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I think a majority of people that use it, do have a religious intention behind it since "bless" is a definitely religious word. They're just trying to spread good will, I know, but it is a bit strange to have someone you don't even know "bless" you. There are plenty of good secular alternatives that do not presume that the listener would want to be "blessed". Saying "bless you" after a sneeze is different because 1) there's no other alternative 2) it has been wide spread all over this country forever.
Do you really believe people are thinking "Let me spread some of my christian faith and force the lords blessing upon this person through me saying "have a blessed day"?
Telling someone to have a blessed day, bless you or go to hell is all the same. They can have a religious connotation or it can simply just be an expression. The definition of blessed ranges from holy to happy. Whether you choose to feel offended or angered by the expression is left up to you.
You people kill me with this mess. Is this what's being taught or thought in the free-thinking world out there.
I'm sure people say "bless you" after you sneeze though, right? Do you roll your eyes at that too? The word "bless" doesn't necessarily have anything to do with religion. It certainly doesn't in "bless your heart" I still dont really know what that even means
"Bless Your Heart" = "I kind of think you are a douche but I'm going to be polite because I'm Southern and that's what we are expected to do but I don't mean it literally at all and what I actually think is you're kind of pathetic."
"Have a Blessed Day" = "It is my duty as a God-fearing Christian to remind you that God is the source of any and all of your possible happiness." So there.
Hear it in TN from male and female, any age. Never heard it in the northeast. I"m not religious but it certainly doesn't bother me; caught me by surprise initially as I tend to think religion should be kept out of the workplace when dealing with customers, but I just chalk it up to that's how it is in the south and say "thanks".
Oh yeah-- it's DEFINITELY a southern thing. I am from the northeast and NEVER had anyone say that to me until I moved to North Carolina. Why- in South Carlolina you can even get a license plate that says, "In God We Trust" on it! Which being a Christian- I love. It's like a slap in the face to all of the "politically correct" people out there trying to take away only the Christian's right of freedom of speech.
"Bless Your Heart" = "I kind of think you are a douche but I'm going to be polite because I'm Southern and that's what we are expected to do but I don't mean it literally at all and what I actually think is you're kind of pathetic."
That is not the only meaning, but if that is the only one you are aware of, well bless your heart.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
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Hear it once in awhile here in KY. I actually had a manager at a job back in Northern VA say it often to customers. Kinda surprised he was so bold since that area of Virginia (Arlington) is home to a lot of hyper-liberal, PC folks who will scream bloody murder at any word of regliousity.
"Bless Your Heart" = "I kind of think you are a douche but I'm going to be polite because I'm Southern and that's what we are expected to do but I don't mean it literally at all and what I actually think is you're kind of pathetic."
"Have a Blessed Day" = "It is my duty as a God-fearing Christian to remind you that God is the source of any and all of your possible happiness." So there.
That's *mostly* true... "Bless your heart" can also mean... "You poor thing, God bless you and take away your pain." Or it can mean, "That's so sweet! I'm so happy! God bless you for being nice." Or simply, "I don't know what to say to what you just said, so God bless you."
But it mostly means, "I'm a little ticked at you but I'm going to cover it up by saying 'Bless your heart' because I'm Southern and that's what I do."
Customer service people will also say "I'm blessed" down here in answer to the question "How are you?" It is their duty to remind you of their religion. I don't roll my eyes at it but man, it can bug me...
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