Do people seem more polite during the Christmas holidays? I find that people that normally don't talk to me, suddenly acknowledge my existence....wish they'd do that all year 'round

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The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. ~ Ernest Hemingway ...

Then it wouldn't be so sudden would it?

I'll acknowledge folks, out of common courtesy. So if someone who I don't normally interact with much or at all says "Merry Christmas" I'll respond with a heartfelt "Yeah, you too."

But seriously, I do enjoy the lightening up that seems to take place in most people, and do enjoy the season.

Speaking of which, it was the most beautiful evening last night. Five inches of freshly fallen snow, about a foot total on the ground. We played outside for a couple hours and had a gas. Too bad it was too powdery to pack for snowballs and snowmen. Perfect skiing snow, but we need to get to the ski shop for new boots - darn kids grow too fast.

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Don of Borg - Cool, Calm, Collective.

"Within the next generation I believe that the world's leaders will discover that infant conditioning and narco-hypnosis are more efficient, as instruments of government, than clubs and prisons, and that the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I find irritating the 'peace-on-earth' mambo-jumbo people embrace this time of year. They seem to forget the hypocrisy and the evilness they displayed on the course of the closing year. Well, I can´t do it. I stay off this fake attitude. Everything is going to be the same next year, and people will quickly forget this short-lived illusion of happiness; this years-end 'folie'.

Man, I wish it was January already...

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"As truth is gathered, I rearrange,
Inside out, outside in - Perpetual change." - A British rock band

bah...

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The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. ~ Ernest Hemingway ...

rAmen.

The pedantic idealism that gets vomited out this time of year can get old real quick.

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I'm not completely heartless, the doctor who removed it told me he'd never be able to get it all.

Could y'all be any more cynical?

The start of a new year (I figure the Winter Solstice, when day starts getting longer, is as good a mark for a year as any) is the perfect time to break out of our bad habits and try to make the world a little bit better. "Everything is going to be the same next year"? Then why bother living? Why not just lay down and die right now?

I for one perfer to spend my time a little more constuctivly. Will there still be evil and greed and hypocracy in the world when I'm done? Well duh, of course there will be. But at least there will be a little less.

And if that means I try to bring a little peace to this world, so be it.

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Carl Matherly

Offical Battlestar Galactica Apologist

Named Time Magazine's 2006 "Person of the Year"

I doubt I can outdo Doodler, but I do share his sentiment to a certain degree.

I view it as a good thing that has gone too far.

Yes; I see people as being a bit nicer, and the hype seems to keep it in the front of peoples minds.

It could also be a subliminal remainder from all those childhood years of Santa checking his list.

And there may even be those who feel more comfortable because they see a Christmas bonus coming. (If that still happens anywhere)

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Numbers are not case sensitive. (me)

Yeah, Christmas bonuses still happen. At least on good years. Mine was slightly more than an extra paycheck last year.

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I'm not completely heartless, the doctor who removed it told me he'd never be able to get it all.

Here, here. Why don't we look at the glass as having a little liquid instead of being mostly empty? Instead of trying to be as nasty as we are the rest of the year, why don't we try to extend the seasonal niceness a little into our lives the rest of the year.

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At night the stars put on a show for free (Carole King)

Could y'all be any more cynical?



It's nothing new, I suspect it inspired Dickens to write Christmas Carol

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But you're sure the astronauts are lying; you just don't seem to know what they're lying about. jayutah

Yes, I love this time of year! Everybody is so kind and polite. The teachers let you tell jokes in class, people say "Thank you" when you hold a door or complement their looks, and sometimes you can even see students singing carols to themselves in the hallways.

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"If you think the LHC will create black holes, you might as well believe Hobbits are at the bottom of your garden."- Dr. Mike Inglis
Rovers forever! - ToSeek
"Carl Sagan sent a message to ET,
Neil Armstrong walked in the Sea of Tranquility
Steve Squyers built Spirit and Opportunity
Dan Haylen upchucked in zero gravity." -Brent Simon, The Space Camp Song

I can barely function for the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas in the artificially fluffed, faux saccharine, airs we foist upon the world without tearing off my shirt and running around in the snow swinging a monstrous double bladed axe like a psychotic yeti on a bad PCP trip.

How on Earth do you think I'll manage the other forty eight weeks a year?

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I'm not completely heartless, the doctor who removed it told me he'd never be able to get it all.

You wouldn't. You'd go on a killing rampage that would set new records.

But, at least in my mind, there is a difference between faux saccharine and just being nice and polite. And there is some desirable middle ground between the fake Christmas cheer, of the kind shown by 1960s TV Christmas specials, and the world is a toilet bowl, life stinks, it always has, and it always will, and then we all die.

And Merry Whatever to you to. <bah humbug>

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At night the stars put on a show for free (Carole King)

...O.K. Apparently you could...

By the way, is that anything like a yeti with a dozen condoms of coke burst in its belly?

...its a bad scene man

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Carl Matherly

Offical Battlestar Galactica Apologist

Named Time Magazine's 2006 "Person of the Year"

" Oh my......the Spirits have done it all in one night. Well,....of course they did..they are spirits. ( a sash is drawn up..) You there....boy."
" Yes Sir? "
"Tell me, what day is it? "
"Why tis Christmas,Sir.'"

"What a fine boy. Tell me, do you know the butcher's shop in the next street but one? Is that great turkey in the window still there? "
"Yes Sir, I do, and indeed it is still."

"Sterling child! Well, if you go to that Butcher and bring him here with that bird, I'll give you 10 shillings. Get back here in ten minutes, and I shall give you an extra half a crown! !"
"Yes,Sir!"

" Why, I feel giddy! On my word I feel light as a feather ."

These things from perhaps another Christmas.
May you each find something and someone to keep this , the best season
for your heart and soul.

Dan

Dang! I wish I could meet some of the nice, considerate people you folks seem to run across! This evening, I went to a convenience store. As I walked up to the door, there was a woman standing at the inside of the door. Just as I got to the door, she pushed the door open and turned around and stood there in the middle of the doorway to continue the conversation she was having!

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Any day you wake up on "the right side of the dirt" is a good day.

T. Anderson

It's because the minds of the people are set on what is being celebrated during holidays , and it's not only this season , there is Valentines's Day, Father's Day, Mother's Day, etc. where people behave according to what is being celebrated , and of course with media and advertisements that magnifies it more.

And as for this Holiday...I just wish .. people will behave not only this season but throughout the year. If it happens , I believe it'll be more peaceful and everything is nice and smooth, probably crimes are low.

Ok, I gotta comment on this but...

Isn't the grouchiness, grumpiness, depression and suicide rate highest too?

It seems that with all the cheerfulness- the balance also swings in the negative as well.

Could you really tolerate it year round?