It’s funny, but unfortunately it fails the original intent of the response—which is to wish good health (originally of the soul) on the person doing the sneezing.
Unfortunately I cant think of a single-english-word response for “be healthy!” that doesn’t sound dumb...
perhaps the foreign-language versions would work:
santé (french) or even genki (japanese)
I couldn’t agree more. I find it moderately offensive when someone says, “Bless you,” when I sneeze. First, because of the religious implications, second, because they certainly haven’t thought before speaking, and third, because it’s never crossed their minds that I COULD be offended by unthinking, religious invocations.
It doesn’t offend me when other people say it. It’s true that they aren’t thinking—it’s just a social pleasantry, people don’t often think about those! -- but it’s meant in a nice way. Also, perhaps this is a cultural difference (I’m in the relatively irreligious UK), but I think most people who say it here don’t mean it as a religious invocation in the slightest. I just don’t particularly like expressing that connotation myself.
It’s funny, but unfortunately it fails the original intent of the response—which is to wish good health (originally of the soul) on the person doing the sneezing.
Is it really necessary to wish good health on the soul of people who sneeze? I took the ‘Ducks!’ suggestion to be basically completely indifferent to the existing trigger.
Not necessary, anymore, no. I’d consider the modern-day intention behind saying something seems to be “I noticed you sneezed, I hope you’re ok and not coming down with anything”.
I could see “ducks” generating hostility and/or confusion, if it’s obvious that you’re using this in place of “Bless You / Gesundheit”. This is more down to just people being weird, though; they also occasionally get upset or confused by me saying “Happy Hanukkah!” at the appropriate time of year.
My personal opinion is to not really care unless I am, say, at work and suspect my boss or co-workers might be offended enough to result in an HR issue, but it’s probably worth being aware of.
It’s funny, but unfortunately it fails the original intent of the response—which is to wish good health (originally of the soul) on the person doing the sneezing.
Unfortunately I cant think of a single-english-word response for “be healthy!” that doesn’t sound dumb...
perhaps the foreign-language versions would work: santé (french) or even genki (japanese)
I usually say “Gesundheit”, partly because I feel slightly uncomfortable with the connotations of “bless you”.
I couldn’t agree more. I find it moderately offensive when someone says, “Bless you,” when I sneeze. First, because of the religious implications, second, because they certainly haven’t thought before speaking, and third, because it’s never crossed their minds that I COULD be offended by unthinking, religious invocations.
It doesn’t offend me when other people say it. It’s true that they aren’t thinking—it’s just a social pleasantry, people don’t often think about those! -- but it’s meant in a nice way. Also, perhaps this is a cultural difference (I’m in the relatively irreligious UK), but I think most people who say it here don’t mean it as a religious invocation in the slightest. I just don’t particularly like expressing that connotation myself.
I hear Salud (Spanish) occasionally. A bit easier on the tongue than Gesundheit.
Is it really necessary to wish good health on the soul of people who sneeze? I took the ‘Ducks!’ suggestion to be basically completely indifferent to the existing trigger.
Not necessary, anymore, no. I’d consider the modern-day intention behind saying something seems to be “I noticed you sneezed, I hope you’re ok and not coming down with anything”.
I could see “ducks” generating hostility and/or confusion, if it’s obvious that you’re using this in place of “Bless You / Gesundheit”. This is more down to just people being weird, though; they also occasionally get upset or confused by me saying “Happy Hanukkah!” at the appropriate time of year.
My personal opinion is to not really care unless I am, say, at work and suspect my boss or co-workers might be offended enough to result in an HR issue, but it’s probably worth being aware of.