Get over it.
2006-12-01 09:47:20
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answer #1
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answered by jeepdrivr 4
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Man, you're an ungrateful &^%$, aren't you? If someone takes the time to wish you well, accept it with grace. The origins of that come at the time of the Black Plague in England and Europe. People who were afflicted, sneezed blood. When others saw this, they would say "Bless you," with the hopes that their suffering would be over and they would go to heaven soon. That is what I was told. Whatever the origins, it has continued, and if someone is nice enough to say it to you, accept it for the kindness with which it was meant, instead of being a jerk about it.
2006-12-01 09:37:49
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answer #2
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answered by bellegurl17 4
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People used to believe that illness was caused by demons, and that sneezing was a way of expelling the demons. Hence, the blessing after a sneeze. So don't be insulted, it's just an arachaic way of wishing you good health! And lighten up, getting that bent out of shape by a simple social ritual is really bad for your wellbeing.
2006-12-01 16:31:36
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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two ideas
1. sneezing use to be thought as something evil inside u and sneezing was a way of getting rid if it,
2. possibly originates from when the plague when sneezing was a sign that u had caught the plague and where likely to die so in this far more religious time people would bless u
2006-12-01 09:32:40
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answer #4
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answered by grahamralph2000 4
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Don't ask why, but it is common courtesy to acknowlede the fact that someone has sneezed. I HATE IT! I tend not to say anything - and people look at me like I'm rude. When I sneeze (I usually sneeze at least six times when I sneeze, about 30 second apart) I say thank you to the first "Bless you", thentell them I'm fine after the second. That usually stops them, and no one has to be rude.
2006-12-01 09:30:38
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answer #5
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answered by smellyfoot ™ 7
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lol, this is the atehist equivalent of politically correct feminism. Do you curse by saying "For Darwin's Sake!"?
ok, as you probably know this comes from the superstition that sneezing was a sign of the Devil taking over your body. but in the contemproary it is more a blessing of good health rather than the earlier superstition, people intend it to mean get well soon, as the Germanic Gutzundheit is translated as "good health to you" Try not to take it as a personal attack on your religious preference or lack thereof.
2006-12-01 09:31:29
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answer #6
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answered by jleslie4585 5
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when you sneeze, your heart stops momentarily cause some of the heart and chest muscles sre commandeered during the sneezing action, in the process you also stop breathing momentarily and involuntarily and in the olden days they said 'bless you' which merely meant 'favoured are you!' to have survived two death inducing incidents like a heart stoppage and breathing stoppage.
It was therefore initially founded in a desire to wish you well .........and had absolutely nothing to do with religion .....any kind of religion for that matter.
2006-12-01 11:41:53
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answer #7
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answered by onukpa 3
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I think you're making more of it than it really is.
Nobody is trying to force religion on you. Man, it's just words people put together for this situation.
It doesn't mean anything. Ok, it doesn't mean any more than saying to you= "How are you doing?" This question doesn't mean they want a clinical report on your physical status from your doctor. It is just a greeting everybody uses.
The Bless you thing isn't any different. Doesn't mean they are trying to convert you to some religion.
2006-12-01 16:01:27
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answer #8
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answered by Gnome 6
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Reflex. It's a social convention, and I've known some atheists and agnostics who pop out with a bless you.
It's not a trend. It's a social nicety that transcends its religious origin. Be nice back, understand that it's either reflex or benign intent.
And wipe your nose.
2006-12-01 09:33:54
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Some people say it because of superstition or habit, and I know that many people don't mean it in a religious way. Try to accept the sentiment, and understand that rituals and courtesies bind us together. Lastly, keep in mind that you probably do something that annoys others as well.
2006-12-01 09:38:37
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answer #10
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answered by Saph 4
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I totally agree with you. I just don't say anything, not giving a **** about their expecting a reply. If they accuse me of being rude, I tell them they are the guilty party for volunteering the unsolicited stupid "bless" and imposing on me a perceived need to acknowledge and being accusatory if I refuse to say anything.
2006-12-01 11:48:54
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answer #11
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answered by Anonymous
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