In California you are most likely to run across someone who will yell HATE SPEECH. Years ago when I first started my Merry Christmas campaign, I said it to the receptionist at the veterinarian's office. She got all flustered and said nothing because the rule was to not create offense by saying anything. She followed me out the back door to the parking lot and said "Merry Christmas to you too. We're not supposed to say that on the job, I'd be fired if I did."
So now I say it to everyone, all the time.
Oh, bull. I don't believe that dumb story either of someone following you to the parking lot to say Merry Christmas. You sure can shovel it.
Believe what you will. Merry Christmas is banned in Congress . Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GAP have all prohibited their employees from saying Merry Christmas. Those are just major retailers. Small, independent businesses aren't even counted.
It's such a sad commentary on what we are becoming.