you know people around you hear you, maybe it's just not there way... but a majority do , and sometimes people are just "too arrogent to say anything.... why? :( i say it :)
2007-08-14 14:27:34 · 19 answers · asked by ragincajun87123 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I say "bless you." I leave God out of it. Everyone has their own personal beliefs.
2007-08-14 20:01:13 · answer #1 · answered by starrrrgazer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It comes from an old belief that when you sneeze your soul is trying to escape your body. Hence, people around the sneezer would say, "God bless you" in an effort to keep the escaping soul in the person's body. So an atheist might be offended, but thats pretty extreme as far as I'm concerned. I'd say that a sensible person, atheist or not. Should appreciate the show of concern.
2007-08-14 14:40:40 · answer #2 · answered by phi_1350 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I ALWAYS say bless you, much to the dismay of the friends/family I am with, who think it is embarrassing to say bless you to strangers.
I only say bless you, because I am not religous, and religion is so controversial that I don't want to bring god into it.
I also wonder why more people don't do it! I love acting all powerful, to actually bless people. I especially love it when I don't know you it is, or the sneezer is far away. Then I just yell BLESS YOU! to everyone and no one in particular at the same time. I kind of love it.
so, for future sneezes which I will not be with you to witness, bless you.
2007-08-14 15:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why would it be arrogant not to say anything? No one in my office says "bless you" and we think nothing of it. It's a bodily function, so what. Though I've run into people out there that seem like they're offended if you don't tell them "bless you". Why?? I heard someone say once "I acknowledge your sneeze", which I thought was pretty funny.
2007-08-15 07:02:47 · answer #4 · answered by fishbulb 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I always say "Bless you" when I hear someone sneeze. When the sneezer is beside me or within earshot, I tell it to them directly. But when the said sneezer is at the far end of the room or not within hearing distance, I say "bless you" just the same, only softer and to no one in particular.
2007-08-14 15:19:14 · answer #5 · answered by Tammy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You never know what their belief is! They may not believe in a god! And they may be offended by it! I think it is wonder full when someone cares about not only another person,but a stranger! And i feel great when they say thank you! Take Care! You know,i try to say take care to others as much as possible. Hoping it will make them think that another person cares how they are going to be! Once again TAKE CARE!
2007-08-14 15:54:46 · answer #6 · answered by Bailey 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I always say 'bless you' and if I'm the one that sneezes, I say 'excuse me'. If someone is nice enough to say 'bless you' when I sneeze, I always respond with 'thank you'.
2007-08-14 15:04:32 · answer #7 · answered by Kallie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but I'm not sure of its origin.
It may have to do with beliefs associating sneezing with damnation or misery.
On the Simpsons, it said that when you sneeze, the soul tries to escape and saying God bless you crams it back in...lol, dunno if thats true tho!
It's good to say God bless you because it's good manners...so keep it up to brighten one's day when you get that opportunity.
2007-08-14 14:36:15 · answer #8 · answered by Jamaican Diva Loves MJ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i have read somewhere before, that people say "bless you" because whenever we sneeze..our heart stops pumping for a second....i don't say God bless you..bcoz i really don't mind that much on sneezing...it's just normal for people to sneeze..but when i sneezed i say excuse me...
God bless us!
2007-08-14 18:13:48 · answer #9 · answered by katalina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well people say that when you sneeze that you're taking the devil out with it, but who says GOD bless you these days? I just say bless you to be polite.
2007-08-14 14:35:32 · answer #10 · answered by kaizoku 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