Aaaaachoo!!!!!

[Dawa Lhamo]

Ok, so, yesterday, I was walking with my roommate after class, and I sneezed. Immediately afterward, I said "bless me". (it's normal for me to say this.) So, anyway, my roommate asked me why I say "bless me" or "bless you" for that matter, if I'm not a Christian.

I'm aware that the origins of this custom come from the idea that the breath is/is associated with the spirit/soul, and that the soul flies out momentarily when one sneezes, and so to avoid any pesky demons taking advantage of this situation, one wards them off with a well-placed "bless you". The underlying concepts don't seem Christian to me. In fact, they seem like the kind of concepts associated with "primitive religion". This custom isn't Christian in origin, is it?

While I don't rationally think a demon is going to take/inhabit my soul if I sneeze without blessing, I still cling to that convention and say "bless me" if no one says "bless you" to me when I sneeze. I think it's just polite to say "bless you" and for myself, well, it's like throwing salt over your left shoulder, it's just something I do...

Any thoughts on this? Do you say "bless you"?

In the end, I replied that I am comfortable receiving all manner of blessings from all religions, and I was taught never to turn down a blessing. (My parents had us all blessed by people of many different religions.) So, with the idea that a blessing never hurt anyone, I say "bless you" or "bless me"...

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[StarSpiral]

While "bless you" does come from Christian superstition it is also a common cultural curtesory and practice. It's ingrained since we're little and comes as automatically as "Thank you" and answering "How are you?" with "Fine". Just because we've converted to Paganism doesn't mean we've separated from our cultural upbringing or that we want to (I still celebrate Christmas).
That being said I've switched to saying "Gesundheit" which means "good health" in German.

Here is an article from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze)

[Nucleous]

I've gotten the same questions, and replied in similar ways, with the addition of,"it's become more of a common curtisy these days".

Some more ways to say "bless you", please excuse the horrofic, phonetic spelling!:
Budya starovwe--Russian
Obsid Omen--Latin
Guzundheit--German

[Jenne]

While "bless you" does come from Christian superstition it is also a common cultural curtesory and practice. It's ingrained since we're little and comes as automatically as "Thank you" and answering "How are you?" with "Fine". Just because we've converted to Paganism doesn't mean we've separated from our cultural upbringing or that we want to (I still celebrate Christmas).
That being said I've switched to saying "Gesundheit" which means "good health" in German.

Here is an article from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze)
Exactly. It's a cultural phenomenon, not just a spiritual practice/superstition anymore. So, as a cultural more, you're almost OBLIGATED to say "bless you" when people sneeze. I also used to say "bless me"--or actually, I still do, but since I learned French, I changed it to "Blesse-moi" lol.

Send your roomie the link above. ;)

[Xentor]

I say "gezondheid" but that's because I'm Dutch.

I agree with the idea that "bless you" is culturally standardised. Religion has little to do with it. However, one could retort, "Do you think only your god can bless?".

[Xander67]

It is a conditioned response for me, I saw the thread title lol

BLESS YOU!!!


it is just something we always said when someone sneezed in class, home, etc...
I was reading where the conditioned response stems from the belief that when you sneeze, your soul goes on a short trip.. so it is like saying have a safe trip...

Did you ever notice that you have to shut your eyes in that instant you actually sneeze? I tried to keep my eyes from shutting, it just aint happening

[hilary.]

Did you ever notice that you have to shut your eyes in that instant you actually sneeze? I tried to keep my eyes from shutting, it just aint happening

This becomes even more fun if you sneeze whilst driving :bug:

[Londubh]

I say 'bless you' to acquaintances as a courtesy, because they expect it.

I say 'knock it off!' to people I know.

It was also a custom during the Middle Ages to say 'bless you' when someone sneezed because back then if you started to get sick, well, you probably died.

So I say 'knock it off' as an endearment.

[Lunacie]

Here is an interesting essay on sneezing and blessings. http://www.oldwivestales.net/questions-answers/0112.html

[Kitfox]

I like it. Makes me feel like somebody had the time to notice that I sneezed and cared enough to say something.

I say "bless you" as well. I always think I'm blessing their health, wishing them allergy free days and lots of kleenex if they don't get them.

[gwendar]

I say "bless you/me," "excuse me," or "Gesundheit," out of courtesy, I suppose.

[Luminessence]

I don't see anything wrong with saying "bless you." First of all, like others have said, it's a social custom, and I don't think it has religious connotations for most people. Second, what could be bad about a blessing?

[Shana-chan]

I was told that the whole 'Bless you' thing originally started during the witch era (Salem and all that), but I'm certain it was in place before that! Although I doubt the men said it to women, but I'm sure lower level women said it to each other.. <.< ^_^;;;;