Why You Should Never Say This On Memorial Day

Memorial Day is coming up on Monday May 31. The federal holiday usually signifies the start of the summer season for many people, and gives them a day off work to spend time with their family. While you may enjoy using the time off to sleep in and relax at home, Memorial Day is actually a solemn holiday. According to History, Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971 to commemorate those killed in any American-fought war. 

Unlike Veterans Day, which celebrates all who fought, Memorial Day is just for those we've lost. Many people use the occasion to host a backyard barbecue or to set off fireworks at night, but some better traditions to celebrate the day include raising your American flag at half staff or posting about a loved one or honoring those who've died on social media, according to Cafe Mom. However, you should be careful about what you write in your caption, because there is one thing you should never say on Memorial Day.

When it comes to holidays, your first instinct may be to say "Happy" when greeting someone, but Memorial Day is a day of remembrance rather than celebration. So, according to HuffPost, you should never say "Happy Memorial Day," because it may rub people the wrong way. While your intentions may be in the right place, the day is more a somber one. If you're trying to come up with an Instagram caption, KSAT-TV recommends you take the time to come up with something more meaningful.

"Thank you for your service" may be a go-to, but NPR recommends that something like, "I hope you're having a meaningful day" is even better. Pretty much anything that feels like you put some thought into it is better than a generic "Happy Memorial Day." So, whatever you have planned for your day off, make sure you're honoring those we've lost as well.