In
English-speaking countries, the common verbal response to another person's
sneeze is "
odbless you", or, less commonly in the
United States and
Canada, "Gesundheit", the
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
word for health (and the response to sneezing in German-speaking countries). There are several proposed
bless-you origins for use in the context of sneezing.
In non-English-speaking cultures, words connoting good
health or a long
life are often used instead of "bless you," though some also use references to God.
In certain languages such as
Mandarin Chinese,
Vietnamese,
Japanese or
Korean, nothing is generally said after a sneeze except for when expressing concern when the person is sick from a cold or otherwise.
List of responses in other languages
See also
*
Photic sneeze reflex
*
Snatiation
References
Explanatory notes
Further reading
* Knowlson, T. Sharper (1910)
"(19) SNEEZING"pp. 175–179
A book that lists many superstitions and customs that are still common today.
* Mikkelson, Barbara (2001)
Snopes.
* Stollznow, Karen (2014)
God Bless You!' – A Blessing in Disguise?"
''Skeptic Magazine'' (19) 4.
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Responses To Sneezing
Etiquette lists
Physiology
Sneeze