…for me:
What are you supposed to say when somebody near by sneezes? Is there a more suited thing than ‘bless you’ - not just because I would be a hypocrite saying it but because the person I’m saying it to might be offended, too? [the OED lists the origin of 'bless you' as 'may God bless you' - I'm sure you knew that, though]
Anybody got a smart idea?
gesundheit.. is the other option in english.. taken straight from german but it works.. just means “health”
Yeah I think I’ve heard somebody use it. In my native language there is an equivalent that translates to pretty much the same thing.
Thanks!
Erm.. i was reading a book on “etiquette” some years ago and i remember there was a whole chapter dedicated to the sneezing issue and its response to it in different cultures. Surprisingly enough, the writer considered that even in Romania it’d be more polite (and healthy) to say nothing at all when someone sneezes around you, because if you look in his/her direction and talk to them, you risk getting their germs/viruses. :D She does have a point, but i still say “sanatate” or “noroc” in that situation, i’ve been raised to think it’s the right thing to do.
Anyway, i haven’t got a better answer to your question than the one already given (which, ofc, i didn’t know :D), so i guess i was commenting to say i’m clueless. Aren’t i a smart one :D
Cheers from .ro