Twitter users mocked former Google and Meta tech lead Patrick Shyu after he tweeted that he finds the phrase “Merry Christmas” to be “highly offensive.”
YouTuber Patrick Shyu, also known by his online moniker TechLead, tweeted his controversial opinion on Christmas day.
“I find ‘Merry Christmas’ highly offensive,” the YouTuber wrote. “The holidays cause stress, depression, and mental health issues for 25-40% of people. It’s like a ‘merriness contest’ on social media to force happiness, and a Western subversion of every other culture.”
He concluded his tweet by asking, “What’s a non-offensive greeting?”
I find “Merry Christmas” highly offensive.
The holidays cause stress, depression, and mental health issues for 25-40% of people. It’s like a “merriness contest” on social media to force happiness, and a Western subversion of every other culture. What’s a non-offensive greeting?
— TechLead (@techleadhd) December 25, 2022
However, Shyu made sure to clarify his “supremely happy Christmas” in a follow-up tweet.
“To be clear, I’m having a supremely happy Christmas,” the influencer wrote. “Probably 100x better than yours and would cause mass-depression & carnage if I were to share such unimaginable joy on social media and then say, ‘oh, happy holidays to u too, lol.’ I’m trying to save your life by refraining.”
To be clear, I’m having a supremely happy Christmas. Probably 100x better than yours and would cause mass-depression & carnage if I were to share such unimaginable joy on social media and then say, “oh, happy holidays to u too, lol.” I’m trying to save your life by refraining.
— TechLead (@techleadhd) December 25, 2022
Shyu’s tweets quickly sparked outrage and criticism among users.
“I find ‘Merry Christmas highly offensive as a millionaire. I fixed it for you,” a Twitter user commented.
“I find “Merry Christmas” highly offensive as a millionaire.
I fixed it for you.
— Grey Jabesi (@greybtc) December 25, 2022
“You know what else most people find highly offensive? People who run around looking for ridiculous things to be offended by,” another user tweeted.
You know what else most people find highly offensive? People who run around looking for ridiculous things to be offended by. 🤷♂️
— Jeremy Knauff (@jeremyknauff) December 26, 2022
One Twitter user critiqued Shyu’s attitude toward the common phrase:
“‘Merry Christmas’ is not offensive in and of itself,” the user wrote. “You choose to find it offensive and no one can control what you find offensive.”
“Merry Christmas” is not offensive in and of itself. You choose to find it offensive and no one can control what you find offensive.
— Laura B (@franklinhoss) December 26, 2022
Others responded to the tweet with a simple: “Merry Christmas.”
Merry Christmas!
— Leon Wolf 🇺🇦 (@LeonHWolf) December 26, 2022
Merry Christmas 🎄
— Brian Kenny (BK) (@M1PowerSports) December 27, 2022
