When Someone Sneezes, Do You Say "God Bless You" or Gesundheit?

[SeaBreeze]

When somebody sneezes, do you say 'God bless you' or 'gesundheit' to them? I was raised around people who always said that when someone sneezed, to wish them good health. I said it automatically all of my life, but in the last ten years or so, I've been getting away from it. Sometimes I might just say 'bless you', and sometimes I don't say anything.

If somebody says it to me, I always say thank you. How about you, do you say God bless you when someone sneezes?

 

[Warrigal]

I'm more likely to say "Where's your hankie?" because that's what my mother always said to me.

 

[Diwundrin]

Mum used to say 'bless you' but I just remember not to breathe in for as long as possible until the germs settle.

Guess we all now where that originated but I'll bore you anyway.

It's from back in the days of the Black Plague when a sneeze was the first symptom that you'd caught it and weren't long for this world. So it was used as a benediction of sympathy for your imminent departure and a prayer that God would take you and not the Devil.

 

[SifuPhil]

Since I was in high school I've always said "Buddha have mercy upon your useless soul".

Don't quite know what it means, but it's a sure-fire conversation stopper!

 

[That Guy]

I always yell, "YiiiiiHah!"

 

[SifuPhil]

Man, we're a weird bunch, aren't we? Imagine if we all got together somewhere, and a passer-by sneezed? :rofl:

 

[Diwundrin]

Man, we're a weird bunch, aren't we? Imagine if we all got together somewhere, and a passer-by sneezed? :rofl:

I'd be the one going blue in the face.

 

[That Guy]

 

[Old Hipster]

Always said and still do, Gesundheit!

 

[Vivjen]

Always say 'Bless you', even to strangers in queues.

 

[rkunsaw]

If I say anything I will say bless you.

 

[Davey Jones]

In todays crazy world it could be very dangerous to say "bless you" to any stranger especially an Atheist.
Maybe "bless you and go to hell" might work with those types.

 

[Vivjen]

In todays crazy world it could be very dangerous to say "bless you" to any stranger especially an Atheist.
Maybe "bless you and go to hell" might work with those types.

Surely missing out the 'God' is a start?!

 

[Pappy]

Just a "Bless you" here too.

 

[rkunsaw]

In todays crazy world it could be very dangerous to say "bless you" to any stranger especially an Atheist.
Maybe "bless you and go to hell" might work with those types.

That doesn't make a bit of sense. An atheist won't say " god bless you" because we don't speak for imaginary beings but an atheist can certainly say "bless you" because they giving the blessing themselves.

Atheists don't ever go to hell either because it doesn't exist

You should speak for yourself and quit trying to speak for others.

 

[Judi.D]

I was raised to say "God Bless You', but usually only said "Bless You". Still do occasionally. Once read that an uncovered sneeze could blow germs as far as 25 feet, so I too hold my breath hoping the germs will settle down.

 

[Falcon]

I try to stay away from people who are sneezing. I might "bless" them BEFORE they sneezed if I knew they

were going to.

 

[gar]

I never say anything at all.

 

[Vivjen]

I have just discovered that when I sneeze, I automatically say sorry....to the cats..

 

[That Guy]

I started noticing that these daze no one says a thing.

 

[twinkles]

i always say ----bless you-- and did you get any on me

 

[hollydolly]

In England I say Bless you..in Spain to a Spaniard I say Jesús

 

[Falcon]

WHY ? Why say anything ? Useless; DUH !

 

[Aputernut17]

germaphobe here so I duck & run, no time for pleasantries

 

[Capt Lightning]

I say "'gesundheit" - no matter what country I'm in.