I know that there are several theories about why we do say it, but whichever one is true, nobody is dying these days when they sneeze. It just seems like a funny thing to do.
2007-03-13 10:07:05 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Nowadays, it is considered good manners.
2007-03-13 10:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by Julia B 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are all incorrect. The correct answer is:
In English-speaking countries and westernized societies, it is common for at least one person to say "God bless you" (or just "Bless you") after someone sneezes. This tradition originates from the Middle Ages, when it was believed that when one sneezed, the heart stops, the soul left the body and could be snatched by an evil spirit.
Today, it is said mostly in the spirit of good manners and is usually followed by the sneezer saying 'Thank you'. Also, when the Scarlet Fever broke out for the first time, people would often die as a result, people then began saying God bless you, in the hope that they would survive.
In English speaking countries, the German word "Gesundheit" (which means health) is occasionally said after a sneeze instead of "bless you." In the Spanish language, one says "Salud" (the u being an "oo" sound), which also means health.
NOW that is the real reason of why WE still, to this day, say "bless you" after someone sneezes.
That's all.
2007-03-13 17:32:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually NO.
Until you meet the person's family who REALLY DID DIE then I suggest that you probably don't understand the meaning.
I don't think we need a "reason" to say God Bless You as it should be said to everyone on a continuing basis. Sometimes its nice just to hear that phrase no matter what the situation.
It's not really funny, in my opinion, I think its awesome and I hope you say it more often then just upon the sneeze and heart stoppage of a stranger.
........think about it and GOD BLESS YOU......
2007-03-13 17:18:03 · answer #3 · answered by MsEagleTX 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is too much work for you, don't say it. If you truly don't give a damn about other people, then don't extend the courtesy.
It is similar to holding a door for someone behind you, saying good morning to anyone that you make eyer contact with, standing up when you meet someone or giving up your seat for an elder, pregnant woman, or handicapped person...it is a courtesy not a law.
So far, no laws say that you must be courteous. It is just a matter of maturity, etiquette and good manners that we are taught as children.
2007-03-13 18:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. God said that He "placed eternity in our hearts", so all of us, believers and non-believers alike are aware of God on some level. Most of us invoke His name unconsciously in a variety of ways which supports what I just said. Who hasn't exclaimed, "Oh my God!" when they see something remarkable and who, even the now famous atheist Michael Newdow, hasn't called out to God in a dire situation? Even non-religious people used to have respect for God even if they didn't worship Him. The majority of Americans, up until the last half of the 20th century had a "kinder, gentler" attitude about God and blessing someone when they sneezed acted as a prompt to bless one another as we always should. It wasn't as inane as it seems now to many people. Invoking God's name on someone else's behalf is actually a very powerful thing to do. So in saying, "God bless you" when someone sneezes, you may actually be doing them a great favor.
2007-03-13 17:23:26 · answer #5 · answered by Melanie L RN 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I read in a book that phrase got started inmedieval times. They thought when some sneezed, they were expelling demons. Therefore they said 'God Bless You' to help the demons go away.
2007-03-13 17:16:55 · answer #6 · answered by DOT 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's supposedly because the heart stops for a moment when we sneeze but I don't really know if it's true or not. We have been conditioned to say it for some reason.
2007-03-13 17:15:29 · answer #7 · answered by meganzopf 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just extending to what Mr. Right Joe B said.
Yes it is biologically proven that our heart skips a beat when we sneeze. So we kind of equate it a "being dead state" since doctors check heart beat to declare someone dead.
As per mythology, its even said that one dies when their blessings are over orrr bad deeds exceed good deeds. Thats why we praying for a man on death bed to bless him more at that time. The act of saying "Bless you" is increasing to one's share of blessings, hoping his/her heart would start beating again after sneezing.
I think its really sweeeeeet. Yes its more of a manner these days but i smile every time I think of this reasoning. Thot I wud share. :-)
2007-03-13 18:59:18 · answer #8 · answered by Charmer 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually it came from the old belief that your soul actually jumps out of your body when you sneeze. For that brief moment your soul is "up for grabs" . So someone is supposed to say bless you to save your soul from the devil. ( I did not make this up)
2007-03-13 17:26:54 · answer #9 · answered by Joshua S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. When you sneeze, your heart skips a beat.. so its kind of scary if you think about it. So people say god bless you.
2007-03-13 18:36:28 · answer #10 · answered by sellatieeat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Social engineering proud at work.
The world would be a darker place without somekind of post-sneeze salutation
2007-03-13 17:09:48 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