This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. We all know that the people that object to CHRISTmas trees, Saying Merry CHRISTmas, are all newcomers to this country. They are running away from opression in there countries so they try to opress those of us who were born here. Most of them could not make a decent living in their countries so they come here to earn money that says "'In God We Trust" on it, and have no problem spending it and sending it home to bring other family over.
Laura DiBona - 14 years ago
I say boycott any business , retail bank or otherwise who does not have the balls to stand up for tradition. People need to band together and start protesting all that is being taken away....We are appauled that Citizens Bank took down the Christmas Tree, you lousy bunch of scrooges. It won't be so funny when we all withdraw our savings from your depressing premises. Let everyone enjoy the season, after all it is Christmas. And you best not punish your employees for standing up to you. Hats off to them. In numbers we can change things back. We need a grassroots uprising from Boston to San Francisco. I'm sure the 20 to 25 million people who are out of a job would love to take a stand. .By the way did you know that the same thing has happened at Baby's R us. Imagine being told no tree there either and Toys R Us are owned by them. Cowards. Who do you think are buying all your toys? The people who say MERRY CHRISTMAS you morons. Get a life.......
Nota Christian - 14 years ago
F^ck Christmas!!!!
AEW - 14 years ago
Shame on Citizens Bank. Take a look at S- Bank it will put you in the Christmas spirit. That's why they have" All" of my business and Citizens never will.
Maureen - 14 years ago
Bluecat:I'm not against holiday decorations or sociailizing at work.However, I think we all can agree some employees allow their socializtion to interfer with getting their job done. So my real point was, did putting up the tree interfer with this employee getting his job done, if it didn't then I agree it shouldn't have been a problem.
KARL - 14 years ago
Now that Citizens is a member of the PC police, it's time to transfer all my accounts to another bank.
Joe - 14 years ago
Citizen Bank is controlled by a group that is harmfully influenced by the ACLU. The bank is so afraid that some crackpot that has a few dollars deposited in the bank will object to the presence of the tree. The tree is a symbol of Christmas . I am sure that the money hungry directors of the bank will not direct their investors to deposit money gifts into a christmas club account or some other type of investment. Citizen Bank has gone the route of other banks/department stores etc.that are so concerned about lack of christmas sales because it may lesson their profits.. I say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all including the grubby citizen bank
Jack - 14 years ago
Here's what Garrison Keillor wrote in his column 3 years ago:
"There are people who feel "excluded" by Christian symbolism and are offended by the manger and the angels and the Child, but there have always been humorless, legalistic people. Complaint is an American art form, and in our time it has been raised to an operatic level. To which one can only say: get a life. When you go to France, you don't expect a stack of buckwheat pancakes for breakfast or Le Monde to print box scores. You're in France. Now you're in America. It's a Christian culture. Work with it. "
Kinda says it all.
RMJ - 14 years ago
As I read some of the comments, there are I agree with and some that I don't. So with that being said, How about those powers that be in upper management put this situation in perspective....IT'S CHRISTMAS!.....also there is way more serious things going on like a recession and war. Management at Citizens should focus on preventing layoffs and creating. Also the spokesperson for Citizens affiliating a Christmas Tree with company time. Answer this how many personal phone calls do you make a week....lol!
TQuincy - 14 years ago
Religious icons have no place in public settings. I do not want to be confronted by a Christmas tree everytime I go to the bank. Celebrate your religion in the privacy of your own home; don't shove it down my throat.
ELLEN WALSH - 14 years ago
HEY OBAMA TOOK MERRY CHRISTMAS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE !!!! I'M CHANGING BANKS!!!!!!!!
whatever - 14 years ago
Just another fine example of Citizens Bank being no good. Hopefully 2010 will bring Citizens Bank and Bank of America out of business.
