Why do people say "bless you" whenever they hear you sneeze?

Answer 1

Other explanations are based on superstitions and urban legends about sneezing and what a sneeze entails. Some well known superstitions that may have contributed to bringing "bless you" into common use are:

The heart stops when you sneeze (it doesn't), and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.
A sneeze is the expulsion of some sort of evil, and the phrase is meant to ward off the evil's re-entry.
Your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze, and saying "bless you" prevents your soul from being stolen by Satan or some evil spirit. Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil.
A sneeze is good luck and saying "bless you" is no more than recognition of the sneezer's luckiness.
Alternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began simply as a response for an event that wasn't well understood at the time.

Another urban legend states that you cannot open your eyes while you sneeze, or if you manage to your eyes will pop out. Both of the statements are untrue.

Answer 2

here is the real true reason.

In the middle ages, there was a smallpox epidemic, and when you sneezed it was a symptom. People were dying everywhere and it was very sad.

To get people to say a little prayer for the people with smallpox, because every little prayer does good in the World, the Pope told everyone to say "God bless you" when someone sneezed.

The custom has still lasted about 500 years later is all.

Answer 3

Although their are many cultural and historical reasons, I believe it is merely habit. When you were a child and sneezed someone said "bless you", this created a dictated response. Now when you hear a sneeze you repeat what you know to be the appropriate response. Much the same as hello and goodbye, you learned these were appropriate upon meeting and departing and repeat the behavior regardless of their importance or historical origin.

Answer 4

It comes from back when religion and manners was a staple in the community. The saying when someone sneeze was "God bless you".....they said this because when you sneezed it was an indication you were sick or not well. So they would say a the small prayer aloud, for God to bless you and make you better.

Answer 5

When you sneeze, something 'evil' could enter your body. So you say "Bless you!" to prevent this 'evil' from seizing you.

In Australia means: "take care"
In Germany means: "health"
I was told by one of my Asian friend, if you sneeze once, is no good, you might get sick, but if you sneeze three times or more
means somebody is thinking of you. Hope that helps!

Answer 6

Also it dates back to the Black Death/Plague in Medieval Europe. One a person sneezed it was seen as one of the first signs of the plague, so others would say 'bless you' or 'God bless you' when they heard the sneeze as they feared that person was infected.

Answer 7

At one time people believed a man's soul could be inadvertently thrust from his body by an explosive sneeze, thus "Bless you!" was a protective oath uttered to safeguard the temporarily expelled and vulnerable soul from being snatched up by Satan (who was always lurking nearby). The purpose of the oath was to cast a temporary shield over the flung-out soul which would protect it just long enough to regain the protection of the corporeal body.

Answer 8

I have heard people believed the soul leaves the body when they sneeze.

Answer 9

To sneeze again, so he can live longer to sneeze.

Answer 10

in old times they belived that when you sneezed you were exposing your soul, the devil could get in and take it. so as protection they said bless you.