In Impromptus today, I have a couple of notes on “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” and all that jazz. (Actually, I have a note on “All That Jazz,” too — because I mention an encounter with John Kander, composer of Chicago.) I believe we have discussed, here on the Corner, how foreigners in America, or newly arrived immigrants, feel free to say “Merry Christmas.” They have not yet gotten with the PC program. Readers have sent me many stories that confirm the phenomenon.

Well, this morning I was on the phone with India — because I had to change travel plans, and, when you do that, you often talk to India (if not the Philippines). At the end of our conversation, the young man wished me “Merry Christmas” — which was doubly interesting because, in India, they usually say “Happy Christmas,” British-style. Later, I was on the phone with a good ol’ Amurrican, also working for the airline. She wished me “Happy Holiday” (singular). “You’ve got to be carefully taught,” wrote Oscar Hammerstein.