Maureen, please stop your foolishness. Have ever made a personal call during working hours? Or run out 15-20 minutes early for lunch to run errands? Maybe you've had to pick up your child early from school or a family member who needed a ride during your working hours. And I'll bet you never socialize on company time either, do you?
The amount of time it takes to put up decorations is minimal. Most bosses are more than happy to allow it because it brings co-workers together during a season when some people have no one. It's a moral builder. Also, did the management order all other holiday decorations removed? I doubt it!
But I'd bet it was a complaint by some Scrooge type who loves to sour other peoples spirit. Where I work we call them "Energy Vampires". They just suck the ever lovin' life out of anyone around and it brings them a sense of power.
If within the bounds of good taste and being appropriate, any kind of holiday decoration is acceptable.
Just my opinion Maureen. You obviously have some Scrooge-like tendancies if you think it's a waste of time to celebrate this time of year.
Don't be offended, Christmas is not here to slight you. It's here to bring love to the world, believe it or not.
Maureen, just remember what the Grinch finally realized: That Christmas come whether there are decorations or gifts or nothing at all,
Kate - 14 years ago
Let people enjoy holidays no matter what religion. How can we expect our children to have any spirituality and traditions when we have made it just another shopping day! There is nothing for our children to grab onto. No tradtions, no outside lets get together and just play a game of baseball, go skating, whatever. Our children are no longer allowed to be young. So they stress and move into drugs, etc. We need to re-evaluate our priorities and let people have their traditions. If we can't say merry Christmas, why are we giving days off?
Kiner - 14 years ago
We will remember this story well, the next time we select a bank.What in the name of God is this Country comming too? All of our Christian values are being offered in sacrifice just to placate a group of nonconformists.This is a disgarce.
Marti Keneally - 14 years ago
I submitted this to the Partiot Ledger on 12/12/05 after the big 'TO-DO' about renaming the Christmas Tree in Boston, it was printed on 12/14/05:
Without a doubt it is, and always will be a Christmas tree. After all, we are celebrating Christmas. What other holiday is celebrated with the decorating of a tree?
I respect others of a different race, creed, color, etc. that celebrate their December holiday in the manner in whiich they are accustomed. Do the respect my holiday?
Shall we rename the song while we are at it--- "O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree"? If we do change the name to "holiday tree" exactly what holiday(s) are we celebrating with the decorating of this tree? Where does the insanity stop? christmas is a holiday that has strong family traditions, and one of those traditions is the Christmas tree
I would like to know why this offends people. To what extreme are they offended? I'm not offended in the least when I see a menorah with candle(s) lit, or any other display of holiday worship/celebration, nor do I think any of my Christian peers are offended.
I know I'll never get any answers to my questions, but I hope this will give many 'holiday tree" name change lobbyists something to think about.
I really think people need to relax and not be so uptight about whether or not a tree decorated with lights, bows and other ornaments in the month of December should be renamed. This is a moot point, and this wasted energy could be channeled to raise money to house the homeless, feed the hungry and help the elderly and abused children out there in the United States of America.
Dan - 14 years ago
Where i work we have a group of people who's only job is to make non white, non christian people feel better about themselves.
mil boland - 14 years ago
it's a symbol that means love and good will what is Citizen's problem wit that? shame ful!thanks mil
Freedom fighter - 14 years ago
Call the corporate offices and tell them you're going to close all your accounts! Guarantee they'll change the policy
Julie - 14 years ago
I can not believe that we are still going through with this nonsense. As a Jew, I very much enjoy the sights, sounds and colors of Christmas. The winter is so dark, dull and cold. These decorations thrill me instead of offend me.
Even though it's not my belief, I consider Christmas kind of a semi-Jewish holiday. After all, was Jesus not a Jew and isn't Christmas a celebration of His birth?
Dotsouth - 14 years ago
OH PLEASE, AGAIN?
