"Winter Event" - Political Correctness

[james_tigerwoods]

My company has announced its Christmas do, it'll be on the 5th December and it's a regional thing - one for the North, London and Scotland (I think). Anyway, it's been described as a "Winter Event" with no mention of Christmas...

A close friend of mine happens to be quite senior in the company and she's also heading up the Social committee - I questioned her as to whether this was in fact the Christmas do and the email conversation went something like this:

Me: Why is it a “winter event”?
Friend: Because it is suppose to appeal to more people!
Me: So it’s not the Christmas do then?
Friend: Well yes it is the Christmas do! There will be crackers and mulled wine etc
Me: So why not just call it the “Christmas” do then?
Friend: James …. SHUT UP !
Me: I just fail to see the point in calling it something other than the event that it’s celebrating

I happened to be in the London office yesterday and had a bit of a rant about Christmas dos being relabelled as "Winter Events" as it's ridiculous when you can't even refer to your Christmas do when it's a feast/festival that is relevant to the country we're in.

Unfortunately I was sat near someone who has organised the London event and she tore a strip off me saying that the "Winter event" is meant to be inclusive and that not everyone celebrates Christmas.

She went on to say that I was being near-sighted and that in this multi cultural society we (I) should consider other people's views and faiths.

I was a bit stunned by this attack so I responded by saying that in this predominantly Christian country Christmas is an event celebrated by the majority of people and those that are offended by the notion of Christmas are in the wrong place and should accept that it's a "feast" that is and has been celebrated for years.

I went on to say that I have friends with other views and faiths who all get into the spirit of Christmas and enjoy it for the celebration it is.

I got a bit petty when I said "what if I was offended by the notion of Winter", but I was on a roll and a bit narked by this.

I have a point, really - Why is it that we (or corporates) can't refer to a "Christmas do" as such without running the risk of offending someone?

I hope this doesn't fall into the realms of a Racist post and I hope that it doesn't degenerate into that kind of thread as I'm really not trolling - I'm just annoyed at the levels of Political correctness that have leeched into our lives potentially preventing us from doing what we have done historically without offending anyone.

[Bee_Jay]

With you 100%.

As an atheist I find this interesting. Why should it be the Christians that have to rescind their celebrations? I don't hear them renaming Ramadan or Diwali to promote multi-culturalism...

I'm sure in the Middle East they are having committee meeting to rename their religious festivals as we speak - big on multi-culturalism those Saudis...

[BOR]

It isn't Political Correctness. It's two or three people in your company doing something a bit silly, in an attempt to gain a bit of attention.

"I organised the Christmas Party" isn't as headline grabbing(as you have aptly demonstrated).

[mechsympathy]

Bee_Jay said:

I don't hear them renaming Ramadan or Diwali to promote multi-culturalism...

You haven't come across "Muslim Event" or "Hindu Event" then?


ETA: Although given the "Winter Event" name, perhaps Ramadan should be "Ninth Lunar Month Event"?

Either way it's fkin ludicrous.

Edited by mechsympathy on Tuesday 23 September 09:04

[Eric Mc]

Britain isn't really predominatly Chtristian any more. However, many of its native celebrations and cultural activities have strong links to the era when it was. Therefore, they should stay as they are.

Who are they pandering to? Is there a large contingent of people in the firm who would feel excluded by the term "Christmas".
Will they allow staff to give each other Christmas crds this year?

What type of company is this?

Will they be celebrating Chinese New Year or just the "normal" New Year?

[james_tigerwoods]

Eric Mc said:

Britain isn't really predominatly Chtristian any more. However, many of its native celebrations and cultural activities have strong links to the era when it was. Therefore, they should stay as they are.

Who are they pandering to? Is there a large contingent of people in the firm who would feel excluded by the term "Christmas".
Will they allow staff to give each other Christmas crds this year?

What type of company is this?

Will they be celebrating Chinese New Year or just the "normal" New Year?

It's a global IT Outsourcing and consulting firm (amongst other things) with a strong London base, as well as offices dotted around the UK. (I think I may have given away who I work for )

I'm not sure who they are pandering to as everyone I've ranted to has agreed and also questioned the motives of the "Winter Event" as it ultimately will be celebrating Christmas - you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be a Christmas theme to the do thereby undermining the whole point of keeping it "inclusive"

Could they prevent me from giving Christmas cards? If so, I'd do it on principal as I fail to see how they could class that as not being inclusive... Unless they say that by NOT giving cards to EVERYONE that I'm not being inclusive.

