A recent Reddit thread asking about polite habits people secretly find annoying has revealed a surprising source of irritation: the phrase 'bless you' after a sneeze. Many users expressed frustration at feeling obligated to respond, with one writing, 'I hate when people say bless you to my sneezes. Now I'm obligated to say thank you; just let me sneeze in peace!' Another added, 'I just want to sneeze and not have people acknowledge my bodily function.' A third user went further, claiming, 'Whenever someone says that to me, I immediately don't trust them.'
Origins of the Phrase and Its Modern Reception
The phrase has deep historical roots. Before modern medicine, a sneeze was seen as a potential sign of serious illness, and 'God bless you' was a prayer for protection. It was also once believed that a sneeze could force the soul from the body, allowing demons to enter unless God's blessing was invoked. While the gesture may seem sweet, its religious connotations are not universally welcome today.
Actor Paul Mescal has publicly criticized the phrase, saying in an interview: 'It is actually just a waste of time. I never say bless you. Think about how weird that is. It's very religious… I think we shouldn't be doing that anymore.'
Therapist Explains Why 'Bless You' Can Feel Uncomfortable
Therapist Candace Newton suggests that a 'bless you' can highlight a moment the sneezer would rather ignore. 'Sneezing makes a person lose control for a second. The body suddenly does something loud, everybody hears it, and there is no graceful way to stop it,' she says. 'Most people try to recover quickly by covering their face, looking down, and continuing with whatever they were doing. Then, somebody says bless you and confirms that the moment did not go unnoticed.'
Newton adds that the phrase can force an unintended conversation. 'You are not only dealing with your nose, you are then managing a conversation you did not intend to have. A polite response can still feel uncomfortable when it lands at the exact moment they are hoping everyone will look away.' She also notes that not everyone appreciates the religious aspect: 'Many people use it without thinking about religion at all, but others hear the words more literally. They may not want a stranger bringing faith into an interaction involving their body.'
Etiquette Expert Defends 'Bless You'
Etiquette expert Laura Windsor disagrees with the critics. She tells Metro that people who hate the phrase need to 'get a grip.' Windsor asks, 'Why would they think it's rude or not polite? It's an acknowledgement of your sneeze — it's giving you attention and respect.' She believes irritation at the phrase reflects a 'very negative mindset,' adding that 'people who are constantly offended by everything are always looking to disapprove of things and are basically emotionally unintelligent and fail to see beyond themselves.'
Windsor advises that while 'the manners police aren't out to fine you,' saying 'bless you' is good practice and should not be seen as a chore or a discourtesy. For those who do choose to say it, Newton offers a simple guideline: 'If you like saying bless you, say it once and move on. Do not wait for a thank you or repeat it after every sneeze.'