Cindy Root - 14 years ago
I am tired of people trying to take away things that we should have. Let the Christians have their Christmas trees, the Jewish folks have their Channukah Menorahs and allow other groups to celebrate their holidays and traditions too. If this offends people, too bad--go to another country. Too many men and women have died to make this country 'the land of the free and the home of the brave'. We are taught to respect other people and their traditions, I have no problem with that as long as we are free to have ours. Merry Christmas!
It is sad that all the wonderful holidays we looked forward to as children are being removed one by one. I am offended that Citizens Bank, MY BANK was so small minded that they "caved" in and removed the tree out of sight. To me, a tree with lights and decorations (known as a Christmas tree) are the last images of my mother being with me before I brought her to hospital and died. You are not just removing the trees, but you are taking peoples memories of happiness that was once part of our lives. Maybe it is time to find a more open minded bank who think of all their customers, not just a few who might be offended. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL WHO ENJOY CHRISTMAS.
boston20 - 14 years ago
Give it a rest people. read your bible.
Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."
Let them display their tree for the winter solstice.
Some poeple need to get a life
SoShoreBill - 14 years ago
For those who feel offended at each turn, how about simply understanding the customs of your new environment? It must be wonderful to be able to point to anything that allegedly offends you and demand it's removal regardless of its historical meaning? I'm sure I could expect to do the same if I moved to Moscow, Tehran, or Beijing. This Politically Correct Movement has & is doing more to incite and isolate us from each other and the corporations are the spineless frightened enablers leading the way.
niecie - 14 years ago
What has happened to our country? The kids cant celebrate halloween in school...Christmas can no longer be Christmas....The stores put up Christmas before Halloween.....I remember as a small child my Nana telling me, It wasnt this bad when I was a child....Now at age 51 with my first grandbaby on the way I pray for peace in our world, I pray we all get back to the basics...somewhere the spirit of the holidays has been lost in the hussle bustle of commercialism. If I had one wish this year, is that each of us takes a moment and ask what one small thing can I do to make the holiday season more meaningful for a friend, a loved one, a stranger, even a homeless person. We can change, one person at a time. Let's put hope back into our country, Let's set prejudices aside....as far as this tree goes, some say it is just a tree, some say was it on company time or her own time? What I say, is if that tree put one smile on one customer's face then the tree should have stayed. How many elderly people walk into a bank just to have contact with someone? I know this happens, as my son worked at a bank in a small town where the majority are retired..and it made someone's day to see someone with a smile and a nice Hello. If this bank has one elderly person who isnt fortunate enough to have friends or family close by or the means to buy a tree..that tree might have given that one person Christmas spirit within. Look past religous rederic and really who doesnt find peace and joy in a beautifully decorated tree...PUT THE TREE BACK UP give someone a sparkle in their eye, someone spirit in their heart...honestly cant we all step back to the basics. If everyone vowed to do something special for one person each year and pass it forward...wouldnt it be nice to spread the spirit of our souls back throughout this wonderful country of ours....Honor our heroes...when was the last time you walked up to a fireman, policeman, or military person and said Thank You. Two words.....two important words....Through this holiday season take the time to say Thank You. We can do this one person at a time. GO BACK TO THE BASICS.
Anna Dunwell - 14 years ago
Celebrations are wonderful! Good Will Towards All People!
Steve - 14 years ago
I think if you walk into a store, bank or business and say Merry Christmas and the people do not reply with Merry Christmas, cancel you purchase/ or close your account and go to another store/ business that does!
Christmas means many things to many people, most I think, see the celebration of peace and good will.
Get a grip, we have much bigger issues to be really worried about than a Christmas tree.
To all, peace and good will!
and keep your hands off my Christmas tree!
