OddThinking

Over the past few weeks, you’ve probably heard this expression a few times:

If I don’t see you before then, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Am I the only one who sees an implied threat here? What if they do see you before then?

Should I infer that it means “Well, in that case, I hope you have a terrible Christmas, and a tragic New Year.”

Hold on… No, I am reading too much into this here. (A implies B) does not imply (not A implies not B).

The way it should be read is, “If I don’t see you again, then Happy and Merry etc… If I do see you again, then I reserve the right to change my hopes and wishes for you. It depends on how you behave the next time I see you.”

Christmas, it seems, is a time of conditional and short-term goodwill to all!

Let me wish all my readers an unconditional merry, happy and long, rest-of-their-lives!