This Is Not the Way to React When a Salvation Army Bell Ringer Says 'Happy Holidays

A Salvation Army bell ringer in Phoenix, Ariz., was in for a big -- and painful -- surprise when she said "Happy Holidays" to a woman entering a local Wal-Mart.

Kristina Vindiola told KNXV-TV that she was assaulted by a passerby after offering up the seasonal greeting.

"The lady looked at me. I thought she was going to put money in the kettle," Vindiola told the outlet. "She came up to me and said, 'Do you believe in God?' And she says, ‘You're supposed to say Merry Christmas,' and that's when she hit me (in the arm)."

Then, the woman reportedly entered Wal-Mart and carried on with her shopping.

Vindiola got a store manager who subsequently called police. Despite reviewing security footage, authorities didn't have enough evidence to arrest the alleged assailant, according to KNXV-TV.

"She should've just been happy I said 'Happy Holidays,' but I got hit because I didn't say 'Merry Christmas,'" Vindiola added.

Bell ringers in the area are asked to say "Merry Christmas" during their training, although a spokesperson for The Salvation Army's Western Territory told The Christian Post they are not required to do so when dealing with the public.

"The vast majority of their interactions with the public are really positive," spokeswoman Kathy Lovin told the Post. "But even if they're not, our bell ringers are trained to be gracious and to be good representatives of The Salvation Army."

(H/T: Christian Post)

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Featured image via Shutterstock.com

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