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But why would anyone be miffed when someone politely asked her to forgo giving a particular greeting? Indeed, why would anyone be miffed by politely being asked not to do something even for totally irrational concerns unless it was conspicuously important for the former to engage in the conduct in question. For example, if I has some pathological reaction to the word "hello," and politely asks you not to greet her in that manner, shouldn't good manners dictate abstaining?
Eugene is right that considering the effects of one's greetings goes both ways. In my view, however, I would place a greater responsibility on the majority religion to be circumspect in their greetings just because they may not (almost certainly do not) intend to offend, but given majorities of almost any sort might do so simply because their greeting is so prevalent. We don't hear much about Christians bristling by greetings of "Happy Hanukah" because I doubt it occurs very often.
I once responded to a student who told be he just got married with "Mazeltov!" an especially meaningful word even to Jews hardly fluent in Yiddish. His reply was "Couldn't you just say "Congratulations"? I think he was kidding. But the experience chilled my use of the term, at least to some extent. I think one should grant the greetee the privilege of politely asking one to refrain from a certain greeting. And I don't think this is a problem even for one who isn't keen on being told what to say and what not to say. In circumstances where the greeter has no intention of offending--indeed has a desire not to offend--why isn't a polite request for abstinence perfectly legitimate?
Bobby
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