Christmas at work
I was just reading a few interesting posts by Penelope Trunk of Brazen Careerist.
She is a very gifted writer who posts interesting articles about work and life.
Near this time of the year, every year, she posts a little rant about Christmas holidays and work.
I happen to agree with her when she says:
Given the nothingness of Christmas to most Jews, it is absurd how much Christmas cheer that Jews partake in just to fit in at the office.
Vendors send Christmas cards, co-workers say “Happy Holidays,” clients expect Christmas gifts. Jews partake in all these moments because the best way to succeed at work is to fit in. The bottom line is that Jews are forced to be what they are not in order to fit in, and that is never good when you’re trying to promote the diverse expression of ideas.
I am not Jewish, but you can substitute any other religion its place with the same effect.
It is true that people of religions other than Christianity feel outcast in the workplace during this time of the year. We receive gifts and cards reading anything from “Merry Christmas” to “Happy holidays” – both of which are generally un-inclusive for us, and we grin and bear it.
This year, I received small gifts and cards from my coworkers and even though the gesture was plesant and it created some kinship, I felt inclined to purchase something for them in return.
I ended up giving everyone a small gift, but I delivered them un-wrapped and without a “Happy Holidays” card, because I wanted them to be accepted as tokens of reciprocity and generosity instead of as “Christmas gifts”.
It was not a great feeling having done that because it was almost as if I had been thrown in a melting pot. I felt that being who I am, by not celebrating Christmas, would have alienated me and interfered with my career.
Another negative aspect of Christmas at work is that all employees have paid holidays during Christmas, but have to take a vacation day to celebrate our own religious holidays. Sounds a little unfair doesn’t it?
A good work-around and more indepth coverage of this issue is covered in Penelope’s articles.
Take a read through her three articles about Christmas at work here:
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/12/24/my-annual-rant-about-christmas-at-work/
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/12/03/five-things-people-say-about-christmas-that-drive-me-nuts/
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/14/christmas-at-the-office-is-bad-for-diversity-2/
P.S. only constructive criticism as comments please, I have read all the comments on Penelope’s blog and since most of them are not friendly, so you can be certain that I have heard it all.