Rory - 14 years ago
TIRED OF ALL THESE IDIOTS SAYING WHAT WE CAN AND CANT DO ANY MORE WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO WHY DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THERIS WHEN THEY COULD CARTE LESS ABOUT MINE
Rory - 14 years ago
TIRED OF ALL THESE IDIOTS SAYING WHAT WE CAN AND CANT DO ANY MORE WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO WHY DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THERIS WHEN THEY COULD CARTE LESS ABOUT MINE
Maureen - 14 years ago
Question is just when was this tree set up? Was this person allowed access to the building during off hours to set up the tree? Or did the person punch in and set up the tree during work hours when they should have been attending to bank business? Perhaps the real issue isn't the tree but a crackdown on how much work time is wasted by the employees on personal business?
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. We all know that the people that object to CHRISTmas trees, Saying Merry CHRISTmas, are all newcomers to this country. They are running away from opression in there countries so they try to opress those of us who were born here. Most of them could not make a decent living in their countries so they come here to earn money that says "'In God We Trust" on it, and have no problem spending it and sending it home to bring other family over.
I say boycott any business , retail bank or otherwise who does not have the balls to stand up for tradition. People need to band together and start protesting all that is being taken away....We are appauled that Citizens Bank took down the Christmas Tree, you lousy bunch of scrooges. It won't be so funny when we all withdraw our savings from your depressing premises. Let everyone enjoy the season, after all it is Christmas. And you best not punish your employees for standing up to you. Hats off to them. In numbers we can change things back. We need a grassroots uprising from Boston to San Francisco. I'm sure the 20 to 25 million people who are out of a job would love to take a stand. .By the way did you know that the same thing has happened at Baby's R us. Imagine being told no tree there either and Toys R Us are owned by them. Cowards. Who do you think are buying all your toys? The people who say MERRY CHRISTMAS you morons. Get a life.......
F^ck Christmas!!!!
Shame on Citizens Bank. Take a look at S- Bank it will put you in the Christmas spirit. That's why they have" All" of my business and Citizens never will.
Bluecat:I'm not against holiday decorations or sociailizing at work.However, I think we all can agree some employees allow their socializtion to interfer with getting their job done. So my real point was, did putting up the tree interfer with this employee getting his job done, if it didn't then I agree it shouldn't have been a problem.
Now that Citizens is a member of the PC police, it's time to transfer all my accounts to another bank.
Citizen Bank is controlled by a group that is harmfully influenced by the ACLU. The bank is so afraid that some crackpot that has a few dollars deposited in the bank will object to the presence of the tree. The tree is a symbol of Christmas . I am sure that the money hungry directors of the bank will not direct their investors to deposit money gifts into a christmas club account or some other type of investment. Citizen Bank has gone the route of other banks/department stores etc.that are so concerned about lack of christmas sales because it may lesson their profits.. I say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all including the grubby citizen bank
Here's what Garrison Keillor wrote in his column 3 years ago:
"There are people who feel "excluded" by Christian symbolism and are offended by the manger and the angels and the Child, but there have always been humorless, legalistic people. Complaint is an American art form, and in our time it has been raised to an operatic level. To which one can only say: get a life. When you go to France, you don't expect a stack of buckwheat pancakes for breakfast or Le Monde to print box scores. You're in France. Now you're in America. It's a Christian culture. Work with it. "
Kinda says it all.
As I read some of the comments, there are I agree with and some that I don't. So with that being said, How about those powers that be in upper management put this situation in perspective....IT'S CHRISTMAS!.....also there is way more serious things going on like a recession and war. Management at Citizens should focus on preventing layoffs and creating. Also the spokesperson for Citizens affiliating a Christmas Tree with company time. Answer this how many personal phone calls do you make a week....lol!
Religious icons have no place in public settings. I do not want to be confronted by a Christmas tree everytime I go to the bank. Celebrate your religion in the privacy of your own home; don't shove it down my throat.
HEY OBAMA TOOK MERRY CHRISTMAS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE !!!! I'M CHANGING BANKS!!!!!!!!
Just another fine example of Citizens Bank being no good. Hopefully 2010 will bring Citizens Bank and Bank of America out of business.
