Should I send my Muslim colleague a Christmas card?

moomoomama27

notanewuser wrote: »

They go straight from envelope to recycling bin in this house!

Glad I'm not the only one who does this!

Lioness_Twinkletoes

notanewuser wrote: »

Why not scrap the cards altogether (you see each other every day - do they need a card, really?) and make a charitable donation for what you would have spent instead?

But do make sure you tell everybody - at least three times - that you're giving money to charity instead of sending cards. That way you can be sure everyone knows how caring and giving you really are - and not too tight and/or lazy to actually buy, write on and distribute cards.

gettingtheresometime

notanewuser wrote: »

People spend a fortune. It's madness. Factor in stamps for those that get posted and it's actually a fair whack!

That's why we only really send cards to people we won't see over the Christmas period.

clarryd wrote: »

I worked with a Muslim for many years and he did not except Christmas cards or any form of celebration card whether it had a nice little robin on it or a religious themed one.

Best thing is to ask so not to offend.

Reminds me of when I was (a lot) younger and a friend gave a JW a card (she hadn't realised). The receiver simply threw it in the bin and I always thought how rude that was of her.

Brighton_belle

notanewuser wrote: »

People spend a fortune. It's madness. Factor in stamps for those that get posted and it's actually a fair whack!

(My mum used to send about 60 cards a year and gave at least another 40 out. She would buy charity cards, but the charity would get around 5% of the price of the cards. She donates £50 to a local charity now instead.)

Oh I couldn't agree with you more: the only cards I send are to the sick or elderly for whom I know it makes a difference to their day: I never just sign my name either, they get a long letter because I can't see the point otherwise.
I was reflected merely on the idea of buying cards for all your colleagues you see everyday, meant there would be no postage involved.

Primrose

Yes send him a Christmas card but it would be nice to make a point of finding out when his main religious festival Eid is celebrated and send him a card for that too.

maman

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Reminds me of when I was (a lot) younger and a friend gave a JW a card (she hadn't realised). The receiver simply threw it in the bin and I always thought how rude that was of her.

I've known JWs and muslims who happily receive cards at Christmas. Our Afghan friend also sends us one very year.


It got me thinking that if I (a Christian) was living in a muslim country (or any other religion) and was sent cards by friends at a religious festival, would I be offended? I decided I wouldn't be. I'd be pleased to be included and thought of.


If you're really nervous about it OP then I'd ask but otherwise I'd send one.

duchy

gt568 wrote: »

Man I wish I had some middle class problems :rotfl:

As he's a work colleague- wouldn't that make it a working class problem ?

I come from a family with a mix of religions Christian and otherwise and cards were always exchanged - after all you don't not sent Christmas cards to atheists or other non church goers you know !

As he's taking part in your Christmas meal I can't see he'd be offended -just take care to make it a secular card.

barbarawright

Look at it this way - would you be offended if he sent you an Eid card ? (If such a thing exists). If the answer is no, then assume he wouldn't be offended either but would be pleased at sharing in festivities that are important to you.

RuthnJasper

My great-aunts (in their mid and late 90s) send their Muslim neighbours a Christmas Card and have them around for tea and cake on the day. Their neighbours return the favour when they celebrate the end of Ramadan.

I think that the OP's Muslim colleague would feel awkward and singled-out if they were the only one in the office not to receive a card...

fairy_lights

I've got Muslim friends who celebrate Christmas - a lot of non-Christians do. For some people it's a religious holiday but it has other meanings too. I agree with others who have said it would be more offensive not to give him a card.