US holidays and inclusive language basics

Two cultural topics in one lesson. Both are practical: holidays come up in casual conversation constantly (Are you doing anything for Memorial Day?); inclusive language conventions shift quickly and matter a lot in US workplaces.

Part 1 — Major US holidays

Holidays in the US are a mix of federal holidays (banks, government offices closed; many companies give the day off), religious holidays (some have federal status, some don’t), and cultural / commercial holidays (no day off, but everyone celebrates).

The big federal holidays (banks closed, mail doesn’t run)

Religious holidays (vary by religion, no universal day off)

Modern US workplaces increasingly recognize all of these — you can usually take time off for a religious holiday even if it’s not federal.

Cultural / commercial (no day off, but everywhere)

Useful holiday vocabulary

• Cookout = outdoor BBQ gathering (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day specials).
• Tailgate / tailgating = pre-football-game parking lot party with grills and beer.
• Trick-or-treat = Halloween activity where kids ring doorbells in costume for candy.
• Stuffing = bread-based filling cooked inside the Thanksgiving turkey.
• Stocking stuffers = small Christmas gifts that go in the Christmas stocking.
• PTO (paid time off) = your vacation/holiday leave from work.

Talking about holidays — small talk scripts

• Are you doing anything for the long weekend? (long weekend = federal holiday Monday)
• Got any plans for the 4th?
• How was your Thanksgiving?
• Hope you had a great holiday season. (December — covers Christmas, Hanukkah, etc., without picking)
• Happy Holidays! (December — inclusive greeting; Merry Christmas is also common but assumes Christian)

Sensitive points

• “Happy Holidays” vs “Merry Christmas”: both are normal in December. Happy Holidays is more inclusive. Some people care strongly either way; usually it’s fine to use either. In professional contexts, Happy Holidays is the safe default.
• Memorial Day vs Veterans Day: Memorial Day = honors fallen military (those who died). Veterans Day = honors all military (living and dead). Don’t say Happy Memorial Day to a veteran whose friend died in war — Have a meaningful Memorial Day is more appropriate.
• Columbus Day: increasingly controversial; many cities and some states have replaced it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Part 2 — Inclusive language basics 2026

US workplace and social norms around inclusive language have shifted significantly in the last decade. Knowing the basics keeps you from accidentally giving offense.

This is especially important in workplace contexts — even casual remarks can become a problem if they’re at the wrong end of a current convention.

Race and ethnicity

Rule of thumb: when in doubt, use what people use to describe themselves. Ask if you’re unsure and the relationship allows it.

Race vs ethnicity

• Race = perceived physical traits (skin color, etc.); largely a social construct, but used in US data collection.
• Ethnicity = cultural / national heritage (Italian American, Japanese American, etc.).

A person can be Black (race) and Latino (ethnicity), or white (race) and Hispanic (ethnicity). The US Census separates the two.

Gender and pronouns

• Pronouns in introductions are increasingly common in US workplaces, signed emails, and meetings. Examples: “I’m Sarah, she/her” or in email signature: Sarah Lee (she/her).
• They/them as a singular pronoun is now standard for non-binary people and as a default when gender is unknown. This usage is correct: “Someone left their bag here” (singular they).
• Common pronoun sets: she/her, he/him, they/them, sometimes ze/zir or others.
• Don’t ask about pronouns invasively; do honor whatever someone shares. If you make a mistake, briefly correct yourself and move on (don’t over-apologize).

Gendered terms — what to swap

Note on “guys”: In casual speech, “you guys” is still very common and most people don’t read it as exclusionary. But in mixed-gender or formal workplace contexts, “folks”, “everyone”, “y’all” are increasingly preferred. Watch what your workplace does.

Y’all (= you all) is originally Southern, but it’s spread nationally as a friendly gender-neutral plural. It’s a great Russian-speaker tool: just use it.

Disability — person-first vs identity-first

Two competing conventions:

• Person-first: person with a disability, person with autism. Emphasizes the person before the condition.
• Identity-first: disabled person, autistic person. Some communities (notably autistic adults, Deaf community) prefer this — they see the identity as inseparable.

Rule of thumb: when in doubt, use person-first; if working with a specific community, follow their preference.

Sexual orientation

• LGBTQ+ is the standard umbrella term (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus others).
• Don’t out anyone: don’t disclose someone’s orientation without their consent.
• Same-sex marriage (not “gay marriage” in formal/respectful contexts).
• Spouse / partner is gender-neutral; safer than assuming husband / wife.

Age

• Older adults / older people is preferred over elderly or seniors in many contexts (less infantilizing).
• Children with X instead of X kids.
• Old people sounds dismissive; older people is fine.

Religion

• Don’t assume someone’s religion based on their name, ethnicity, or appearance.
• Religious and non-religious are neutral. Avoid atheist as a slur (it’s just a description).
• Happy Holidays in December covers everyone; Merry Christmas assumes Christian.

Worked example — adjusting an email for inclusive language

Original

Hey guys, attached is the report on disabled workers and their use of mailmen-style delivery preferences. Let me know what you think — and the chairman wants feedback by Friday.

Inclusive version

Hi everyone, attached is the report on workers with disabilities and their preferences for mail-carrier-style delivery options. Let me know what you think — and the chair wants feedback by Friday.

Both convey the same content; the second avoids potentially exclusionary terms.

Common Russian-speaker mistakes

1. Using outdated terms for race, gender, or disability (“oriental” for Asian, “the disabled”, “stewardess”). The vocabulary shifts fast; check current usage.
2. Assuming “guys” is fine everywhere. In casual speech, often. In mixed-gender meetings, folks / everyone / y’all is safer.
3. Treating they/them as grammatically wrong. It’s standard and now codified in major style guides (AP, Chicago).
4. Making a big deal when corrected on terminology. The graceful response is: “Oh, thanks for telling me. Got it.” Then move on.
5. Avoiding mention of holidays because of religion uncertainty. Happy Holidays and Have a great long weekend cover everything safely.
6. Saying Merry Christmas in a corporate all-hands. Use Happy Holidays in mixed/professional contexts; Merry Christmas with people you know celebrate it.
7. Confusing Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day = fallen; Veterans Day = all veterans.
8. Asking “What are you?” about race or ethnicity. Wildly inappropriate in US workplaces. Wait for people to share if they want to.

Summary

• Federal holidays: New Year’s, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’/Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
• Big cultural days: Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Black Friday.
• Inclusive language matters, especially at work. Default to neutral: folks / everyone over guys; they/them when unknown; person with X (or follow community preference).
• Race: Black (capital), Asian American, Native American/Indigenous; ask, don’t assume.
• Pronouns in intros and email signatures are now standard in many US workplaces.
• When you make a mistake, correct briefly and move on — don’t over-apologize.

Next lesson: US slang for B1 — office and everyday.