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It's a norm thing. Like saying "merry Christmas" (even though it wouldn't be until 3rd grade that I figured out "merry" means happy, and "Christmas" was that holiday associated with that + sign or 't').
Despite possible religious connotations, I've gone with gesunheit instead.
It's very common here in the South. Not really a religious thing, just something people say. Atheists and liberals are probably the most likely to be offended
Or, just say nothing at all. It may be seen as "rude" or whatever by some, but quite honestly in what passes for good manners these days don't think silence after sneezing is going to cause much hurt feelings.
Good replies. I was thinking....I wonder if a person would get offended if instead of saying "bless you" you say "excuse you"? They would probably give you a weird look....lol.....just a thought.
Then there are the folks that sneeze, and no one says anything and they say out loud "bless me!" as if to say "You're supposed to say bless me!!".
Good replies. I was thinking....I wonder if a person would get offended if instead of saying "bless you" you say "excuse you"? They would probably give you a weird look....lol.....just a thought.
Then there are the folks that sneeze, and no one says anything and they say out loud "bless me!" as if to say "You're supposed to say bless me!!".
LOL, kids do that - someone bless me! I grew up with people who said "bless you." It's still habit for me. If someone told me they didn't want me to say it, I'd probably say, "Well, I'm old and it's a habit." Or something like that. It just comes out of my mouth without thought.
My experience is that if there are other people around, they'll also say it.
As to your research as to who says it and who doesn't...both of my folks were Catholics, Mom from Maine (French) and Dad from Oakland, CA (Irish). Both said it. Might be an age thing. I'm in my 60's now.
I didn't know about the superstition regarding keeping bad spirits away. Just always figured it came from a time when people could die from a cold, so it was like a little prayer for them.
Why are people so scared of anything that is remotely spiritual/ religious?
I say "bless you" all the time and I am not even a Christian (though I follow another religion)
It doesn't need to be said. That phrase dates from medieval times when it was thought that sneezing would kill you, and saying "bless you" would cause God to "save" the person from death.
We now know that a sneeze doesn't kill. Not to mention, it is rude to say 'God bless you" to a non-Christian.
I'm a non-Christian, and I'm not offended when someone says that to me. IMO, no reason to be, there certainly was no offense intended on their part.
I say "bless you" but my boss always says "God bless you". It's just the way some of us were raised.
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