Sometimes I hate Christmas.
It's a confession that I don't usually share with anyone.
I'm not religious or anything like that, but I appreciate a good story, and I can appreciate the story of Christmas or Hannukkah without having to believe the magical aspects.
Kind of like the way I enjoy Star Wars, Harry Potter, and the Wizard of Oz, but I'm not going to dedicate my life to Obi Wan Kenobi or the Scarecrow, even though they are worthy of my admiration.
The stuff I "hate" about Christmas is the shopping madness, the rudeness, the short tempers, and all disguised as the spirit of Christmas. I hate the angry parents who yell at their kids in public when the kids aren't doing anything "bad". And if they hit those kids, well, watch out, I'm in attack mode.
I hate the smugness of "churchy" people who get angry when they talk about how public places don't display nativity scenes, or even "Merry Christmas", but instead have "Happy Holiday" signs displayed.
Big fucking deal.
I strongly believe in separation of church and state, and I grit my teeth and try not to comment when customers come into my office shooting their mouths off about that kind of thing. The ones who come in proclaiming loudly that they are Christians are pretty much the most obnoxious, rude and complaining customers I have to deal with throughout the year. And I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the PREACHERS are the worst of all!! ( I have many examples, but I will not get into the personal aspects of those offenders...)
Now don't get me wrong, I immensely enjoy the happiness and excitement of little children who are anticipating a big payoff from Santa for good behavior (at least in the weeks leading up to Xmas).
I love talking to kids and hanging out with them (as long as they've had their naps of course). I like to hand out stickers and candy to kids, with their parents permission. I love it when they say "thank you" without prodding, but I understand shyness if they don't like talking to strangers (sometimes I say "you're welcome" anyway, because I feel like I'm receiving psychic thank yous from the quiet ones...mystical, much?)
The poor guy who was trampled at Wal-Mart on Black Friday pretty much epitomizes everything that's wrong with the holiday season.
I've also noticed something else about the Xmas season, it seems like a lot of people I talk to say that a lot of loved ones have died during the holiday season. In my own case, my brother and father both died in December, and my sister-in-law died right before Thanksgiving one year. It kind of puts a damper on wanting to celebrate.
And this year, my boss's mom died in August, my own mom died in September, and one of my co-worker's dad died in August, too. So it seems like nobody is in much of a holiday mood this year.
But I'll go back to work tomorrow and deal with one of the busiest Saturdays at the post office. I know from the past 14 years of work that I'll be helping prepare a huge amount of packages in the short amount of time I'm open for business tomorrow. I actually really like my job, and I like the fact that I am good at my job and am able to help people solve their problems (at least their mailing problems.)
I'm exhausted just thinking about it tonight. At least the time goes fast, but I'll be running (literally) to keep up with it, and ready for a nap in the afternoon.
Here are a few tips I wish people would use:
Do not come into the office 5 minutes before closing with none of your stuff packed into your box and expecting me to do it for you. I am happy to help people, but it's your job to pack it up and have it ready. Do show up during business hours. Our hours haven't changed in dozens of years, yet every week someone shows up after we close and yells in the lobby that 'I can't believe they closed already" then knocks on the door and expects me to re-open everything. I am not shitting you. Do you really think any other stores, banks or businesses will re-open their doors because you couldn't get out of bed before 11:30? Yet every week, someone gets angry because I have to tell them that I already closed out my disk and the money has been sealed for the deposit. EVERY WEEK!
Oh yeah, and don't get so pissed off at your mailman when your mail is later than usual. You have no idea how difficult their job is, especially this time of year. We get thousands and thousands of pieces of mail with crazy names and addresses that don't make sense, and it takes time to sort all of them out and make our best guesses at where they go. Sometimes we make mistakes. Just put it back into your mailbox, you don't have to come in and swear at me, or call me up and swear at me, or write mean messages all over the front of someone's mail, we're sorry we messed up, and we'll try harder next time. Plus your mail is going to be later, because there are 10 times more packages to deliver and just figure out how much more time it takes for the carrier to get out and bring the package to your door, wait for you to answer, etc. Now multiply that times 100 and you'll know why your mail is later. Don't yell, swear, scream or write horrible nasty notes about the lateness. Walk a mile (or 80 miles, in the case of a rural carrier's route) in their shoes.
Okay, I'm done with my tirade now, I feel much better for getting it out of my system.
I am looking forward to having my kids home at Christmas, they're spread out in different directions, but we get to have them all here at least for a day.
And that's why I love Christmas :)