Maureen, please stop your foolishness. Have ever made a personal call during working hours? Or run out 15-20 minutes early for lunch to run errands? Maybe you've had to pick up your child early from school or a family member who needed a ride during your working hours. And I'll bet you never socialize on company time either, do you?
The amount of time it takes to put up decorations is minimal. Most bosses are more than happy to allow it because it brings co-workers together during a season when some people have no one. It's a moral builder. Also, did the management order all other holiday decorations removed? I doubt it!
But I'd bet it was a complaint by some Scrooge type who loves to sour other peoples spirit. Where I work we call them "Energy Vampires". They just suck the ever lovin' life out of anyone around and it brings them a sense of power.
If within the bounds of good taste and being appropriate, any kind of holiday decoration is acceptable.
Just my opinion Maureen. You obviously have some Scrooge-like tendancies if you think it's a waste of time to celebrate this time of year.
Don't be offended, Christmas is not here to slight you. It's here to bring love to the world, believe it or not.
Maureen, just remember what the Grinch finally realized: That Christmas come whether there are decorations or gifts or nothing at all,
Let people enjoy holidays no matter what religion. How can we expect our children to have any spirituality and traditions when we have made it just another shopping day! There is nothing for our children to grab onto. No tradtions, no outside lets get together and just play a game of baseball, go skating, whatever. Our children are no longer allowed to be young. So they stress and move into drugs, etc. We need to re-evaluate our priorities and let people have their traditions. If we can't say merry Christmas, why are we giving days off?
We will remember this story well, the next time we select a bank.What in the name of God is this Country comming too? All of our Christian values are being offered in sacrifice just to placate a group of nonconformists.This is a disgarce.
I submitted this to the Partiot Ledger on 12/12/05 after the big 'TO-DO' about renaming the Christmas Tree in Boston, it was printed on 12/14/05:
Without a doubt it is, and always will be a Christmas tree. After all, we are celebrating Christmas. What other holiday is celebrated with the decorating of a tree?
I respect others of a different race, creed, color, etc. that celebrate their December holiday in the manner in whiich they are accustomed. Do the respect my holiday?
Shall we rename the song while we are at it--- "O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree"? If we do change the name to "holiday tree" exactly what holiday(s) are we celebrating with the decorating of this tree? Where does the insanity stop? christmas is a holiday that has strong family traditions, and one of those traditions is the Christmas tree
I would like to know why this offends people. To what extreme are they offended? I'm not offended in the least when I see a menorah with candle(s) lit, or any other display of holiday worship/celebration, nor do I think any of my Christian peers are offended.
I know I'll never get any answers to my questions, but I hope this will give many 'holiday tree" name change lobbyists something to think about.
I really think people need to relax and not be so uptight about whether or not a tree decorated with lights, bows and other ornaments in the month of December should be renamed. This is a moot point, and this wasted energy could be channeled to raise money to house the homeless, feed the hungry and help the elderly and abused children out there in the United States of America.
Where i work we have a group of people who's only job is to make non white, non christian people feel better about themselves.
it's a symbol that means love and good will what is Citizen's problem wit that? shame ful!thanks mil
Call the corporate offices and tell them you're going to close all your accounts! Guarantee they'll change the policy
I can not believe that we are still going through with this nonsense. As a Jew, I very much enjoy the sights, sounds and colors of Christmas. The winter is so dark, dull and cold. These decorations thrill me instead of offend me.
Even though it's not my belief, I consider Christmas kind of a semi-Jewish holiday. After all, was Jesus not a Jew and isn't Christmas a celebration of His birth?
OH PLEASE, AGAIN?
I am tired of people trying to take away things that we should have. Let the Christians have their Christmas trees, the Jewish folks have their Channukah Menorahs and allow other groups to celebrate their holidays and traditions too. If this offends people, too bad--go to another country. Too many men and women have died to make this country 'the land of the free and the home of the brave'. We are taught to respect other people and their traditions, I have no problem with that as long as we are free to have ours. Merry Christmas!
