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What are alternative responses for when someone sneezes?
I know the history/reason why people say bless you to you after you sneeze. My question is, is there an alternative to bless you which can be used when someone sneezes?
asked Jan 7, 2012 at 16:38
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2At least one answer is provided by the accepted answer of the linked questions...– dmckee --- ex-moderator kittenJan 7, 2012 at 16:43
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21'Gesundheit' is used by English speakers without knowing German. It has assimilated into English. It is not productive (you can't make new words with it in English) bit it is still recognized by English speakers. Therefore it is English.– MitchJan 7, 2012 at 17:30
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2I usually feign surprise for the heck of it.– Rei MiyasakaJan 7, 2012 at 19:49
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2As an aside, the French sometimes use a sequence of responses to multiple sneezes: "to your wishes" … "to your loves" … [exasperated] "to your death."– Taj MooreJan 7, 2012 at 20:45
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4Good boy/girl. Now wipe that off my face.– JobJan 7, 2012 at 22:45
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5 Answers
I've read that in polite company, you shouldn't say anything, so as to not draw any additional attention to the sneezer's faux pas. As for alternatives to "bless you", I hear "Gesundheit" on TV a lot, but when I say it to people who just sneezed, they mostly don't seem to get it.
The best alternative, I feel, is simply to say nothing. Saying "Bless you" (or Gesundheit, or anything else) after someone sneezes does, to some extent, oblige the sneezer to respond with thanks of some kind. This may be inconvenient, especially if the person is about to sneeze again, and such an exchange becomes downright silly in a chain of multiple sneezes — especially if, as often happens, the person is in another room, out of sight of the sneezer.
Me: [Sneeze]
You: Bless you!
Me: Tha— [Sneeze]
You: Bless you!
Me: Thank [Sneeze] you.
You: Bless you!
Me: Tha— [Sneeze]
You: Bless you!
Me: [Trying to find a tissue.] Thank you.
I, for one, prefer to be allowed to sneeze my sneezes without being caught up in a social ritual that has no practical value.
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3+1 for the inspired dialogue that made me smile. Not at all far from reality...– IreneJan 7, 2012 at 16:57
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5+1 for the insight, -1 because it is not an answer about English but about common sense :) Jan 7, 2012 at 17:27
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12@JeffSahol: Silence is always an option when using English. You might be surprised how often it's the best option.– RobustoJan 7, 2012 at 19:05
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2But let me say this. Once he passes on that option, that "god bless you" is up for grabs. youtube.com/watch?v=XbnQWrfgbvI– Henrik NJan 7, 2012 at 22:55
Gesundheit is a perfectly good alternative saying.
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2Rarely heard in British English though, have only really heard Americans (and Germans!) use it.– calum_bJan 7, 2012 at 22:07
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And doesn't clog up the com link with God with this human reflex to get the tickle out of your nose.– DaleJan 7, 2012 at 22:40
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I have heard "gesundheit" all my life in Michigan, Iowa, and Texas. I suspect waves of German immigration transplanted the word here.– MetaEdJan 7, 2012 at 23:49
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1Of course ‘Gesundheit’ (health) is the correct thing to say, because that is what you wish for the person. If you say ‘Krankheit’ (sickness), I hope you know the person well enough so they don’t mind.– MPiJan 8, 2012 at 10:56
I usually say "salud" (sa-lood) or "to health."
I had a friend in high school that was a Native Indian, and took great offense to me blessing him after a sneeze. When I asked what he preferred instead, he responded, "Your health."
answered Jan 8, 2012 at 19:23