Not that I normally give cards to my colleagues anyway - well, only those I class as friends anyway.

[Monki]

Funny thing is that I know loads of muslims, buddhists etc who enjoy the christmas period and enjoy the festivities. Actually, I have not met any who object to it been called "christmas" apart from white academics and council staff.

Funny that

[R4PID]

The amount of Humbugs there are on here, I can't imagine they care.

Christmas - oh it starts too early, too much hassle, not enough time, lost it's meaning, all about the presents, waste of time, too expensive.

Winter Do - Oh my god! They're killing Christmas! How dare they?! The baffoons.

For what it's worth most venue's sell Christmas do's and for everyone I've been to over the last 10 years or so it has most definitely been referred to as a Christmas do. If you think Christmas starts early in the shops, try arranging a works Winter/Christmas do.

[trumpet600]

Tell them you're not going as winter isn't something worth celebrating.

[james_tigerwoods]

Monki said:

Funny thing is that I know loads of muslims, buddhists etc who enjoy the christmas period and enjoy the festivities. Actually, I have not met any who object to it been called "christmas" apart from white academics and council staff.

Funny that

Who is it that has stood up and said "I'm offended by Christmas"? I know of noone that has said this, I know of noone that will stand up and say that "I'm of this faith and I find the notion of Christmas so repugnant that I want no further mention of it".

You're right, it only seems to be "white academics and council staff" that have decided that Christmas must be upsetting to someone.

What's next to be removed from our Calendars?

Valentines day - Offensive to someone who might not get a card
Easter - Offensive to non Christians
Remembrance Sunday - Offensive to the soldier hating crowd
Halloween - Offensive to Christians
New Years day - Offensive to those that don't follow the Gregorian calendar
Fathers day - Offensive to single mothers

I'm on a roll today - I do rather hope that one of my colleagues calls me as I feel the need to vent audibly

[mechsympathy]

trumpet600 said:

Tell them you're not going as winter isn't something worth celebrating.

Or turn up in a druid's robes.

[Don]

More atheists "celebrate" Christmas than Christians. They're all happy to call it "Christmas". FFS.

[StevRS]

Someone in your company needs a bit more work to do or there's a 'cost-cutting' opportunity there for you

[spikeyhead]

The Christians stole the festival from the Pagans.

Now they're whinging that its being stolen from them.

[groomi]

Look forward to finding your P45 tucked inside your 'winter celebration' card...

[jeff m]

So you get an invitation in the mail to a "Winter Event"

I don't even think it qualifies as PC, just very misleading.

Suggest you turn up appropriatly attired, when asked what you would like to drink....Kluwine (sp?) and hand the host your skis for safekeeping.

[Blib]

Is your friend and her colleagues who have organised this event white, middle class, anglo-saxon WASPs perchance?

Have they actually checked with any of the people likely to be 'offended' (sic) that outrage would ensue if the bash was called the firm's Christmas Party?

No, I thought not.

[Zod]

We're a major law firm and we are having Christmas parties as usual.

[james_tigerwoods]

Blib said:

Is your friend and her colleagues who have organised this event white, middle class, anglo-saxon WASPs perchance?

Have they actually checked with any of the people likely to be 'offended' (sic) that outrage would ensue if the bash was called the firm's Christmas Party?

No, I thought not.

Yes she is and no, I don't think she would have

(What's a WASP by the way?)

Forgot to add this:

Winter Event email said:

"The evening will be Snow-themed (elf outfit optional)"

Surely an elf outfit is Christmas themed - perhaps I should question whether that's offensive to short people?

I think I might just go with the ski outfit plan - any other suggestions?

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Tuesday 23 September 09:30

[andy400]

It's a ridiculous situation, that the PC brigade have created without actually finding out if anyone was actually offended/felt excluded by the name Christmas. Utter bks.

I remember a senior Sikh cleric on the radio, being asked about Christmas, saying that whilst it's nothing to do with their faith, they'd never miss the chance for a good party! Quality.