Christmas Badges how I wish I had them .

Im sorry to say that supermarkets have a script that they are to say to customers, it’s just as boring for them as it is for us, if only they would instruct staff just to say good morning, good afternoon and thanks. That’s all we need, personally it’s the music on continuous play and Christmas week it’s the false bonhomie with the staff all dressed up that ticks me off. Having said all that I like and enjoy Christmas.,

Maremia

But even tbe Grinch came to like Christmas . If the book tells the true story. 🎄

Of course it's true.
😁

Just bit of small talk. I’ve done my shopping, as I spread out the cost over a few months. I try to make it special for the grandchildren

I hate it too Floradora9 - I have lots of family and lead a happy life - but I find Christmas the most lonely and isolating of times - it doesn't matter what I'm doing or who I'm with - I find it miserable.
My response to the inevitable "are you ready" question, like others here is just to say "no" or if I feel really disruptive I say - but surely that's something to do at the end of December?
All that pressure - I wish people would calm down about it all......

Floradora9

What a depressing comment.

Christmas 🎄 can be exactly what you want it do be. Quiet and solitary if you like, or joyous and social.

You say you want a badge saying 'No, I'm not looking forward to Christmas' and then that people should 'think about the true meaning of Christmas'. But you don't seem to be doing so.

Christmas is a time of celebration, of joy, of hope, of thanks, of love.

Lighten up, join in, smile.
.

Saturnalia, for the Romans.

But even tbe Grinch came to like Christmas . If the book tells the true story. 🎄

The true meaning of Christmas? That's a midwinter party to break up the monotony of the dark and cold.

I am with you Floradora9! yes, just chit chat, but.. so very painful.. November 1st today, and Christmas stuff in the shops a couple of weeks (or more) back, into October,, that does not help,, thanks for sharing this with us/me! Floradora,, we are not alone in waiting for it to be over... butthen wishing our lives away?

How about this one?

Seabear -
"People open their mouths and nonsense comes out. Not an original thought in their heads."
Original thought (an idea that not one of the billions of people on earth or the billions that came before has ever had) is extremely rare. Sometimes if someone asks "Alright?" with a smile I could be thinking "I woke at 3am with a feeling of existential angst, wondering if religion might truly be the opium of the people." Would I say that? No because I try not to be a pompous ass or a misanthrope. I don't need to go around proving that I've got a few brain cells - so does everyone else. They are just trying to get through the day with a few social niceties. No harm done. My answer is "yeah, you?"

Make your own badge?

I just say “no, but on schedule”. This normally gets a smile - it’s not difficult and no offence given or taken.

Floradora you need one of these, available online:

You can google to find several firms who custom-make badges, quite cheaply,

keepcalmandcavachon

Must get tedious for shop staff to , having to ask this over and over {grin].

Even my 'grin' was fake

Must get tedious for shop staff to , having to ask this over and over {grin].

Yes, it’s just chit chat. It’s like “Are you going away this year” the n the Summer or “Bit chilly today” in the Autumn.

You only have to smile and make a meaningless comment back.

I’m sure these people mean no harm - it’s usually just general chit chat isn’t it?

Just a simple yes or no would suffice, there’s no need to go into lengthy chats with them. Completely ignoring them would seem rude to me.

I think Christmas is what you make it - you can either go along with all the commercialism or not and choose your own path to follow, be that the religious path or otherwise.

I dislike the over commercialism, which starts way too early in my view, but I refuse to engage with the excesses.

I know that Christmas time is difficult for many people for one reason or another, but people engaging in general chit chat about Christmas can’t possibly know an individuals circumstances, so as I said a simple yes or no would suffice, maybe with a smile included, and leave it at that.

It's pathetic isn't it? People open their mouths and nonsense comes out. Not an original thought in their heads. I just ignore it or say no.

If only people thought about the true meaning of Christmas

If you think about the true meaning, why do you hate it? 🤔
There are ways of celebrating without subscribing to all the commercialisation (which has already started ☹).

Someone did ask me the other day if I'd finished my Christmas shopping!

Now, I do enjoy Christmas but shopping? I haven't even started.

You’re not alone Flora it’s the worst time of the year for me I can’t stand it can’t wait for it to be all over

Floradora9 I think the trouble is others are just making small talk.

It seems you do celebrate Christmas - as you talk about the "real meaning"... so is No I am not looking forward to Christmas actually true?