Or any other phrase for that matter? Also, why say excuse me. It is a non-offensive normal bodily function that you can't control. As a person with allergies, I find it irritating when I sneeze 8 times and get 8 bless yous to follow. Then I feel obligated to say thank you. Do I have to say thank you when I didn't ask to be blessed in the first place?
2006-08-28 06:43:34 · 13 answers · asked by ajillity 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
lol..i heard that "sneezes" were supposed to mean "your spirit trying to escape". so people say bless u in order for the spirit to remain inside. somethin like that..
i dunno..it has turned into an etiquette of sorts; if u want to be polite, say thank you. if u want to be rude, dont' say anything. :) easy enough.
just as if u want to be rude, don't say "bless u". but if u want to be polite, say "bless u".
2006-08-28 06:54:29 · answer #1 · answered by sasmallworld 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several different theories as to where the custom originated of saying Bless You. Regardless of how or where it originated, it's now just considered the polite thing to do, just as saying Excuse Me is considered polite. It's also customary to say thank you if someone says Bless you and to acknowledge an "excuse me" with a word, nod, or something similar.
Some people find it objectionable to say Bless You because one of the theories of its origin is objectionable to them. But even if their theory is the correct one, it has long since lost any significance it once had, if any.
You don't have to say Thank You, but if you don't, people may feel that you're not 'polite'. It's a harmless custom
2006-08-28 15:12:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When, in 1665, we had the plague in England, a sneeze was considered to be the start of it. Therfore by saying "bless you" it was thought that the sneezer would be protected. Silly superstition. I never say it any more as I am not religious or superstitious.
2006-08-28 13:50:55 · answer #3 · answered by the_emrod 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe 'bless you' started in the middle ages, when ppl were very supersticious and they believed that when you sneezed any evil spirits you had left, and you had to quickly bless the person so the spirits didn't come back. i guess its just been adopted into the english language and we r brot up with it. if possible, just ignore the 'bless you's' or just smile and nod at the person or sumthing.
2006-08-28 22:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by Uma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a person sneezes, their heart seriously skips a beat. So, people will say bless you, because for a moment, your heart stops essentially.
2006-08-28 13:51:43 · answer #5 · answered by missy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bacause back in the day, Native Americans thought that when you sneezed your soul was escaping your body for that split second, by saying Bless you, your soul stays in.
2006-08-28 13:51:15 · answer #6 · answered by Christina H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The origin is this: when you sneeze, your heart skips a beat. The reason to say 'bless you' is that, in case the individual's heart doesn't resume beating, they will be blessed before they die.
2006-08-28 13:50:09 · answer #7 · answered by Char 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
During the Black Death in Europe, a sneeze was considered a sign of the disease. They said God Bless You because it was thought you died quickly of the disease and soon after you showed signs.
2006-08-28 13:48:25 · answer #8 · answered by afterbirth07 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
According to the Book "How did it begin" R Brasch
Some ancients believed that when a person sneezed they were closest to death.(Erroneous of course) and so people would want to wish the person well and for God to help them and preserve their life
2006-08-28 14:00:20 · answer #9 · answered by Truth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bless You supposedly wards off evil spirits...Thats what I was told. Some people don't believe in saying it though, I guess because its kind of a religious thing.
2006-08-28 13:49:46 · answer #10 · answered by duvaldiva.com 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