Sneeze Responses

This is a question I get a lot.  What should I say when someone sneezes that isn’t – bless you.

And this is an issue for Humanists because we feel like hypocrites blessing someone when we don’t believe in the magical powers of blessings.

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My dad always said, “don’t do that” when I sneezed. I asked my son, he said, that’s not very helpful.

Then, a fan shared the wikipedia link  on Responses to sneezing with me http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responses_to_sneezing

I’ve included a link on the podcast site so you can review and choose the one you like best. 

I personally like Vietnamese “Cơm muối” – which means rice and salt.

And the Persian  “Afiat Bahsheh” which means,  "May Cleanliness/Purity be bestowed upon you or may it be for your health."  Which seems like a really nice thing to wish people – in a really succinct 2 words. 

Regardless, now you have options and need no longer feel constrained to say bless you.