The first War on Christmas entry of the year

[sabotabby]

Yesterday, apparently, was the day that they turn on the Christmas carols at the Second Cup. I am not happy about a month of hearing the same bad songs everywhere I go. You know, I understand that there's a certain type of Christian out there who needs to feel special, what with this multiculturalism thing and all of us unsaved types taking over their jobs and mandating gay marriage and lots of abortions. But why the Christmas carols? It works nicely to remind us of our place in the social hierarchy and all that, but these songs are godawful and I can't imagine that Christians like them any more than I do. In fact, I have it on good authority that not every Second Cup cafe in Toronto is owned by Christians.

And the workers; think of the workers. When I worked in retail, there were a few radio stations that we were allowed to listen to, and in some places, a handful of approved CDs. To this day, I am sick of every song that I heard in heavy rotation. It's so much worse when there's one CD that you're allowed to put on. These poor bastards have to work 8- to 10-hour shifts and hear the same 12 songs every day. Even if they liked those songs in the first place, it'll get hellish by mid-December.

So if it's not to make the owners of stores happy, and it pisses off the staff, why does every food and retail establishment insist on playing Christmas carols for a month or so? Does anyone out there like these songs enough to want to hear them everywhere they go?

[Poll #880254]

* And no, "Fairy Tale of New York" does not count. Do you hear them playing it in coffee shops? Because I don't.

Comments

[threeliesforone.livejournal.com]

when i worked at dominion [the grocery store] years ago, if the chrismas carols were turned on too soon or played too often, there'd be a workers' revolt. seriously. although, the store was at don mills & lawrence, close to both very muslim, hindu & jewish neighbourhood of the city. the management saved the heavy christmas song rotation until very close to christmas, when the head offices mandated it. basically, its on to remind people to BUYBUYBUY!!!! & has nothing to do with celebrating the birth of jeebus in general.

[sabotabby]

I think the weirdest for me was when I stayed with a Jewish family in New York, and they insisted on playing Christmas carols in the car. I do think you're right about the motive, though.

[hopita.livejournal.com]

I caught them playing the holiday station today at work (we have satellite radio). I immediately went into the office and switched it to the 80s station.

[seaya.livejournal.com]

I have satellite and apparently they are going to have a temporary Chanukah station during Chanukah called 8 crazy nights. I wonder what asstastic music they are going to play. Maybe like 10 songs or so?

[hopita.livejournal.com]

I can only think of four. "I had a litte dreydel," those three Adam Sandler Chanuka songs, and ...?

[sabotabby]

Pre-Adam Sandler, so it was just "I Had a Little Dreydel."

[hopita.livejournal.com]

Wow. Eight straight days of "I Had A Little Dreydel" played over and over and over again. Yea, that wouldn't drive anyone insane ...