Why do we say 'bless you' after a sneeze, and what's more, why do we thank the person who said, 'bless you?'

Answer 1

My answer's kind of like svaha's; I always thought there was some medieval belief that a sneeze rid the body of demons, and "bless you" was an acknowledgement of this. Today people generally say it because people have "always" said it; they don't stop to think about why.

I had a coworker who sat quietly while someone else had a sneezing mini-fit. When the sneezer finished, my coworker said, "You get rid of them demons yet?"

Answer 2

Well, this is the story I always heard.

In past, it was believed that when you sneezed or coughed your soul was trying to leave the body (probably was a myth started during the plagues). If you didn't say bless you, the person's soul could be taken by a demon (think illness, not a literal demon) and possesion or death was soon to follow.

Fun little note: (as though talking about the Plague era is joy enough :P) That is also start of the "ring around the posey's" song. The sweet scents of the flowers were thought to ward off the illness or at the very least, ward of the stench of death. "Achoo Achoo (some places say Ashes Ashes but it was originally meant to represent the sneezing present as an early symptom) and we all fall down" Gruesome, no?

Answer 3

1) The person may be "coming down with something," and good wishes for their health, or even prayers, are appropriate.

2) It's nice to be blessed. It's nice that someone cares.

Answer 4

In addition to the above answerers, someone who blesses you after sneezing is being kind, not trying to proselytize you. You thank them for their social kindness.
You could request that they say "Gesundheit" instead-- German for "to your health".

Answer 5

When you sneeze your heart momentarily stops beating, And they say bless you because your still alive, And you say thank you for them blessing the fact that you lived

Answer 6

during the dark ages...the black plauge started with "cold-like" symptoms: sneezing, coughing, sore throat. the people would hear/see someone sneeze and immediatly follow that with "may God Bless you"--as in "hope you don't die"

Answer 7

We say bless you after someone sneezes because your heart stops and they bless you so that you don't die. We thank some one for blessing you after ward because they care enough about you that they don't want to see you die.

Answer 8

It is from greek times. It was believed your soul was trying to escape. By saying bless you it kept your soul in your body. I guess we say thanks becasue it is the polite thing to do.

Answer 9

Its a way of being Polite ( have you ever been Polite?) What would you say? F U ????? Go learn some manners!!!

Answer 10

hah i heard from someone that when you sneeze, your heart stops for a second, so theres a chance you could die. so people say bless you and you are being polite by saying thanks...