn.livejournal.com]

1) I have to agree with you on the trees; they are not nondenominational.

2) Ahh. It was a handwritten message. Yes, that is annoying.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I'd go with thankful she realizes you celebrate a holiday other than Christmas. It's amazing how many people think that either:

a) Channukah is the Jewish way of celebrating the birth of Jesus
b) Christmas is an American - and not Christian - holiday

But that's just me...

--Nomi :-)