What should an atheist say when someone sneezes?

Question

Is it inappropriate to say "bless you"?

Answer 1

"Gesundheit!"

Answer 2

It isn't inappropriate, as it's a largely meaningless gesture.

As Seinfeld says "Why not say something to make them feel better? Like 'You are SOOO good lookin'!'?"

But when I was a young atheist, I decided to always say the German for "good health" -- which I can't spell AT ALL, but which the spell checker offered "gesundheit".

This is what I say for the first 3 sneezes; I then warn the person (taking a page from Cheers, and, yes, I've watched WAY too much TV in my life): after 3, it's "Stuff a sock in it."

Answer 3

Ohhh yours is a question that I as a atheist struggled with for years. I now just say "bless you" I do not say the GOD part. For a time I said nothing but I felt so rude... I feel somewhat fake for saying "bless you" But I guess it's feels better than being perceived as rude.
A few of my coworkers that I know I am a atheist have called me on the "bless you ' thing too... So for them I say NOTHING.

Answer 4

Eeewww, i just sneezed! spit dripped down my arm. Yuck!

I say Bless You. though I'm not religious, but the other person may be. so it's politeness.
If the sneezer was Jewish, or Hindi, or Wiccan for example I'd like to say the equivalent of bless you but in their faith language. But i don't know the equivalents, also religion is becoming a more hidden thing so you will be unlikely to know what religion the sneezer was, unless they happened to be dressed traditionally.

Answer 5

Bless you.

Bless is a secluar word. You can be blessed with good luck.

(God) bless you, originated because sneezing was the first sign of infection with the "black death".

As in the nursery rhyme "Ring-a-ring-a-roses"

so it is appropriate to wish someone to be blessed with good fortune, when they sneeze.

Answer 6

Not really.

First, I know atheists who will say "God" or "Oh my god" or something like that, which I find totally weird....

With this, though, it is considered impolite to say nothing. The phrase "bless you" has gone from being a religious actual blessing, in that case, to a polite phrase of concern. Nobody assumes that because someone says "Bless you" when another person sneezes, they are making any sort of reference to a divine power, even though that's how the phrase originated from..

If you feel absolutely against saying it, saying something like "Are you okay?" or something like that would be fine.

Answer 7

I think that no matter what it meant its like any other manner. You do it out of courtesy, consideration, politeness; it’s nothing more than a gesture of good will. I say it, not because I want god to bless them but just because it’s now a simple gesture of politeness.
Not doing it since it is part of popular culture might lead the person in your company to believe you do not value them or wish them well. Silly? Probably yes, but it’s a pretty simple gesture.
I value manners and think they are important, as is any courtesy towards people in your company

Answer 8

I'm atheist and I say bless you. It's more of a polite courtessy than a religion thing. You could also, if you know the person, say stuff like, "nice one" or "dead yet?". Also, there's nothing wrong with not saying anything. :)

Answer 9

I am an athiest . I work in a dusty environment, I sneeze 50 times a day and a co-worker says bless you EVERY TIME!! i swear sometimes i wanna clock her in the head. I know shes being sweet, but every time she says bless you, i feel obliged to say thank you.
I , too never got the point of the bless you thing.sounds like 17th centrey superstition to me.
Also whats up with saying "your welcome" ????? welcome to what? or where?
I get thats its a manners thing , so yes i do it too, but the question is why do we do this?

Answer 10

It is not inappropriate for an atheist to say bless you. I say it. People take it as a kindness, plain and simple.

Answer 11

Shut up. That's what I'd say. I had a friend in high school who said that when people sneezed and it's hilarious. But, people in wheel chairs say "let's go for a walk" in stead on roll. And the blind say "see you later instead of "hear you later", so it's probably fine.