I’m NOT religious in anyway, so I actually find it offensive. You have to understand that I grew up in Mexico and when someone sneezes, no one says "Bless You" in Spanish; People say, "Salud" which means, "Health". What about when someone sneezes? I can’t tell them "Bless You" either. What do YOU think?
Well i would say "Thank you." Because the term "bless you" comes from, the old belief that as you sneeze your heart stops briefly, and people say "god bless you" or "bless you" as a way to show blessing for your health.
So either way Salud or Bless you it’s just nice to say, "Thank you"
me see monkey ooo
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Hey, I get confused too. I just say thanks when they say bless you and then leave em alone if they sneeze.
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Rip out their heart
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yes its just the polite thing to do
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you says ‘thx’
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say gazunhiet. or whatever how its spelled. and when they say bless you. just smile.
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At least wipe your snot off of their shirt.
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the person blessing you is being polite…not intending to offend you. you should at least (religious belief or not) thank the thought of kindness.
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They are just trying to be polite, more than religious.
The nice thing would be to say "Thank you".
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I guess so , would be nice, like y ou could say thank you or something.
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It’s a societal thing. Don’t expect to go to France and have them speak your language when you don’t know their language. Besides they mean the best. If they didn’t say anything, that might be worse that no one acknowledges you.
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Well i would say "Thank you." Because the term "bless you" comes from, the old belief that as you sneeze your heart stops briefly, and people say "god bless you" or "bless you" as a way to show blessing for your health.
So either way Salud or Bless you it’s just nice to say, "Thank you"
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I’m not religious either. Just say thank you if it is a nice person or a hot girl otherwise grunt appreciatively.
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I think you’re a rude SOB. If someone offers you a pleasantry, an age old custom, you should be courteous. You’re making a big deal out of nothing and really . . . it’s nothing to sneeze at!
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As common courtesty, proper etiquette, and gratitude…YES! How can you find it offensive? Be glad that someone was nice to you. Just say "thank you." That’s all you have to do.
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I’m not religious either but bless you is a form of politeness. I don’t think it’s actually that religious since a lot of people say it. You should say thank you because you would seem rude if you don’t since they don’t know that you find it offensive.
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if they are too lazy to include God in the sentence and who says He is going to bless in the first place then don’t acknowledge.
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Try saying "thank you" and realize no one is trying to convert you to religion, there just being polite..
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it’s not a religious thing, it’s a matter of courtesy… just say thank you and forget what a pretentious moron you’re acting like… by the way, i’m an athiest so i notice these things just as you do… lighten up a bit
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I would thank them anyway. They’re being polite enough to acknowledge that you sneezed to begin with, so a simple thank you shouldn’t be too painful for you to squeeze out.
Personally, when I "bless people" for sneezing…it’s not a religious thing for me. It’s more a habit than anything. I’m not praying to God that they won’t die when they sneeze or anything, lol. Just the way I was raised. It’s the people who say "gezundheidt" (I’m sure I butchered the spelling of that one!) who freak me out. I don’t know why. I guess I’m weird like that.
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omigod…chill dude its an expression kinda thing. im not religious but do i bitchh about that kinda stuff NO.
CHILL!!!!
Hope this helped!!
2pts!!!
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You can be polite, or you can chose not to be polite.
The polite thing to say is…’Thank You’.
In whatever language.
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I dont think you should take it that literally. Its basically saying the same thing as "health" in that when people say it theyre hoping that you are okay. Even if you are not religious, the person saying it might be, so there’s no need to get into an argument over a general statement. Just say thank you and be glad that they even said it to you in the first place =)
Its like when people are mad and they say "JESUS!". Some people dont believe in Jesus as a religious figure, but they say it just because its more of an expression than a literal word.
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im mexican and i still only say salud when they say it to me i say gracias or thank you
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here’s an idea go back to Mexico. here in America we use bless you because America was founded on belief in God.
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There’s a certain social contract in sneezing; if you say "bless you" and the other person doesn’t acknowledge it, you haven’t fulfilled the contract and it’s just sort of left hanging there.
