Happy Whatever
Despite this my office persona is clearly Jewish and some of my patients have a hard time figuring what to say to me in these politically correct times.
There are several predictable patterns.
Covering all their bases some say, "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah. and Happy Kwanza."
Those unsure of my affiliation say but knowing I am Jewish say, "Happy Hanukah."
Some with a hesitating sense of insecurity born of political correctness say, "Happy (long pause) Holidays."
To those who are unsure and seemingly uncomfortable with how I deal with the holidays I usually explain, "We are going to have a quiet Christmas and will light the Hanukah candles but don¹t celebrate other than that." For those who ask, very few, I mention that we buy Hanukah candles at The Pottery Barn for ten dollars. My wife thinks the colorful but irregular boxes from Israel you buy at the synagogue are tacky. I have acquiesced to her aesthetic.
Furthermore, the music around the December holidays takes its toll on me. The Nutcracker Suite has been anathema to me for years for several reasons. Radio stations start playing it earlier and earlier in the year as if to get ready for the holiday season months ahead. One year it got so annoying that I offered a pledge to my local NPR station if they would promise not to play it; they took my money and continued to play it.
If given my druthers I would have the Faure Requiem playing 24/7 throughout December.
Then there are the ever present Christmas carols and songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I turn the radio off as soon as I hear them. They make me want to shop when I don¹t want to.
Christmas has become unwound and is grossly misconstrued in these difficult times. My perspective on giving has to do with true friendship and not obligation. We should give only when the spirit and time moves us: the right thing for the right person whenever.
Meanwhile I resist the coercive pressure of all aspects of the holiday season. My office radio is silent; I await the next patient¹s confusion about my spirituality or lack of it; and I preach my gospel of avoidance of
conspicuous consumption at every opportunity.
Those unsure of my affiliation say but knowing I am Jewish say, "Happy Hanukah."
Some with a hesitating sense of insecurity born of political correctness say, "Happy (long pause) Holidays."
To those who are unsure and seemingly uncomfortable with how I deal with the holidays I usually explain, "We are going to have a quiet Christmas and will light the Hanukah candles but don¹t celebrate other than that." For those who ask, very few, I mention that we buy Hanukah candles at The Pottery Barn for ten dollars. My wife thinks the colorful but irregular boxes from Israel you buy at the synagogue are tacky. I have acquiesced to her aesthetic.
Furthermore, the music around the December holidays takes its toll on me. The Nutcracker Suite has been anathema to me for years for several reasons. Radio stations start playing it earlier and earlier in the year as if to get ready for the holiday season months ahead. One year it got so annoying that I offered a pledge to my local NPR station if they would promise not to play it; they took my money and continued to play it.
If given my druthers I would have the Faure Requiem playing 24/7 throughout December.
Then there are the ever present Christmas carols and songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I turn the radio off as soon as I hear them. They make me want to shop when I don¹t want to.
Christmas has become unwound and is grossly misconstrued in these difficult times. My perspective on giving has to do with true friendship and not obligation. We should give only when the spirit and time moves us: the right thing for the right person whenever.
Meanwhile I resist the coercive pressure of all aspects of the holiday season. My office radio is silent; I await the next patient¹s confusion about my spirituality or lack of it; and I preach my gospel of avoidance of
conspicuous consumption at every opportunity.
A few years ago we rented an apartment on the Seine between Christmas and New Years. No commercial insanity (the French have a different perspective on Noel it seemed), no Nutcracker, and no Rudolph.
Bless us all.
