“You’re soooooo good looking,” is the appropriate response to a sneeze per a Seinfeld episode.
Here is a clip about what one should say to someone else after they sneeze.
FYI, the clip is spoken in English.
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I tend to agree. I am not religious. However, if it is in direct response to an expressed hardship I wouldn’t be offended. I lived in TX for a bit and an acquaintance’ mom said it in response to a sprained ankle. I was touched but thought it was a bit much. I channeled my inner standup comedian and responded. “thank you, and be sure to ask him about that lottery ticket.” You could hear the proverbial lead balloon hitting the ground.
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Germans usually just say “Gesundheit!” which just means “Health!” That’s what my family used to say, but I generally don’t say anything any more, not sure when I got out of the habit. I have no objection at all if people say “Bless you” it feels much less intrusive than “I’ll pray for you.” Probably because I know lots of non-believers who just say it reflexively.
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Too many snowflakes on all sides of the political and religious divides. I’m not religious but if someone says “bless you”, I don’t take it as proselytizing. On a business trip in Turkey, a Muslim colleague reflexively said “ar-hamuka-l-lah” after I sneezed (there’s actually a whole protocol, which is interesting). Again, no big deal, just a thanks. In both cases I give the benefit of the doubt and assume the responses are out of goodwill.
On the other hand, if it was suggested that I accept Jesus to be saved or to acknowledge Allah as the one and only god, I would politely decline. If asked again, I would firmly decline.
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That’s me. I grew up with Gesundheit instead of Bless You although my parents were dedicated church go-ers. We had some German ancestry on my mom’s side and I think that’s where it came from. I have shared it with my kids, but I don’t say it that much any more. I think I might try to bring it back. It’s a much more fun word to say!
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People do get insulted sometimes.
And sometimes people say words that are insulting and hurtful, even if it they are unintentional.
When a friend told me in elementary schools that Jews killed Jesus and I was going to hell (so she was going to pray for me…she was saying it because she was worried about my eternal soul). I was too young and shocked to say anything.
When I was in college and someone in my dorm said something similar, I didn’t get “mean.” I calmly told them that their words were insulting and un-welcomed. When they kept proselytizing, I very “meanly” told them to leave me alone. They were just sharing their culture with me, I guess. They were being them. I was being me. We certainly kept our distance from each other after that.
Being yourself is great.
Sharing your culture is great.
Refusing to consider or care that your words might make others feel uncomfortable or worse (they should just get over it; it’s not a big deal; why is everyone so offended all the time?) is not as great.
I’m not saying that’s what YOU do, but I’ve heard that kind of sentiment here and other places.
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I would much prefer to hear “hätten Sie gern mehr Bier!” rather than "Gesundheit!”
Honestly, I am Christian myself, and “I will pray for you” does make me uncomfortable. I wouldn’t tell a person that, but it feels…personal. Like my difficulty or trauma is now a little hobby for them to wave at from afar.
Our son was gravely ill and long term hospitalized and I appreciated knowing we weren’t forgotten, but it felt like a demand for appreciation when I was just unable to think of anything but us. and people would be disappointed that we didn’t light up over it.
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Heh. I gave the benediction at my public HS graduation in Georgia as pretty much my sole duty as a class officer. The flack I got for not mentioning Jesus…but there were a couple of Jewish kids in my class, and as MADad mentioned, this area was also considered Catholic mission territory, and many felt they weren’t Christians. I didn’t want to make friends or family uncomfortable just because they weren’t a specific flavor of southern Christian. People weren’t ready to deal with that in 1979, but the people I was trying to include noticed and appreciated it.
I include friends in the Mi Shebeirach healing prayer when I’m at services. I don’t put their names on a list or announce them in synagogue, but say their names silently. Some of the friends on my list know, others don’t. It’s something I can do when I can’t do anything else for them, whether it’s because of geography, Covid separation, or honoring the relationship we’ve had over the years.
Over the years, lots of people offered to pray for me. My response is typically that I’ll take any and all petitions to a higher power for good health. I need all I can get!
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The idea that some of us need “saving” because we don’t believe in someone else’s flavor of religion (or even their version of Christianity) frankly I find offensive.
We were taught by the nuns back in the 60’s that non-Catholics were burning in hell, regardless of the life they led. Even as a kid I refuse to believe that could be possible. That’s the vibe I get from those who think I need saving.
I would rather know a good Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu person than a hypocritical Christian.
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This is me.
This I also consider mean TBH.
Saying something once can be culture in some areas with some people and usually shows they care in their own way. Continuing to try to convert someone after they ask you not to is annoying at best. At worst people get beheaded/killed in some parts of the world for not converting. Several religions are responsible - not just one. They seem to miss the “Love your neighbor” part that I believe is in most (all?) religious teachings.
Elementary kids parrot things they have been taught by someone, not necessarily parents. It’s not until high school that reasoning and becoming themselves really starts. I have a tough time being critical of them knowing what I know about brain development and learning. Given the right circumstances I will try to plant seeds of other ways of thinking or doing things. There’s no real way to stop elementary (and younger) kids from saying what they’ve been taught. It’s sad when they’re taught to diss others. I’m sorry you had that experience.
I was surprised to learn that me little great nephew was recently confirmed in the Catholic Church— at age 8?!?!? My kids got confirmed in HS, when they have the ability to think more critically and make choices that may not be identical to those of the family they were born in. It seems a better time to make such a serious decision.
My kids chose to get confirmed in HS to be in synch with the extended family. They didn’t pray or attend mass as a result before or after their confirmation.
Confirmation at 8? I’ve never heard of that. Are you sure the parents didn’t mean first communion?
I’m sure—asked—he did confession, 1st communion and then next year confirmation! I was shocked!
That seems counterintuitive to the spirit of the sacrament.
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If I remember correctly, confirmation was based on when the bishop could make it to your parish. So the age range was varied.
Maybe it’s not done that way anymore but that’s how I remember it.
The only issue with being confirmed so young is for many, after confirmation, many people stop religious Ed if not going to a Catholic school. 8 does seem young, doesn’t it.
I think I was in the 4th grade. So actually not that much older.
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I learn something new every day! Our churches have always had confirmation between 13 - 15 years old.
My kids were in HS—I think that when you can make a deliberate and conscious choice and are more aware of other faiths and ways of believing.
Things might have changed or be somewhat different in different areas, but my kids went to Catholic school PreK-8 and made confirmation in 8th grade. For confirmation they needed to have a sponsor - someone who stood up with them and attended a session or two with them prior to confirmation. @HImom did this young person have a sponsor???
I think my confirmation was also around 8th grade. If we would have waited until high school those of us attending public school would never had made confirmation because we were DONE going to catechism by 8th grade!
Sorry for the off topic stray!
Yes, his aunt was his sponsor (she’s a Notre Dame alum). Great nephew ’s already been confirmed and turns 9 this month. I had a chat with my nephew-in-law who converted to Catholicism to align with that niece. We were remarking about how things have changed from older people being confirmed to folks being now so so young! He agreed it’s surprising.