What do atheists say when someone sneezes?

[Shell B]

I know why it is said. I still say "bless you." I really don't see the harm in it and am very used to people saying it when I sneeze. I don't think the anti-bless you brigade is a mantle I want to take up.

[Fromper]

I know why it is said. I still say "bless you." I really don't see the harm in it and am very used to people saying it when I sneeze. I don't think the anti-bless you brigade is a mantle I want to take up.

That's pretty much been my attitude. I try to be polite, so I always say "bless you", but it does seem silly. Maybe I'll switch to gesundheit, since that apparently means "good health" and is well known enough to be a socially acceptable response in the US.

[Clueless Morgan]

That's pretty much been my attitude. I try to be polite, so I always say "bless you", but it does seem silly.

I'm curious: Why do you think you have to be polite and say "bless you" (or Gesundheit or any other response) when someone else sneezes?

To me, the only time a bodily function requires something be said about it is when it's disruptive - saying you cough or sneeze in the middle of giving a presentation. But even then I think it's up to the presenter to say "Excuse me," there's no reason for anyone else to say anything.

I am genuinely curious as to why sneezing is something that is need to remain societally acknowledged?

[Rampant.A.I.]

That's pretty much been my attitude. I try to be polite, so I always say "bless you", but it does seem silly.

I'm curious: Why do you think you have to be polite and say "bless you" (or Gesundheit or any other response) when someone else sneezes?

To me, the only time a bodily function requires something be said about it is when it's disruptive - saying you cough or sneeze in the middle of giving a presentation. But even then I think it's up to the presenter to say "Excuse me," there's no reason for anyone else to say anything.

I am genuinely curious as to why sneezing is something that is need to remain societally acknowledged?

No idea, but the reactions are clear.

[Whateverist]

I use the German version as a little hold out without seeming rude.

[SteelCurtain]

I say "bless me" when I sneeze.

I know it's ridiculous, but it is a societal norm. It's just not worth the effort to change it.

[rexbeccarox]

I've recently replaced the silence which had replaced "bless you" for "gesundheit". Because of the social norm, it just felt weird not saying anything at all.


Edit: didn't make sense the first time

[Fromper]

I've recently replaced the silence which had replaced "bless you" for "gesundheit". Because of the social norm, it just felt weird not saying anything at all.

That's pretty much where I'm going with this. It is a societal norm. Not only is it considered polite to say something, but some people consider it rude not to. I don't bow to society norms on everything (if I did, I wouldn't be an atheist, or a vegetarian for that matter), but I do generally try to be polite.

[psychoslice]

I think we are so conditioned to say, god bless, it just comes out automatically, but with no meaning behind it, more importantly, what do you say when someone farts lol.

[kılıç_mehmet]

I don't know, man. In Turkey, they say "Chok yasha" meaning "live long", just like everyone else.
Though very religious people do not use this word because only God can determine how long one lives, and wishing a long life upon a person is not appropriate. Instead they use "Thank God", "Alhamdulillah".