Why do people say "bless you" whenever they hear you sneeze?
970529
Other explanations are based on superstitions and urban legends about sneezing and what a sneeze entails. Some well known superstitions that may have contributed to bringing "bless you" into common use are:\n\nThe heart stops when you sneeze (it doesn't), and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating. \nA sneeze is the expulsion of some sort of evil, and the phrase is meant to ward off the evil's re-entry. \nYour soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze, and saying "bless you" prevents your soul from being stolen by Satan or some evil spirit. Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil. \nA sneeze is good luck and saying "bless you" is no more than recognition of the sneezer's luckiness. \nAlternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began simply as a response for an event that wasn't well understood at the time.\n\nAnother urban legend states that you cannot open your eyes while you sneeze, or if you manage to your eyes will pop out. Both of the statements are untrue.
41070
THIS IS THE ORIGIN OF THE CUSTOM:\n\nIn English-speaking countries, it is common for at least one person to say "Bless you" after someone sneezes. The traditional explaination for the custom is that it began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the plague in 590 AD (his successor succumbed to it). To combat the plague Gregory ordered litanies, processions and unceasing prayer for God's intercession. When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague.\n\nThis custom persists among speakers of many languages. Common social responses to sneezes in English include "Bless you" and "Gesundheit" (German, "[Good] health [to you]").
538802
in the old days, when you sneezed " your soul came out" people were afraid that the devil would grab your soul, and take you to hell. So they said bless you which basically tells God to bless you by giving you your soul back\n\n\nP.S. please give me the points beacuse i swear that i'm not lying
91168
Just say bless you, and ignore it.  Hand out tissues if it helps.  \n\nThere is honestly nothing else you can do- you can't stop a sneeze.  Anything you would say to try to get people to "sneeze more quietly" will just end up making you look like a cad.
978088
I was taught a sneeze is like a burp or breaking wind. It's simply ignored, as though it never happened. Of course if the person needs a handkerchief and doesn't seem to have one, then for a close friend, relative, or business associate, you would provide them with your clean, pressed white linen or cotton handkerchief and not expect to receive it back (ever).\n\nBut I like the "you're sooooooo good lookin'" idea. Lol  :c)
309689
it helps prevent (doesnt completely block) the germs from flying over the entire room or onto other people around you, but do know that if you dont wash your hands right after sneezing you are spreading the germs that are then on your hand.  it is reccomended to sneeze into a tissue or a handkerchief to prevent the spreading of germs.
1151798
Because that's the only way to get those around you to reply "bless you" when you sneeze. I never say "achoo" and no one ever gives me a bless you or even a gesundheit!
99483
You are sneezing for a reason.  Just let the sneeze happen so the offending materials can be effectively eliminated.
419888
hey read these scientific reasons why do people bless them:\n1- when you are sneezing the heart stop within it\n2- the sneeze's speed is 100 km&#92;h\n3- if you are sneezing hard maybe you will broke one rib of your body ribs\n4- if you block the sneeze maybe will happen blood throwback in the neck or the head then that will be your death\n5- if you lift your eyes opened within sneezing maybe they will be out of them place\n6- and for your knowledge :\n   within the sneeze all organ of body stop although the time of the sneeze a second or part of second\nthen if god (Allah ) wants you to live,he will let our organ work after stopped \nquestion to you : if don't believe in spirit what the thing let you live ,think and distinguish you from the animals?
80214
to bless someone is to to them good, to love someone in an active way would be blessing them cus u would be doing them good, but to wish someone luck, well u are saying there is a power called luck that can bless them. u cannot bring anyone luck, therefore u wouldnt be blessing them.
297710
It's Gesundheit (German for good health). Comes from the belief that a sneeze meant you might get the plague
305374
I was once told it's because your heart skips a beat when you sneeze.............not sure it that's true or not?
835086
I would say bless you again.\n\nIf the sneezes are close to gether, I wait until the final when to say bless you.
565386
goes bk to when the plegue went round they say saying bless you because sneezing was a sign of the plague learning history at school did pay off ;)
358753
Mechanism of sneezing - Normally, sneezing is an involuntary reflex, which is controlled by a complex interaction of nerve fibres. A variety of receptor sites, situated in the nose, reports about the irritation or foreign substance to the brain for inducing sneezing by releasing histamine, for clearing the nose. Receptors are sensitive to infection, touch, smells of dust, chemical gases, fumes, temperature and exposure to extreme cold air and water (the main offender). Usually, sneeze begins with a deep inspiration and closed glottis, which suddenly opens after gaining pressure from contraction of the diaphragm, abdomen muscles and other muscles which compress the lungs to let out the trapped air with force through nose and mouth. So with an explosive sound, throw of air occurs as a sneeze. Sneezing also involves contraction of the muscles of face, neck and eyes. Sometimes, sneezing air speed is measured more than 120 km/per hour. Normally, people sneeze once or twice during early morning or daytime to clear the nose.\n\nFor more info, go to the source...
749122
Im catholic but I wouldn't expect people to get offended because Im sayin something positive, I am pleased when I hear people wish me a happy Eid or any other non-Christian religious festival. People who would take offence are often ignorent bitter people. Btw bless you was a Catholic thing that came around during the time of the black death as sneezing was one of the first signs and the pope ordered everyone to be blessed when they sneezed so as to keep the plague at bay ... or so im told.
397391
I wouldn't say it is rude. Especially when many people have more than one sneeze at a time in them. I for one, do not feel good when I have a multiple sneezing fit and someone continuously says it. It draws even more attention to you and by then, they feel obligated and would regret saying the very first one. It's not like they should follow you room to room saying it until it's over. Now wouldn't that be silly. \n  As far as a blanket one for the rest of the day? Well, if you say it once to that person for that day, and they sneeze again later, let someone else take the torch. If you are the only one in the romm, then go ahead and say it, but follow up with something like, "do you plan on doing this all day"? "I'll need to know if I have to clear up my schedule" LOL