Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Memory lane - long

I'm on vacation this week... not "going to the beach" vacation, just taking 3 days vacation to get the whole week off - I do it every year.
So, what do I find on here this week? A lot of work related posts. Bonuses, years service, etc.

This got me to thinking how things have changed over the years.

When I started working for my current employer, 34 years ago, the holidays were special. The boss would buy some little gift for everyone in his department. We, in turn, would pitch in to buy the boss something. It was the holidays after all, or Christmas, as it was known back then.
There were decorations in every part of the building, Christmas trees with lights, garlands hanging around windows and doorways, and even the occasional sprig of mistletoe, that the women would avoid or camp out under, depending on their personal agenda... People brought food to work - Christmas cookies, candy, trays of cold cuts, loaves of bread, ethnic dishes, even fruitcake.
There was a feeling that permeated the place, that regardless of your position it was the holidays, peace on earth and goodwill towards man. There was a lot of handshaking and sharing of bottles of good cheer that were discretely kept in desk drawers and dispensed in paper cups.. no one got smashed or unruly, there was a lot of common sense and decorum available at the time. We would have a Christmas party at a local firehall and eat and drink and be merry. You would get to know the people you worked with, who couldn't sing, who was actually very humorous outside of work, who was just as you imagined they were... but hey, it was Christmas..
We would visit each other's homes and were welcomed regardless of social standing. It was Christmas, after all. Peace on earth, goodwill towards man.

As the years went by, one by one, each of these things has been removed. The lawyers and the bean counters and the PC police have stripped away the humanity from the workplace.

Now we have no opportunity to just relax and get to know one another as people, just people. The "Holiday Party" begins at 5:30 and ends promptly at 7:30. There is no alcohol allowed on the premises. Any displays of affection may be construed as sexual harassment. Any employee who is scheduled to work and does not attend the Holiday Party is expected to report to work for those hours. The computer network will be available Nov. 22 and 23, and on Dec. 24...
It will not be available on Dec. 25 due to the holiday but will be back up at 7:00 am on Dec 26.....

We don't shake hands anymore either.

Peace on earth, and goodwill towards man.

And how sad it has become. I for one miss Christmas and wish they would bring it back

Couldn't have said it better myself...."Deon" Point on and very desciptive of the way things are today compared to only a few years past..... Being a cast in stone diehard tradionalist.... Please allow me to shake your hand in friendship and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving, A Merry Christmas, And a Great New Year!

I hear you Deon and see some of that "in this changing world".

Being simple-minded country people we still hold on to the traditional stuff. Over at the courthouse we have a Christmas potluck, with raffle prizes, food, goodwill, food, laughs, did I mention food? The county hired a human resources attorney 8-9 nine years ago, although well-meaning he was in over his head and a few of us ran him off figuring we could handle our problems ourselves, and all he did was make people mad at each other anyway. Our office moved to a different building last May, but we have a Christmas decoration day planned and another potluck.

Everyone has their faults and shortcomings, but it seems most people look beyond them and maybe that's a part of what the season's all about .

Now if I could just get people to stop asking "if I still like my harley"

jh

We here can't complain.
Christmas is still Christmas (no PC) - Christmas Bonuses are mandated by law (we get a full month's salary extra at Xmas, half a month's salary at Easter and half a month's salary during annual leave - total 14 salaries per year).
Oh and alcohol flows freely during Xmas parties at work.
Thankfully, nothing has changed.

I think it is time for me to move to Greece

If I hear one more person say "Happy Holidays" I'll shove a Christmas tree down their gob. It's CHRISTMAS.

The social climate within the workplace has indeed become the pits – The result of slimy lawyers, sneaky HR people, and perhaps mostly - the creepy assgrabbers and racists among us…
As bad as it must seem to many of you, rest assured that there still remains a spark of humanity within the holidays. I agree with all the comments made, but, have seen and experienced it from the 'other side'. I was once the guy at work who had little time for his workmates, didn't socialize much, didn't do much gifting, sharing, singing, or even mistletoe lurking. That was my mistake and I've come to regret it. Now, with the recent and ongoing demise of my long, long, long marriage and the onset of the holiday season and all the depressing crap that goes with being the destroyer of ‘all things family’ in the eyes of those with whom I had always been closest - It is those that I had previously ignored in the workplace that have already gone out of their way to invite and include me in their lives and holiday activities. I feel somewhat like the awakened Scrooge this year and am forever grateful to each and every one of them.
Yes, Deon. There is still a Santa Claus. He resides within us all – Sadly, sometimes he resides quite deeply within, but he is there none the less.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and may each and every one of you have a joyous Christmas.

Peace out dawgs.

your lucky you don't have kid's in school any more....you should see what they have done to the holidays there
can't put trees up in the room can't pass out candy no xmass cards it has really become sad

Ed

Merry Christmas and May God Bless us all. (I can say that cant I)

Screw the PC police and all those booger eating ACLU lawyers and those who go to great lengths to take the joy of Christmas from those who still appreciate it as it used to be.

all those extremist atheists who work so hard to get legislation banning prayer in schools and lobby the ACLU to sue people are amongst the key cause for this.

If they dont believe they should accept the fact that the rest of us do and leave well enough alone.

Instead they endeavor to make our society completely free of religion.

Sad indeed.

I miss those days, when holidays were a special time and you got that special feeling. I don't get that feeling anymore. I still enjoy the day with my family (minus 1 sister but thats a whole other story,wish she could get over it for my moms sake) and we have a wonderful time. Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas day. Even the Christmas specials on TV have lost something that I used to look forward to every year. What happened to the cheerful Merry Christmas wishes and no one got offended be they atheist, Jew,Muslum, etc... even if they were of a different religion you got at least a smile and nod and well wish in return.

The ACLU was a good thing at first but has gotten way out of hand. I think there should be prayer in school and Under God in the pledge, that makes no distinction as to whos God it just says Under God same goes for In God We Trust. We Know the God that it was intended to mean but it doesn't actually designate that. Back when I went to school where I lived it started with the Jahovas Witness who refused to say the Pledge but were still required to stand and show respect. To me nothing wrong with that as it is still respected where the problem starts is when things are not respected no matter whos things. I do not try and dictate what they say think or do and they should return the favor. This country should stop catering to the minority and when they complain offer a plane ticket anywhere else in the world they want to go and tell them if they wish to stay then deal with our culture. We are and English speaking country, our country was based on Christian beliefs and a live and let live ideal. So it is high time we start to live and let live and stop trying to take holidays (among other things) away from those who celebrate them or believe in them. They can go believe in what ever they want I don't care and if they were to wish me happy Krishna day or what ever I wouldn't be offended. I would give the nod and smile as I would expect them to do if I wish them Merry Christmas. I think it's time to get rid of afirmative action and curb the ACLU to a certain extent.

Well said, Dave, I second that wish.....

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Hank

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Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried, in my way
To be free....(Leonard Cohen)

Here you go people, buck up and please pass the popcorn.

A Charlie Brown Christmas, together with Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales, will air Tuesday, November 27 on ABC from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific) and again on Monday, December 3, from 8-9 PM.

jh

Isn't it ironic, as the years have gone by, holidays have become less fun and at the same time we celebrate them for longer periods of time. (Care to buy some early x-mas decorations, anyone? They're in the aisle across from the halloween decorations.)

Don't forget bumbles bounce!