Do we have to excuse ourselves every time we cough or sneeze?

Question

There was this female colleague of mine at office who said 'excuse me' every time she sneezed or coughed, and I used to find that more intrusive than her cough or sneeze. If she had to sneeze twice in 5 seconds, she used to say 'excuse me' after each sneeze. Would you consider her behavior 'misplaced etiquette'?

Answer 1

i think its common courtesy,especially a cough. but you only need to say it once.

its a good question, i just happen to be a very polite person.

Answer 2

I apologize for coughing or sneezing only if it's disturbing others, but a little hack here and there does not warrant, I believe, an "excuse me."

I have allergies and don't have time to apologize every time my breathing is interrupted over something I cannot control.

  

Answer 3

It sounds like its more a habit of hers than anything else. Id say excuse me, if I were talking to someone and then had to stop because of a ticklish sneeze or cough coming.

By the way, good o, your question helped me remember one I wanted to ask : for sneezes we say bless you, or kazuntai, but what do you say for hiccups, if anything ;) ?  

Answer 4

OH GOOD GOD ..

how day she be courteous enough to excuse herself for making a loud noise and possibly spreading her germs if she has a cold.. I mean that's just so ... inconsiderate....

I don't think she would bother me .. what bothers me more is when somebody asks a question and writes "You people seem to think she was ok in her behavior".. well yeah we do obviously .. you asked we answered.

the world is so full of rudeness and inconsideration ... and you get annoyed at politeness.. SHEEESHHHHHHHHH

EXCUSE ME ? LOL .. who are you to say that her excusing herself is a false display of etiquette, who are you  JUNE Dally Watkins ?

honestly if such trivial things are an irritant to you maybe you need to take a look outside at the real world and see some BIGGER issues...

Answer 5

The continual 'excuse me' would indeed get on my nerves but not to the extent that the spreading of her germs would do.

If I shared an office or any space with a person who,as you say,sneezed or coughed with that level of frequency,either they would need to leave or I would.

Her misplaced etiquette is more a failing to seek medical advice and in expecting others to continually tolerate her contamination of the environment in which you have to work  

Answer 6

No

Answer 7

I don't do that... but I know that British people say all the time.. excuse me when they have to sneeze or to cough.. so it's also a cultural thing.. it's polite.... and of course if you happen to sneeze and don't hold your hand in front of your mouth then it's a good idea to say.. excuse me or when coughing and you forget to do that.. then you spread germs and someone can catch the cold.. one should always hold the hand in front of ones mouth if one feels a sneeze or a cough coming on and then wash hands after.. otherwise the bacteria will be on your hands.. but she is polite for saying ''excuse me''.. I know that all British people do say it...it's normal there I only say it.. if I really interrupt something or I am talking and then have to cough or sneeze or someone is talking to me.. then I say it.. because I have to make the other person repeat what they said and they didn't hear me finish what I said... it's very polite...I would say it's not misplaced etiquette as all British people.. and I have met many.. have said that after coughing and sneezing.. so I am sure the Queen does the same.. and how can the Queen of England set a bad example in etiquette?