It is sad that all the wonderful holidays we looked forward to as children are being removed one by one. I am offended that Citizens Bank, MY BANK was so small minded that they "caved" in and removed the tree out of sight. To me, a tree with lights and decorations (known as a Christmas tree) are the last images of my mother being with me before I brought her to hospital and died. You are not just removing the trees, but you are taking peoples memories of happiness that was once part of our lives. Maybe it is time to find a more open minded bank who think of all their customers, not just a few who might be offended. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL WHO ENJOY CHRISTMAS.
Give it a rest people. read your bible.
Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."
Let them display their tree for the winter solstice.
Some poeple need to get a life
For those who feel offended at each turn, how about simply understanding the customs of your new environment? It must be wonderful to be able to point to anything that allegedly offends you and demand it's removal regardless of its historical meaning? I'm sure I could expect to do the same if I moved to Moscow, Tehran, or Beijing. This Politically Correct Movement has & is doing more to incite and isolate us from each other and the corporations are the spineless frightened enablers leading the way.
What has happened to our country? The kids cant celebrate halloween in school...Christmas can no longer be Christmas....The stores put up Christmas before Halloween.....I remember as a small child my Nana telling me, It wasnt this bad when I was a child....Now at age 51 with my first grandbaby on the way I pray for peace in our world, I pray we all get back to the basics...somewhere the spirit of the holidays has been lost in the hussle bustle of commercialism. If I had one wish this year, is that each of us takes a moment and ask what one small thing can I do to make the holiday season more meaningful for a friend, a loved one, a stranger, even a homeless person. We can change, one person at a time. Let's put hope back into our country, Let's set prejudices aside....as far as this tree goes, some say it is just a tree, some say was it on company time or her own time? What I say, is if that tree put one smile on one customer's face then the tree should have stayed. How many elderly people walk into a bank just to have contact with someone? I know this happens, as my son worked at a bank in a small town where the majority are retired..and it made someone's day to see someone with a smile and a nice Hello. If this bank has one elderly person who isnt fortunate enough to have friends or family close by or the means to buy a tree..that tree might have given that one person Christmas spirit within. Look past religous rederic and really who doesnt find peace and joy in a beautifully decorated tree...PUT THE TREE BACK UP give someone a sparkle in their eye, someone spirit in their heart...honestly cant we all step back to the basics. If everyone vowed to do something special for one person each year and pass it forward...wouldnt it be nice to spread the spirit of our souls back throughout this wonderful country of ours....Honor our heroes...when was the last time you walked up to a fireman, policeman, or military person and said Thank You. Two words.....two important words....Through this holiday season take the time to say Thank You. We can do this one person at a time. GO BACK TO THE BASICS.
Celebrations are wonderful! Good Will Towards All People!
I think if you walk into a store, bank or business and say Merry Christmas and the people do not reply with Merry Christmas, cancel you purchase/ or close your account and go to another store/ business that does!
Christmas means many things to many people, most I think, see the celebration of peace and good will.
Get a grip, we have much bigger issues to be really worried about than a Christmas tree.
To all, peace and good will!
and keep your hands off my Christmas tree!
TIRED OF ALL THESE IDIOTS SAYING WHAT WE CAN AND CANT DO ANY MORE WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO WHY DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THERIS WHEN THEY COULD CARTE LESS ABOUT MINE
TIRED OF ALL THESE IDIOTS SAYING WHAT WE CAN AND CANT DO ANY MORE WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO WHY DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THERIS WHEN THEY COULD CARTE LESS ABOUT MINE
Question is just when was this tree set up? Was this person allowed access to the building during off hours to set up the tree? Or did the person punch in and set up the tree during work hours when they should have been attending to bank business? Perhaps the real issue isn't the tree but a crackdown on how much work time is wasted by the employees on personal business?