Dear Abby | Wishings of a blessed day not necessarily religious

[rug]

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012

Dear Abby: Several salespersons recently have ended our transaction by saying, “Have a blessed day.” The last two times it happened, I stopped and asked, “What do you mean by that?” Both of them stammered and didn’t know what to say.

One said, “I’m sort of religious.” I replied that I’m atheist. I don’t think these folks realize what they’re saying. The next time it happens, I plan to respond by asking Zeus to bestow blessings upon them as well.

Why do people feel they have a right to force their religious beliefs on customers? – Annoyed Atheist In Texas

Dear Annoyed Atheist: I seriously doubt they are trying to proselytize. The expression may be regional. Or the person may feel that “blessed” is synonymous with “good,” “happy” or “safe.” If you wish to invoke the blessings of Zeus upon them, feel free to do so. But don’t be surprised if you have a heck of a time getting waited on the next time you visit the establishment.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/10/13/3093326/dear-abby-wishings-of-a-blessed.html

[MineralMan]

1. I can't imagine being upset by being wished well.

Last edited Sat Oct 13, 2012, 11:57 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm always happy if people have good wishes for me, whether or not I believe as they do.

[rug]

2. That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round

(Don't mind me. I'm on a John Prine kick.)

[BlueToTheBone]

4. They don't say, I wish you well...they say

Have a blessed day. What the fuck does that mean? Who's doing the blessing? I find it annoying, too.

[MineralMan]

5. I don't care what they say, really.

If they're wishing me well, I'll wish them well, too. I won't use those words, but I'll say something to them.

[madmom]

3. I don't get it......

she says blessed is no big thing and pretty much tell the lady to ignore it but then says if she invokes the blessings of Zeus, she should expect to be ignored or maybe worse? Why what's the big deal? Maybe someone still believes in the old religions, don't we have that right anymore? If that happened to me I would just laugh it off, much as I do when someone says I'll pray for you or god bless you when I sneeze. Abby screwed up on this one!

[zbdent]

6. heh ... just thought one thing that could get under their skin, and maybe into their brains ...

reply to them that the law doesn't allow their employer to force them to say that ... and walk away as they stammer, trying to convince you that isn't the case.

Might get into their heads ...

[cbayer]

7. This really seems like one of those situations where the best

thing to do is to smile politely and say, "you, too".

If you know the person well enough, you might take the opportunity to explain to them privately why this might offend some people, sub to make a big deal out of something said kindly just makes you look like a jerk.

[rug]

9. When somebody sneezes, instead of saying "God bless you" I quote from Dawkins on the evolutionary

history of bacteria.

Although, by the time I say ""For the first half of geological time our ancestors were bacteria. Most creatures still are bacteria, and each one of our trillions of cells is a colony of bacteria", they've usually walked away.

[Thats my opinion]

8. The origin of "good day, is "May God give you a blessed day"

In a culture saturated with a religious ethos that is a normal thing to say. Who gets their self in a dither because somebody says, "Good day"?

[LeftishBrit]

10. It's not a common expression in the UK, but I'm not bothered by such expressions

It's nice to get good wishes, and I don't think it's proselytizing. After all, 'Goodbye' means 'God be with you' but I don't think people who say goodbye are trying to convert me!