In my book, you say excuse me when you burp or experience flatulence. NOT WHEN YOU SNEEZE! Sneezing is NOT offensive. It is a neutral action that offends NO ONE! So stop saying excuse me because it is just lame. What do YOU think?
2007-01-23 06:20:16 · 26 answers · asked by Picasso 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
it's just a nice thing to do...i love sneezing.
2007-01-23 06:28:54 · answer #1 · answered by atreyu17244 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say excuse me when I sneeze because I am expelling liquid mucous into the air and I want folks to know I was unable to stifle it. I might also be interrupting someone who is speaking, or the quiet and solitude of others(as in a library). But I'm also being apologetic to others around me because a sneeze is actually an exploding tickle, and I'm momentarily having more fun than they.
M
2007-01-23 06:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do say "excuse me" because a sneeze is an unexpected and often loud noise that might have startled people around me, so I am basically apologizing for the interruption. The spreading of germs and mist from my body and into communal space is also regretful.
So, what if you farted while sneezing? In your mind, that would justify an "excuse me"? The whole purpose of manners is to try to make society a nicer place. Otherwise, we'd still be in caves, grabbing handfuls of food from a communal fire ring, grunting in self-indulgent, hedonistic free-for-all's.
2007-01-23 06:47:41 · answer #3 · answered by oolishfay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People say "excuse me" when they sneeze because the act of sneezing causes germs to be expelled at great speeds into the air. People are apologizing for (possibly) infecting others.
2007-01-23 06:23:45 · answer #4 · answered by Mike J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you sneeze, your body is releasing millions of germs into the air which someone else can breathe in. I'm not sure but I think that warrants an "excuse me." What I really don't understand is a "bless you" after you sneeze........
2007-01-23 06:43:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back when the Plague was killing thousands of people, they used to say bless you when ppl sneezed because they might be infected and dying. The same applies today when you sneeze. I want to say excuse me, because if I sneeze in your general vicinity I want you to know I am not trying to deliberately get you ill.
2007-01-23 06:27:27 · answer #6 · answered by valerie s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it gets ANNOYING. Have you ever been around someone that sneezes every 10 seconds, especially when you are taking a midterm or final? In my mind, I'm telling them to STOP SNEEZING ALREADY. I know they can't help it, but it sure is super annoying.
2007-01-23 06:25:54 · answer #7 · answered by Bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People say excuse me when they sneeze because they are spreading their germs full force and anyone breathing in the room is going to breathe them in.
2007-01-23 06:22:50 · answer #8 · answered by ehrlich 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a nice thing to do because you are getting germs everywhere. If you don't cover your mouth it's offensive, who wants to be sneezed on.
2007-01-23 06:28:52 · answer #9 · answered by melfred_20 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is the reaction for making a loud noise. I know in my profession it is an apology for the interruption not for the act of sneezing.
2007-01-23 06:25:15 · answer #10 · answered by D Marie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You dont think sneezing is offensive? YUCK. How would you like it if some dude at McDonalds sneezed all over your food as he handed it to you?
2007-01-23 06:23:51 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