adVENT: What do I hate about Christmas? Nothing - other than people who write Xmas!
It's Christmas, in case you hadn't noticed, and while cheer, joy and goodwill to all men is being spread far and wide, everyone has a little grumble at this time of year as well. The Drum has invited some of those heading up some of the UK's finest media and marketing communications companies to share their pet hates that annoy them in their jobs at this time of year, albeit with tongue firmly in cheek.
Billy Anderson, chief executive of radio station, TeamRock
What do I hate about Christmas - NOTHING ….!
I was asked to vent about what I hate about Christmas, but the truth is, there is nothing I hate about this festive time of year. So let’s take a different tack, as what I really hate, is people who hate Christmas.
As I career through my mid 40’s, I’m starting to look at things a little bit differently, and every now and then I get a moment to step back and look at the world around me. Look at what matters, look at who matters, in short what is really important, and where I stand just now doing what I do, loving what I do, the thing that matters to me is to be happy, and from what I have seen Christmas does just that to most people ,but it seems to rile a vocal minority and I just can’t stand that. Depending on who you are, and there is the first issue that angers me, is that you have to be so politically correct so not to offend anyone by saying that you celebrate Christmas. Each to their own was what I was always taught and by reckoning I’m not hurting anyone and I’m not doing anything illegal, so why should I not be able to celebrate Christmas the way I want to without feeling as if I have to compromise, does it really offend you if I say Merry Christmas to you? What is so wrong that a few words that can be interpreted as to who you are and what you stand for. Really!
My second point is people who write Christmas as “Xmas”, I find it disrespectful and it really hacks me off. It’s so lazy and is indicative of the society we live in today where people short-cut almost all they do and for what, I really don’t get it! The third thing I hate in relation to Christmas is people who feel they are too cool for Christmas, and you know what, I can’t even begin to phrase that any better because you know who you are, and in truth the industry we operate in on many occasions thinks it’s too cool for a whole host of reasons. Define cool? I hate cool people at Christmas!
Look, there is a child in all of us, and try and tell me honestly, that you didn’t enjoy the magic, the hope and belief that made Christmas when we were young? Why can’t some people let others enjoy it! I know it’s been hijacked by some, I know it has a commercial focus for many but I defy anyone that at some point in their life not to have had a moment, at Christmas at some age where it meant something to you. So what if you hate it now, just don’t shout about it, for once in your life be quiet and be all bah humbug in the corner on your own. Let those around you do as they please, and if Christmas is their time, let it be. I’m sick of the nanny state we live in and I’m sick of individuals stopping people enjoying what they want to do. The keyboard influencers have curtailed hope, imagination and have cultivated our attitude to life. Are you really influenced by these faceless, nameless people from different walks of life and from around the world who are bitter and twisted, and who live to look at the glass as half empty?
All I ask is that you enjoy life, and if Christmas is your thing, celebrate it, and if it isn’t just let it be, stop trying to be cool, stop trying to be different and stop trying to tell people why they shouldn’t enjoy it – each to their own and Merry Christmas to you all and that means you all!