Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Xmas trees in Cohousing

[areinert (areinert]

On Tue, 14 Feb 1995, Barbara Saunders wrote:

>> As a nonmaterialist  by temperament and a person of Jewish and AmerInd 
>> ancestry by birth, I have found this profoundly disconcerting.  If there's 
>> a Christmas tree in the living room, I know for sure that *I* am not at
>> home.  

> Having a Christmas tree in my living room (my tradition) does not mean I 
> disrespect you and your traditions.  Have a cookie.
> 
> Umm...I thought she was referring to *shared* space, not "your living room."
> 
> Barbara

Christmas tree in the common house, yes. I agree that exposition of
religious and cultural icons in the common area can be, well, rude (to
drop the multisyllabic acadamic jargon), particularily when their 
exhibitors are completely oblivious to the possibility.

>> a Christmas tree in the living room, I know for sure that *I* am not at
>> home.  

My living room.  I'm not telling you that you're unwelcome, you are 
choosing to feel that way. Am I completely off base if I perceive this 
person to be a little, well, prickly?  

Extrapolated to hypothetical real-life situation.  This person is visiting
Winslow at Christmas time.  We've gotten along great.  We pop into our
unit for a cup of tea (pardon the mess), she sees the tree, bristles, and
with abrupt icy politeness takes her leave (hypothetical behavior,
please).  Who would be being rude?  Would I be unreasonable if I thought
her attitude and behavior a bit unneighborly?  I would much rather she
felt free to make a crack about why I, an atheist, kill trees for Christ 
and we could both enjoy the joke on my discomfiture and religio-cultural 
hypocracy.

Arne Reinert