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I work in retail...….not a religious entity. One of our managers has begun saying, after our morning meetings, or even in passing after a short chat, "have a blessed day". I find this offensive, and have decided to start saying b "hail satan" in response. We'll see how this goes.

AzVixen52 7 May 5
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66 comments

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1

It's funny but pointlessly confrontational. They are obviously trying to be nice. So what if they're including their superstition, why would that be offensive? You sound a little "snowflake".

If someone references a religion or belief in some kind of supernatural power, they are not just trying to be nice, they are imposing their belief on you.

As do you.

@AzVixen52, please explain what belief I am trying to impose on you by saying, "Have a great day!"

@Spidey Oh, NOW you are playing nice after your previous comment? Oy vey.

@AzVixen52, you have my opinion, which has not changed, and I asked you a legit question. Not sure what the "playing nice after..." reference means. If you don't understand my comment, I will do my best to exlain, but if you're not interested in having (an adult) conversation, please feel free to move on.

@Spidey No more than I would be if I referenced something scientific in conversation. I agree that there's a way to be an ass about it, but wishing something you believe to be good on someone isn't that. You're being overly sensitive.

I am NOT a snowflake! I am also (myself) very polite when I first let people know I do not like to have people "bless" me when I sneeze, BUT, after I explain that, it IS rude of them to deliberately continue. Some old people forget, so I try to be nice, but when they continue I will admonish them as politely as I can! I will never be socialist and agree with the Austrian economists! I am a student of Frederick Hyat Murry Rothbard and Milton Friedman - VERY much NOT a snowflake!

@JOHNGALT What the hell does Austrian Economy have to do with it? Now you sound like a snowflake and a conspiracy theorist. Unless English isn't your first language and you don't realize that was irrelevant. You're far too easily offended, that's what I mean by snowflake.

4

When Christian's say that to me I simply consider it an attempt to wish me well and let it go. Fundamentalist intolerance from Christians or Aethiest is tiring. Live and let live.

Agree totally. Christian/Atheist. Same coin. People first, doctrine last.

"Fundamentalist intolerance from Christians or Aethiest is tiring." Ok, then what is so wrong with saying "Hail Satan" to them?

@THHA Satan can't exist for atheists . Therefore , you're not acting via your belief system , You're simply trying to be offensive .

Sorry to disappoint you, but I an NOT an atheist, I am an agnostic. Any other assumptions you care to make? Supporting the religio-nazis is not much different than being one of them. These are the folks who support murder all over the world by supporting the war-for-profit lovers in Washington. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

3

That phrase is exceeding condescending

Why condescending?

@Sdusmith, assumption of belief. But, you have a point; arrogant would be more accurate.

@Sdusmith the insinuation that you need them to bless you, or that they can confer “god’s” approval or kindness with a trite phrase

Indeed!

3

You may find yourself ostracised and persona non grata. Maybe wise to let it go. It is your workplace after all where you spend a lot of your time I would suspect. Probably best not to sow seeds of antagonism.

Fuck That . . . . . that is weak. They are doing the antagonizing by their stupid "blessed day". Sometimes getting fired is a blessing . . . . been there, done that . . .

@THHA that depends if you can afford to get fired because of a pedantic personality. The strength is to recognise what is important from what is mere petulance.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

2

A coworker of mine was working a Lyft gig at a large college town. She picked up a group of dark skinned guys talking a foreign language. One of them said Allah Akbar and suddenly she was in a panic that she had a car full of terrorists and was considering calling the cops. I, and several others explained to her it was simply a Muslim greeting much the same as she would say “God bless you” (she is very Christian). Amazing how much things change when someone from a different religious ethnic group does exactly what you do everyday to non believers. It suddenly becomes a thing to fear and makes you feel threatened.

i did not perceive that vixen felt threatened, and i don't think the blessing was alien or frightening to her. is she not allowed to be annoyed?

g

@genessa, it had nothing to do with the threat feeling. It had to do with taking offense at other people trying to be nice in their own way, because it doesn’t fit the parameters of your beliefs. They say their thing, you say yours. Life’s to short for unwarranted fear or unproductive anger (annoyance?). It would be warranted if the manager was requiring the employees to say it to shoppers or each other.

