It's time we all stopped saying 'God Bless You' (when people sneeze)

NY Daily News ^ | March 16, 2017 | Ariel Scotti

[Zakeet]

Please stop acknowledging my bodily functions.

"Bless you" is a phrase so reflexively spoken upon hearing a sneeze that many of us forgot or don't even know where it came from. It has obvious religious connotations but they're archaic and no longer make any sense in our modern-day world. You don't protect your friend from the devil when she coughs so please, let her sneeze in peace. Here are five reasons why "bless you" has to go.

[Snip]

2. Religious political correctness. You never know who you're trying to bless and not everyone's going to be receptive of your random act of kindness. Atheists, for example, might respond to a "bless you" with a roll of the eyes. Someone of another faith may not appreciate your blessings if they perceive you to be of another (potentially opposing) set of beliefs.

[SuziQ]

I said it twice to a lady who sneezed twice, as I was standing in line on a plane, waiting for folks to find their seats. She just smiled and said "Thank you".
She had sneezed once, and I said "Bless you". She sneezed again, almost immediately, and I said "Bless you, again". Folks around us kinda chuckled.

[RegulatorCountry]

Please stop acknowledging my bodily functions.

... as she marched around in a giant vagina.

[TalBlack]

Anyone who, today, is worried about THIS is an idiot.

[Viking2002]

Hey, Ariel, I think 'Go f*ck yourself' or 'I hope you popped an embolism' would be more appropriate in your case.

Now go f*ck yourself, you imperious little snowflake.

[piasa]

maybe we should mail “bless you” cards to Ariel there...

[Hot Tabasco]

It's time we all stopped saying 'God Bless You' (when people sneeze)

Fair enough, would "May Satan get snot on your chin" sound better?

[bobby.223]

Anybody remember the ‘All In The Family’ episode where Edith wonders if the Chinese say “God bless you or Buddah bless you when they sneeze?”? Of course Archie gets her squared away on that subject as only he can! Hilarious!

[VeniVidiVici]

The author. Holy Cow (Sorry, Ariel, "Holy Cow, PBUH")

Ariel has a smile like the Joker's.

[Paul R.]

into one’s hand is stupid. The hand then touches doorknobs, switches, noses and other hands.

Well, sanitizer or washing (for the hands, afterward) makes more sense than letting fly with sometimes airborne pathogens, if one (often) cannot reach a tissue or handkerchief in time.

(This from someone who picked up TB from a fellow employee who did not bother to cough or sneeze into their hand. It was believed he had a cold and TB. Nice mix.)

TB is pretty scary: Less than 10 bacteria inhaled can cause infection. (TB is NOT spread by touch, BTW.)

[terycarl]

Maybe you should get a new hobby....one that is productive.

[terycarl]

Maybe you should get a new hobby....one that is productive.

[blueplum]

Here’s how to defeat the anti-bless you person/bully:
Dear (bully), I am not blessing you, I am blessing your sneeze that it doesn’t have enough germs to kill us all. Go sneeze outside next time you inconsiderate person you.

[Gamecock]

You think you’re so damn special because you say ‘God bless you’?

[CodeToad]

Who the hell listens to left-wingers?? Except you, of course.

[Getready]

Who is that girl?

[Caipirabob]

Lol...note to the snowbless: “Bless your heart...”

[Albion Wilde]

Someone of another faith may not appreciate your blessings if they perceive you to be of another (potentially opposing) set of beliefs.

Hope it would make them uncomfortable enough to convert to the true God and His Word, or if not, find another country more compatible with their opposite beliefs to what our Founders intended for this nation.

[Right Wing Assault]

If they say something, say back to them, "Actually, I was talking to myself since you sprayed germs and I was praying I wouldn't catch them."

[Unam Sanctam]

I’ll keep saying God bless you if I damn well feel like it, thank you very much.

[adorno]

I used to work with an Italian "kid" who, instead of "bless you" would say "f" you (the whole "f" word). His family had Mafia ties, so, nobody called him out on it.

But, I'm open to using the "f you" instead of "bless you" to those who don't like the "bless you".