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Didn't know what other forum to put this under so mods please move if necessary.
We were discussing this in the office the other day and it was mostly split down the middle on who was offended and who wasn't offended.
Do you say it after someone in the general vicinity sneezes? Or not (because you think it is silly/stupid or not needed)? Is it considered a mildly "spiritual" thing to say it? Just wondering.
It is just something that some people say. I think it is actually somewhat "regional" also. I tend to hear it more among older individuals than younger ones. It is meant in a kind way, so I don't see why people get offended, of course, some people are so fearful of religion that I guess they might feel someone was trying to convert them, a lot of people today just live on the edge!
Didn't know what other forum to put this under so mods please move if necessary.
We were discussing this in the office the other day and it was mostly split down the middle on who was offended and who wasn't offended.
Do you say it after someone in the general vicinity sneezes? Or not (because you think it is silly/stupid or not needed)? Is it considered a mildly "spiritual" thing to say it? Just wondering.
I want to re-state that statement to say split down the middle on who says and who doesn't say it. Not who may be offended.
Didn't know what other forum to put this under so mods please move if necessary.
We were discussing this in the office the other day and it was mostly split down the middle on who was offended and who wasn't offended.
Do you say it after someone in the general vicinity sneezes? Or not (because you think it is silly/stupid or not needed)? Is it considered a mildly "spiritual" thing to say it? Just wondering.
I say it out of habit, because that's what mom and dad and grandma and grandpa did. While all of the above were somewhat religious, I don't think they said it with any religious or spiritual force behind it. They said it to fill the void after the sneeze.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JONOV
I say it out of habit, because that's what mom and dad and grandma and grandpa did. While all of the above were somewhat religious, I don't think they said it with any religious or spiritual force behind it. They said it to fill the void after the sneeze.
This is the same for us, just a habit from when we were kids.
This is the same for us, just a habit from when we were kids.
It's true that when you think about it, it's a strange convention. We don't comment if someone coughs or blows their nose. It's just something you do because that's what people have done.
Location: Removing a snake out of the neighbor's washing machine
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fleetiebelle
It's true that when you think about it, it's a strange convention. We don't comment if someone coughs, farts, or blows their nose. It's just something you do because that's what people have done.
I don't say it because once you start, you can't suddenly stop saying it, and if you work in a dusty office or around allergy sufferers, it's like a neverending chore that becomes more awkward than saying nothing. I don't consider it religious either, though it may have started out that way, but a social custom.
Southerners could say, "Bless your little heart." The basis, is, I think, people thought your heart might stop on an especially big sneeze, so they would pray that you get a restart. It's much more polite that walking over and giving them a cardiac thump right in the middle of their chest.
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