Am I obligated to say something when someone says "god bless you" after I sneeze?

Question

I sneeze a LOT. 8-10 times per hour during this, my allergy season. I despise the woman who works closest to me - she is an awful gossipy woman who hates anyone who is different from her and is not shy about expressing it. I'm an Atheist, but keep it pretty much to myself. She says "god bless you" to me EVERY time I sneeze and I know that if she knew my beliefs she would hate me too. Needless to say, hearing "god bless you" from her all day, every day is just irritating as all get out. I want to scream "Shut up!" at her, but instead say thank you. Do I have to say thank you? Or can I just ignore her?

Answer 1

Yes you're obligated if you were raised with any manners. She doesn't mean any harm. If you know God isn't your belief than just don't worry about it and see that she's saying "god bless you" as a term of endearment. And look at it this, way, it's not her fault you're sneezing so much. And why the heck do you sneeze so much? You might need to get that checked out. That's not normal. She wouldn't have to say it if you didn't do it so much. I am sure she gets sick of you sneezing too.

Answer 2

The entire idea of blessing someone just bc they sneezed really is stupid. First of all, I think it's based on an old myth that evil spirits were escaping the body during a sneeze. Somehow it became a trend.

The mere act of sneezing is an involuntary human reaction that doesn't require any notice.

Next time she blesses you after your sneeze, merely tell her you don't have any evil spirits escaping. Then ask if she'd like you to acknowledge her farts....

So people - stop blessing people and calling attention to the bodily functions!  

Answer 3

When you first walk in just say to her Thank you for all the sneezes that are about to come.

♥Seventh Grader♥

♥Serious Dancer♥

♥Random Girl♥

Answer 4

I do not believe you should feel that you have to say anything to her. There was a time where i would say you should say thank you, but it's just a sneeze. your soul isn't trying to escape.

Answer 5

she sounds like the type of person that would think you are rude if you just ignored her.  I'm catholic so i would just say thank you every time.  i like hearing god bless you.  but i can see how it would be annoying to an atheist though.  You should just keep saying thanks every now and then and ignore her a few times.  Keep ignoring her more and more until she just stops saying it. see if that works.

Answer 6

Just say thank you and keep the peace. If you don't say anything she may take offense. I don't like it when people say bless you but I just say thanks and move on. Maybe you can joke with her that she should just bless you once for the 10 sneezes that are coming for her sake lol.  

Answer 7

Thanks or Thank You is always appreciated even if you don't believe in her god. I'm pagan and wind up saying quite a few thank yous during allergy season too. Then again you can always just slam her head into the nearest file cabinet. Just kidding!!!!!!

Answer 8

I think even though it is against what you believe it would be awful rude to just ignore her.

Answer 9

I never believed that a person can give you God's blessings. I too do not like when people say that to me. I never say thank you. but if it is someone that i have the time to talk to or someone i know well. i explain where the custom comes from. if they believe in God they may stop after this:

It is a superstitious custom, a method of protection against evil spirits entering the body through the open mouth of a sneezing individual.

God is not superstitious neither does he want his followers to be. Just tell her your not superstitious. She may ask why you say that and then you can explain. It has worked for me many times.

Answer 10

I honestly don't think there is anything religious about saying "bless you" when someone sneezes.

If I were you, I would just say thank you. It only takes a second and that way you won't start world war 3 at your office =)