The Editor,
Over the years that I have been going to the Richmond Centre mall at Christmas time. There has always been Christmas music, though most of the stores have been lacking in Christmas decorations.
This year, however, I noticed that there was no music when I walked there in the mornings. I took a walk in the mall on Friday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m. and there was no music.
I inquired at one of the stores about the lack of Christmas music or any music. The sales attendant said he did not know why and referred me to the customer service area.
I spoke to the representative there and he did not know either. I also noticed the stores had no Christmas decorations, although the mall has some. I checked at Lansdowne mall, which had some music, but not really Christmas music or carols.
What is even more surprising is that nowhere could I find the word Christmas as I walked looking for the word in either of the malls. Am I in Canada?
How do they expect people to Christmas shop in a mall where the spirit of Christmas is lacking or probably stifled? This is Canada, what is happening to the Canadian tradition?
If a few people find the Christmas songs and carols offensive, should the majority of Canadians be ignored? Do the mall owners believe that playing Christmas music at Christmas time will drive away customers?
Maybe Canadians who wish to maintain their Canadian tradition should consider where they should shop.
High marks to Blundell Center which is not afraid to advertise their Caroling Christmas Event. This is where I will go to do my Christmas shopping.
Oscar Hoo, Richmond