I’m not a religious sort either but since most people say "bless you" out of habit more than anything else, it doesn’t kill me to acknowledge them. After all, it’s not like they’re trying to convert you because you sneezed.
And, since people who sneeze tend to expect you to say something (it’s the social contract, see!), I usually say "Gesundheit", which (like "salud") means "good health."
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It has no religious meaning anymore, just a form of courteousness. Say or don’t say what you want.
It started from people saying it to keep evil spirits out of your heart when it stopped while people sneezed.
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I don’t think they are trying to offend you by saying "Bless you", they are just trying to be polite. You can say thanks and keep going or if you’re offended by it then you could speak to them about it if it’s people you see often like at work or something. I’d probably let it go otherwise and just accept that people who say "Bless you" to someone who sneezes don’t stop to think that they might actually offend the person they say it to.
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"Salud" and "Bless You" are almost synonymous in this context. I know literally it means "health", and you would think that "bless you" would be strictly religious, but I believe it’s purpose is to wish good health upon someone. If you are seriously offended by the statement still, you should not acknowledge it, but realize many of the individuals saying "bless you" are probably not very religious either, it’s just a common courtesy. Also, if you want to have good manners, a simple "thank you", is acceptable response.
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I think the polite thing to do is say thank you. Why would you be offended if someone said "bless you" to you? Blessings don’t necessarily have to be religious. If you hear someone sneeze, just ignore it if it offends you so much to say bless you, or say Salud. People will ask you what it means, and it will be a good conversation starter.
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At least a slight acknowledgment is nice.
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I say you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable!!!
If your a polite person be polite… if not be a well u know!
You get my meaning!
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Not being of spanish heritage, when one sneezes and they hear the customary "salud" is nothing said acknowledging the wish of good health? Such as "gracias" ? I would think that wish is recognized and appreciated…same thing when someones says "god bless you" or the simplified version of "bless you", the polite thing to do is say thank you and keep going about your business.
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Because you are from another country, a "thank you" should suffice just fine.
If others ask why you say "Salud" when they sneeze, just let them know that in your country it means "health." Either they will thank you, or they will be rude and walk away.
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Bless you comes from the days when people thought that you were expelling demons when you sneezed. You may be offended that people think you have demons that need to come out , but nobody really believes that any more, so look at the humour in it, rather than taking things too seriously.
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Simply say Thank you. If someone sneezes say Salud. If it upsets them, oh well… It is the same as when someone says Gadzunheidt (or however it is spelled) instead of bless you. And Bless you isn’t necessarily religious, I’m not very religious and I still say bless you. I also say gadzunheit too
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Yup you’re being a bit oversensitive. Just say thank you. It’s only a form of showing concern which is the same thing as Salud.
If I were in Mexico and somebody said "Salud" when I sneezed, I’d just be happy that they were being friendly to me, and wouldn’t worry about the origins of the word they were using.
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Don’t look into it so much. Just say "Thank you" and go about your day. It’s only the polite thing to do or you’ll look like a rude jerk.
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I heard that the reason people started to say god bless you or bless you when someone sneezes is because your heart stops when you sneeze.
If someone blesses you or says salud it is the same thing. I don’t say it but if someone says it to me I thank them.
Regardless of your belief a "bless you" should not cause offense.
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I too hate this "etiquette" to say "Bless You". BUT I always smile or say "Thanks" in reply to be nice. They mean it in the best way.
It came about during the plague because if you sneezed, you might have the plague.
These days, it is to "ward off" a cold I guess.
I sometimes say "gazuntheit" (bad spelling, I am not German) but I don’t like that either.
I love that you say "Salud" meaning Health – can I use that too? Thanks!!
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Yes, with a Thank You, you don’t have to be religious, it’s just a response to their good manners in "blessing" you. Do you know how saying "Bless you" after a sneeze came about? If not, contact me to find out.
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well a physical therapist told me that when your sneezing actually your heart stops beating and that’s definitely why people are saying that god would bless you. it’s like that their praying that your heart will beat again. so i guess it would be better to acknowledge them, anyway it’s a polite thing to do.
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