@Barnie2years you are assuming good will on the part of the blesser. i have met many and i can tell which ones meant well and which ones were being "superior." i would not make that assumption and instead rely on the perception of the person who was actually THERE. at any rate, you are trying to tell someone how she feels. i think she knows better than you how she feels.

g

3

turn it around and joke back saying "under his eye"

Is that a reference to something specific?

Ward against evil?

Handmaid's Tale reference. And great response, btw.

1

I think that people who offer such a salutation do so with a positive attitude, and do not realize that to a non-religious person is it somewhat offensive. I do not like it when someone says that to me, but I take it in the spirirt in which it is intended. I might smile, or I might simply ignore it. I try to not let it upset me, and I would certainly not want to engage horns with someone who might have the power to make the job either miserable or disappear!

My style is more direct.

@AzVixen52 - Yes, it is more direct, and you will easily convey your contempt or lack of agreement. That is not a bad thing, but my question is if you really want to add to the workplace discomfort? Is there a human resource department, or a person with whom you might discuss the issue? Can you not find a non-confrontational manner in which to assert your displeasure? Yes, we like to defend our position, or fight back on something to which we take exception, but this is your workplace, and surely you realize that your passive-aggressive attitude might cause you problems beyond expressing your dislike of the statement?

@Rustee Considering she adds to my discomfort, I see nothing wrong with that I do.

1

I would say that's an appropriate response.. if you believe in satan. I prefer less friction in the work place. If they try to make it more personal then bring it ti her superiors attention if you feel you need to respond to her say something innocuous like don't "get run over" ..i prefer humor I guess.

I guess

@F-IM-Forty I could use the time off and unemployment check, but then again, they'd miss my sarcastic ass too much!

3

This should end well. Please keep us updated.

SCal Level 7 May 7, 2019

I'll give you an update: today after a meeting (LP meeting) I spoke to one of the "big dogs" about this situation. I told I was going to say "hail Satan", and she laughed. She also thanked me for the info, and said she'd look into it. I quoted a fellow, intelligent Agnostic member's EEOC information, and she agreed with me. See? Win, win! 😉

@AzVixen52

That leaves yet another chapter. Now we need to know about the drama after she is confronted by mgmt. haha

@AzVixen52 good choice. Your initial plan didn't sound very smart.

0

Yeah....good luck with that......or, you could spit in their face.after thinking it over...that might be too much like an assault

I'm lucky...……...I can walk under ladders.

@AzVixen52 lol...is that a mystical thing? Thats darling

@HankSherman It's from a Joan Armatrading song.

3

I don't have a problem with that unless your manager has been asked by you not to say it since you consider it offensive. I don't think of the word blessed in a religious way...its a feeling of well being to me.

I included my name in this answer, i agree with this answer.

The first time I ever heard that phrase was from a pagan friend of mine. Personally, I don't care for the phrase but I'm not going to bite someone's head off for saying it.

1

I ignore it, or smile and say thank you.

I don't!

@AzVixen52 the point is they have good intentions, and if I want to maintain goodwill with them (and I usually do), I ignore it.

2

You are offended too eaisly. Why would that offend you? You make too much about nothing. The simple thing is to just ignore.No need foe militancy.

alon Level 6 May 5, 2019

Wow, for not knowing me, you assume a lot. And we all know what they say about assumptions...……..

you certainly do know what someone else should feel, or react too. you must be psychic. sometimes the simple thing to do is to roll over and play dead. however, i don't recommend it. maybe there IS a need for what you perceive as militancy. were you there? well, YOU are not the one who has to put up with the unwanted blessing, so it's pretty easy to say what you've said. wait until something upsets you and everyone tells you that you're upset too easily, because it isn't affecting THEM.

g

3

How 'bout responding with "thank you".
I maintain that my life has been blessed, not by any deity, but by life itself. No deity required.

