"Reality" is that bitching about not being able to put up decorations is as inane as the story in the Air Farce skit. I've noticed that you never replied to the people who suggested you spend your time sharing the "Christmas spirit" in a more productive manner by volunteering at a charity. Why is that?
I suppose spending time at senior residences doesn't count.
As for bitching I can't recall the last time I've seen so much vitriol and latent anger spewed. Before some around here start taking shots and making assumptions about someone who is just stating an opinion why don't you try looking into your own hearts.
And where is it written in law that only non-whites have exclusive right to bitch about something they don't like? If "freedom of expression" is to mean anything than it has to apply to everyone and anyone who sees something they don't agree with.
There's also a lot of accusations of pushing religion in someone face and not wanting to see religious symbols on display. That's bullshit. No one here advocated displaying crucifixes or nativity scenes or Jesus statues in a public or retail space. Unless, of course, you consider fake snow, some garland and maybe a wreath or snowman as religious symbols.
For the record, just on the small chance that anyone really gives a shit, my inquiries have revealed a little something about my company's policy on this issue.
Firstly, a lot of us at work and in other stores were misinformed on one point: someone was putting across the impression that no Christmas decor was allowed even in non-public areas such as lunchrooms and offices and such. Well after speaking yesterday in person with our District Operations Manager it appears that there is no such "standard operating practice." We are perfectly free to decorate areas not accessible to the public if we so wish. A lot of us at work were glad to have that clarified. Too bad no one cleared that up for us when this all started three years ago.
Secondly, we have a 25ft. Christmas Tree that is taking up space in our warehouse and yet we can't use it. Our District Operations Manager made an excellent suggestion and one we are making an effort to act on: instead of just disposing of the tree we're going to donate it locally. My General Manager's first idea was to donate it to the local shopping mall with the request of there being a small sign informing passerby's from where the tree came from. I'm thinking the mall has its own decorations. I said I think we should use that as a last resort. Rather I suggested we try to find a local shelter or institution that helps those less fortunate or even a church or school that could use the tree. I think that would be a better course of action.
Thirdly, the rationale as to why they won't allow decorating of the sales floor sounds awfully bogus to me. It was explained that Head Office actually liked their stores to decorate, but it was felt that "some" stores were doing a consistently piss-poor job of it and HO were just fed up with trying to get things done better. And this despite the fact that most other locations were doing a favourable to excellent job of it. So it was decided "to hell with it" no one decorates and they'll just ship out more holiday signage for a more "consistent" look from store-to-store. They felt that was sufficient decoration. I countered with the opinion that said "holiday signage" is not Christmas decorating but simply more obvious company advertising with some red-and-green colouring thrown in. "Don't Pay For 90 Days" or "Always Get It For Less" simply done a little more colourfully is not heartfelt decorating.
As I said I think this is a bogus excuse. Our District Operations Manager may actually believe it, but it doesn't wash. It's like saying one or two employees out of forty are abusing their break periods and so everyone has to be disciplined. It just doesn't sound right.
But what do I know---I'm just a privileged blue collar white male.
