I’m a Writer, What Should I Say?

While I’m relatively sure that I portray myself as a friendly and polite conversationalist, I sometimes find myself stumbling over my words, or screeching to a halt mid-sentence in order to keep from “offending anyone”.  We all know this phenomenon, do we not?  It’s the art of blending natural conversation with the ever shrinking list of “acceptable” things to say.  Good ol’ PC.  Personally, I would understand the intention of someone greeting me if, in a friendly manner they wished me a Happy Hanukkah.  Although I am Christian, I would not take offense to it.  Instead of assuming that the greeter is a member of some Anti-Christian Coalition, I would presume them to be Jewish and happily celebrating an important event in their history.  Is it so painful, really, to respond with a smile and a simple “Thank you” or “Happy Hanukkah to you too”?  I’m thinking that we’ve all just become a bit too thin skinned.  What’s next?  Will we be scoffed at for wishing someone a happy birthday because there’s someone else in the group who isn’t celebrating a birthday that day?   Or will we not be able to compliment our friend’s new curly hairstyle because our straight haired friend might think she’s being left out or discriminated against?  No two of us are the same, so never will there be a cookie-cutter script that will apply to all of us all the time.  And even if we could come up with something, wouldn’t it be boring to hear the same “safe” words from everybody over and over and over.  Maybe we should just relax, be happy with ourselves and be happy for each other, regardless of race, religion, political stance, hair style, choice of clothing, eye color, body art, career choice, etc.  Then perhaps I could be a little more creative as I sit at my computer and write “generic” holiday greetings for my clients in order not to “offend anyone”.