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'Gesundheit', 'bless ya' are stupid and should be eradicated :)
- Thread starter floyde
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Just to make it a bit clearer, I'm obviously exaggerating here and also half-joking about this. I don't have that big a problem with it except that I'd like to not be labeled as impolite if I don't say it. Also, my biggest complaint is the "thanks" part, because sneezing for me is a demanding physical activity. The last thing I want to do is speak after I've gone through that ordeal. Sometimes it actually hurts when I sneeze 
I'd be ok with it if we also had a phrase for when people farted.
... "WHO TOOTED!?
"
Well if we're not going to be polite enough to say "bless you" when someone sneezes just so they can avoid the "thank you" response let's go the full hog. We should also avoid the following so people don't have the inconvenience of polite response as well:-
- don't give your seat on the bus to a pregnant woman, she'll only have to say thank you
- don't say thank you when someone gives you a gift, you're forcing them to say "you're welcome"
- don't give up your seat on the train for an elderly person, they may feel obliged to say thank you (how inconvenient for them)
- let's stop Mother's Day, why should we celebrate the fact that someone gave birth to us? We never asked to be born.
- If you said something to someone they misunderstood and were offended by it, don't say sorry it's their fault they didn't know what you were thinking.
- If you accidentally bump into someone on a crowded street don't apologise, they should have watched where they were going in the first place.
- Ban Christmas. What about all those non-Christians who live in our countries who will be offended by this national holiday?
- don't give your seat on the bus to a pregnant woman, she'll only have to say thank you
- don't say thank you when someone gives you a gift, you're forcing them to say "you're welcome"
- don't give up your seat on the train for an elderly person, they may feel obliged to say thank you (how inconvenient for them)
- let's stop Mother's Day, why should we celebrate the fact that someone gave birth to us? We never asked to be born.
- If you said something to someone they misunderstood and were offended by it, don't say sorry it's their fault they didn't know what you were thinking.
- If you accidentally bump into someone on a crowded street don't apologise, they should have watched where they were going in the first place.
- Ban Christmas. What about all those non-Christians who live in our countries who will be offended by this national holiday?
Bern: I hope you understand that none of what you listed actually reflects sincere gratitude. The problem here is not the thought. I appreciate the politeness and the thought. It's just the phrasing of this particular instance where it isn't.... neutral enough for my tastes.
Of course I understand my gripe is not the same as floyde's, but while we're on the subject...
irmongoose
Of course I understand my gripe is not the same as floyde's, but while we're on the subject...
irmongoose
I'll second that.
As far as passing gas, it is somewhat assumed that that is a controlled outburst that one should control and save for an opportune moment in private or seek out such a place, whereas sneezing is considered involuntary and far more spontaneous.
...
Wait, but it's not like that. All of those things have a purpose and multiple benefits. If I give my seat to a pregnant woman, she'll avoid physical stress that could harm her and her child. If I say thank you to someone who gave me a gift, I'll show my appreciation for that person. On the other hand, if I say gesundheit, I will accomplish nothing at all (except maybe forcing that person to speak in circumstances where it is very uncomfortable to speak [for some]). So if it is impolite to not say anything when a person sneezes, shouldn't I say something when someone farts? If I'm in a public restroom and I hear something splash on the toilet next to me, should I say something to attempt to improve that person's digestion?
Anyway, it's not an anti-religious thing either. In spanish it doesn't have religious connotations.
....If I'm in a public restroom and I hear something splash on the toilet next to me, should I say something to attempt to improve that person's digestion?
Well you would be in a restroom so would you not expect to hear those kind of sounds???
My point is the "bless you" when someone sneezes is a polite gesture and the "thank you" response is also. What is so bad about a little social politeness that people have decided it's inconvenient? If more people were a little more polite these days rather then regarding good social gestures as personally inconvenient, then maybe we wouldn't have half the troubles we do.
I can't speak for the OP, but I am questioning the validity of the gesture itself. Sneezing is basically not an act that merits any politeness from anyone. Mother's Day, giving a seat to a pregnant woman on the bus, those are actual acts of kindness, and thus merit an appropriate response. Sneezing doesn't. That is the crux of the argument.
irmongoose
irmongoose
The assumption that "passing gas" is completely voluntary is so unfair.
irmongoose
I didn't say completely voluntary. But most of the time you can control when and where to some degree and find an good place. There are muscles down there.
I've been ignoring that knee-jerk reflex to say 'bless you' or some other such meaningless cack for quite a few years now. It's a relief. However my knee-jerk reaction to a sneeze on the train [or other confined space] is to give them a dirty look like "I hope you didn't just get me sick, you diseased asstard" and briefly consider moving seats or breathing through my sleeve or something.
They could be sneezing because the suns in their eyes, of course. That happens to me a lot, even when I'm not diseased.
I've been ignoring that knee-jerk reflex to say 'bless you' or some other such meaningless cack for quite a few years now. It's a relief. However my knee-jerk reaction to a sneeze on the train [or other confined space] is to give them a dirty look like "I hope you didn't just get me sick, you diseased asstard" and briefly consider moving seats or breathing through my sleeve or something.
Shall I repeat it for your sake.
"Matching 'tars now. mmmmmmm. Isn't it like almost midnight. Tell me you two have more erotic things you could be doing at this hour."
Fair enough. But I have been bashed by my sister a number of times when I completely could not control it...
Still hurts me to this day. Her reaction, I mean.
irmongoose
There's nothing insidious about my germs, I'll have you know. They're quite upfront about their disease spreading potential.LIES! You're spreading insidious germs, you can't fool me!
Well I'm in favor of politeness as well. I just don't think this particular gesture serves any purpose. I'd rather be polite in cases in which I can actually help out another person.
You've obviously never tried yoga after eating a nice bowl of mexican-spiced beans
Anyway, I'm joking here, don't take it too seriously. This was meant to be a funny rant
This is such a moronic, inane thing to create a post about. It's just an old tradition that evolved out of superstition, and it became polite. The reason people keep doing it is to show some sort of care for someone. It's glaringly obvious when someone sneezes and no one says "bless you".
Oh, and who cares? It's not like it matters either way really.
Oh, and who cares? It's not like it matters either way really.
This one is far worse, IMO, because it suggests indifference, or at best, grudging compliance. It is not a substitute for "with pleasure."
I was partially kidding. I don't say either to a sneezer, but I do often say 'thanks' when someone says either to me... especially if they're a stranger. I'm a sucker for random acts of kindness.
I'm not sure what it's like over in the U.S. but people in Sydney refuse to say "excuse me" when they are getting out of a crowded train (as an example). Instead they will elbow and shove their way through. I asked someone why do people not say excuse me in such a situation and the reply was because it is rude to do so Odd I actually find it more impolite be shoved in my side by a stranger's elbow rather than let me know they're trying to get through with a simple "excuse me please".
If someone says "bless you" when I sneeze I have absolutely no problems with it and will gladly respond with a "thank you" and a smile.
Odd I actually find it more impolite be shoved in my side by a stranger's elbow rather than let me know they're trying to get through with a simple "excuse me please".If someone says "bless you" when I sneeze I have absolutely no problems with it and will gladly respond with a "thank you" and a smile.