I'm only 118 pounds, so I'm light enough. Hail satan

two things always irritate me. one is being told to lighten up and the other is being told to calm down. they are always said to me when i am being light and calm. but even if i were serious and frantic, i don't see where it would be anyone else's business whether i was or not, nor anyone's business to try to change that, especially imperiously rather than compassionately. i do not see that vixen needs to lighten up at all. she is expressing something that concerns her and telling her to lighten up is the same as blowing off her concern. that's rude.

g

0

It seems the use of "blessed", "blessings", etc., has come into vogue as a warm greeting, and not necessarily that of a religious nature. It is viewed as particularly non-specific to any line of thought and, thus, hoped to be easily received without offense.
Always best to assume good intent unless, as others have offered, you would not be inconvenienced by losing your job for snapping back with a verbally aggressive retort specific to certain beliefs. Oh, yes, that would be accepted by H.R..

I never assume

actually i have heard this a lot but ONLY from people who are religious and assume that everyone else is too. it has not to my observation or other knowledge taken on a nonreligious meaning. i don't find it warm. i find it at best mindless and at worst smarmy, an expression of superiority, oh my, you might or might not be talking to a heather but you're ABOVE all that and will bless them. feh.

g

1

Best wishes on your new job search.

skado Level 9 May 5, 2019

Right! I wouldn't bother correcting your manager. Just beat him to the punch,,, with many blessings!

Not searching at the moment.

2

No the perfect solution, but you might try Blessed Be. Witches use it as a friendly parting comment. So, if the manager turns red, green, or purple you’ll know they are onto the saying. If they don’t turn some strange color, then you’ll get confirmation that that are clueless.

CS60 Level 7 May 5, 2019

I like my response

@AzVixen52 Your response may be more appropriate. I don’t know the entire situation - whether or not you’ve had a discussion with the manager, whether or not the manager is doing this to harass you, is just a dumb twit, or just wants you to have a great day and is not conveying that in an appropriate way.

1

I wish everyone who commented or even viewed your post would check this.
EEOC Compliance Manual Section 12 - Religious Discrimination
12 - III HARASSMENT
[eeoc.gov]

Thank you!!

Excellent examples...

1

I have to agree with a lot of other people commenting: not a good idea. Just let it go, it is about as inconsequential as something can possibly get.

Not my style

@AzVixen52 Good luck, then.

2

I've had the people who work at Five Guys say that to me. I just blow it off. Sometimes I wonder if the expression means to go fuck myself.

I couldn't blow it off. But now I know why I never eat at 5 guys!

@AzVixen52 but the burgers are really good, though

0

Ask him if he's seen The Handmaid's Tale.

It's a "her".

@AzVixen52 even more appropriate, then. Maybe buy her a copy of the book.

3

good idea - piss off the guy that decides how your day will go - and probably what you get paid. Ignore the man or respond as Dave Allen (irish comedian) - may your god go with you - and one day it will

What makes you think it's a man?

@AzVixen52 just that I am an ignorant sexist homophobic chauvenist - I'm not really, making assumptions again - suppose it is unthinkingly playing the odds - sorry for the offense you may have felt

4

One of the meanings is for blessings = good fortune, so why not just take it as another version of: Have a nice day?

Good idea. Say Good fortune back to her.

Not my style

1

I agree with Vivian but you could also reply with "so be it." This will go into Wiccan ideas but is also a literal translation of "amen."

Not my style. I'm always direct.

@AzVixen52 EXCELLENT! If I overheard that I would approach you and ask if you have a husband or boyfriend!

3

One might as well be offended with the ubiquitous “Bless you” after you sneeze. Personally, I prefer “gezundeit,” as I am of German ancestry, and also because as a kid, I thought the word ‘gezundeit’ was more fun to say than the banal ‘bless you.’ I also think it’s better to save your offense for commonly heard comments which are far more offensive, such as, “someday you’ll see the light,” or “I’ll pray for you” in response to someone saying they are atheist.

I don't agree, but thanks.

Yes I DO inform people who just say it reflexively without aggressive intent. I say "No Thanks the first time" after that I tell them "Thanks, but I do not appreciate mythical incantations and they are not even consistent with your religion!, Please do NOT say that when I sneeze unless you intend to harrass me about being atheist which I am" IF they say it after that (with sensible exceptions) I say "FUCK OFF!"

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