If you sneezed! Now, this is a strange thought. Perhaps you are in an office or on a bus or a train. You might be walking on a city street or in a store that sells groceries or...

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Now, this is a strange thought. Perhaps you are in an office or on a bus or a train. You might be walking on a city street or in a store that sells groceries or hardware. You just sneezed. Why doesn’t anyone say, “Bless you!” anymore? Have people become so self involved they are oblivious to anyone else even if the person is right next to you in a room? People don’t say “Gezunteit” or some other acknowledgement that you sneezed. I am beginning to think I wasted my time reading the book, All I Needed To Know, I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulgrum.
What a crappy world this place became!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Society changes, sometimes not for the good.

If a stranger near me sneezes, I'll say "Bless you", mostly, sometimes Gesundheit.

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

I've never understood why people say "Bless You" or Gesundeit at a sneeze. I never feel the need to say anything unless the person happens to sneeze directly on me then I would probably say something other than bless you or gesundeit.

cliff Hilbert Loc: Plano, TX

Stash wrote:

I've never understood why people say "Bless You" or Gesundeit at a sneeze. I never feel the need to say anything unless the person happens to sneeze directly on me then I would probably say something other than bless you or gesundeit.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Here ya go....

https://iso.mit.edu/americanisms/why-americans-say-bless-you-when-they-hear-someone-sneeze/

And Gesundheit...... (Health to you)

jinx

When I tell my grandson "Bless you" after he sneezes he says "and you too".

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Stash wrote:

I've never understood why people say "Bless You" or Gesundeit at a sneeze. I never feel the need to say anything unless the person happens to sneeze directly on me then I would probably say something other than bless you or gesundeit.

Just something most of us grew up hearing and saying.

I grew up with "God bless you".
Unfortunately it seems like the first two words have fallen out of favor.
OR, maybe it was just shortened.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Stash wrote:

…the person happens to sneeze directly on me….

Usually, there is an aura or sensation as someone is about to sneeze. When I feel this sensation I turn around, and sneeze into my elbow.

I am inclined to believe that more people are are becoming impolite and inconsiderate.
I could be mistaken but it may seem that many people are courteous when faced to you but don’t care how their co-workers really feel.

mikee

Scruples wrote:

Now, this is a strange thought. Perhaps you are in an office or on a bus or a train. You might be walking on a city street or in a store that sells groceries or hardware. You just sneezed. Why doesn’t anyone say, “Bless you!” anymore? ...

Because we've all learned that a sneeze doesn't mean you're likely going to die. Rumor has it that Pope Gregory I (540-604) started the "God bless you" thing...who knows? Now, when people sneeze I usually just say "hey, could you move a little bit further away and cover your mouth?" Not so polite, but it could save my life!

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

They still say it. Even kids do where I live.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Scruples wrote:

Now, this is a strange thought. Perhaps you are in... (show quote)

I usually say, bless you. Society has changed for the worse!!!!!!!

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

A better question is, “Why did anyone ever say anything in the first place to someone who sneezes?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Canonuser wrote:

A better question is, “Why did anyone ever say anything in the first place to someone who sneezes?

Ya gotta go back and ask the guy who started it.....

For some reason, it caught on.
(Like a ton of the stuff that has caught on today. Who knows why.)

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I think the reason to say G.B.U. is because when you sneeze your heart stops for a short time. Yes, you dead for a split second.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I say it automatically and hope the person didn’t find it offensive.