"Have a blessed day"

[Turbineguy]

Got that at the supermarket today. Is that some sort of secret code?

[woodsprite]

1. Was the clerk wearing a red hooded cape and a white bonnet?

Should have answered "Under his eye".

[Turbineguy]

3. OK.

Now I know.

[mainstreetonce]

27. Praise be

....

[greatauntoftriplets]

51. Another good response.

"May the Lord open".

[lunatica]

13. LOL!

No eye contact though!

[gratuitous]

2. Just someone taking the dogma out for a walk

Probably didn't mean anything by it. I usually just smile and nod and go on my merry way.

[lame54]

5. Exactly

[dewsgirl]

4. In Florida's panhandle people say it all the time. I personally

don't, I'm not from here though.

[maxsolomon]

6. Probably a Wiccan.

Maybe Flying Spaghetti Monsterist.

[Mariana]

16. It's almost always Christians who say that. nt.

[Iggo]

60. Almost?

[MontanaMama]

76. Wouldn't it be "Blessed Be"?

instead? I’m thinking it was a fundy Christian.

[PatSeg]

100. I've had quite a few people say that to me

and they weren't all fundy Christians. It is usually meant as a very sincere expression of good will. There was never a time where it was offensive or intrusive. If they don't hand you a religious tract or start spewing religious dogma, I would just take it as a pleasant gesture.

[maxsolomon]

107. Yes, Blessed Be.

Just trying to have fun.

[Hekate]

7. Happy Christians making sure they're not oppressed. I respond with a nice Wiccan "Blessed Be!"

And a smile. The world needs all the blessings it can get.

[louis-t]

9. Or you could say

"Have a Coke and a smile and shut the fuck up."

[Hekate]

78. No

[mitch96]

91. +1!

[cwydro]

95. Classy.

Why come at people who are just being polite?

I hear it all the time where I live, more often from AA people than white. Why be nasty when someone is saying something friendly?

I simply say, “you too.”

[StarfishSaver]

115. I tell you one thing

I think I'd rather spend my time with someone who says, "Have a blessed day," than with someone who would say "Fuck you" to someone because they said, "Have a blessed day."

[3Hotdogs]

12. That would be my guess. Wiccans seem to be harmless.

[crickets]

22. I like this approach.

The world needs all the blessings it can get.

True!

[LeftInTX]

65. I didn't know that "Blessed Be!" was Wiccan

[Hekate]

73. Now you know. I particularly like it as a response because I don't like being mean to religious...

...people (such as missionaries at my door) who aren't actually insulting me. Since the ones at my door tend to persist, a very long time ago in college I learned I had to actually shut the door in their faces to get rid of them. So as I shut the door I would say, "Go in peace."

I learned Blessed Be in midlife in my Moon Circle. Somewhat later I realized that would work in context of Evangelicals who insist on casting themselves as poor persecuted victims in the War on Christmas and other bogus crap. I'm sure that 99.9% don't know the origin of my response, which is just as well.

[MontanaMama]

77. Amen sister.

Blessed be it should be.

[louis-t]

8. They do it in MI also.

Cashier at Kroger. I avoid her. Of course, they've cut the number of cashiers and doubled the number of machines. I rarely use the machines.

[H2O Man]

10. Here is the secret

code's decoder ring: "blessed" comes from the root meaning "bliss." Hence, you have the option of answering in kind, depending upon what your bliss may be. I tend to say, "And may you have an orgasm on this day."

[Rorey]

30. I'd love to see video of that

[Kurt V.]

11. ppl say it here alot. Something going around in religious circles is my guess.

[stopdiggin]

14. I get this routinely (might be a particular church?)

or it might be more regional. I looked on google and there was some mention of "particularly southern."
In any case, it doesn't look there is any particular significance other than a more religious version of "have a nice one."
Don't think there is any underlying code or agenda, unless you had some kind of difficult exchange and you were on the receiving end of a bit of sarcasm. I just respond with a "thanks" or "you too" .. not worth digging down much.

[Mr. Ected]

15. "Be Best"

Is how I usually reply to that salutation. Few understand the connection or the irony.

[Mariana]

17. Yes. It's code for "I'm a Christian, and I want to make sure you know that." nt.

[Iggo]

61. This right here is the correct answer.

[LastDemocratInSC]

70. Yes it's the correct answer.

It's a style thing, demonstrating membership in an elite social group.

[Ms. Toad]

18. It's religious.

Last edited Thu Dec 5, 2019, 12:09 AM - Edit history (2)

Based on those I know who always say it (100% of them are conservative Christians).

I usually just say, "you too," and move on.

[Iggo]

64. Oops. I meant that to be a reply to the OP. Sorry about that.

[Ms. Toad]

66. To each their own. n/t

[albacore]

19. The proper response is "Satan is Lord." nt

[customerserviceguy]

43. Unless you really sincerely believe that

as a practicing Satanist, you're just being mean.

[StarfishSaver]

55. Why all the snark and nastiness to a well-intentioned greeting?

Why not just say, "You have a nice day, too" and move on?

"Have a blessed day" is a very common greeting among African-Americans. I don't say it but many of my friends and relatives do. And I'd be really pissed off if I ever heard anyone respond to them the way most of the posters in this thread are recommending.

Cruelty isn't cool.

[albacore]

63. OK, then...

How about "I'm a Satanist, so Satan's blessings on you, too."?

I didn't used to be this way.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

71. But you have evolved

[Raine]

74. That's the way I feel too

good grief does everything have to be put on one side or the other, it's a simple greeting!

[cwydro]

96. I just posted something similar.

I hear it all the time where I live, much more often from my black neighbors than the white ones.

I simply say, “you too,” and smile.

The responses in this thread make it clear that the right has no monopoly on hatred. Smh.

[Judi Lynn]

58. Funny! They really need to stop forcing their religion on strangers, anyway. It's rude.

It could force them to actually think about it a moment or two.

[Hekate]

79. Nope

[mcar]

20. I take it in the spirit of its meaning

Wiccans say "Blessed be." Someone saying "have a blessed day," especially in my red county, almost definitely is coming from an evangelical. But I'll take it as well meant.

[X_Digger]

21. I respond with "Wa alaykum as salam" just to fuck with them. n/t

[KatyMan]

28. I do think it's harmless and most

Who say it mean well, but I'm always tempted to reply Hare Krishna

[X_Digger]

46. I've actually had more than one of these idiots get offended at my muslim response. n/t

[Mariana]

86. Of course they got offended.

Non-Christians are supposed to know their place, and STFU.

[Beringia]

23. I have been tempted to say something similar at times

But it is too loaded.

A belief in God and a feeling of love toward fellow beings.

[a kennedy]

24. When my husband got his flu and shingles shot, the Dr. said "have a blessed day"......

and I wish I would have responded, no thank you......but, I didn’t say anything. I do NOT like that phrase at all.

[Blue_true]

35. I would change Doctors. nt

[a kennedy]

44. It was at a Walgreens.......so much cheaper, but still he was a Dr. and you're right,

we’ll go to a different Walgreens for his shots next year.

[Blue_true]

25. No. I hear it a lot in my part of Florida. I just move on with no thoughts on it. nt

[jcgoldie]

26. I have a coworker who says that to me all the time

It really fucking pisses me off.

[Blue_true]

36. That means that person likes you as a person.

He or she is likely very religious. Just move on, that is what I do in my bible-thumping red county in Florida.

[Croney]

29. Do they say it in one syllable, or two?

Have a blessed day.
Have a bless-ed day.

Either way I hate it. But I just let it go. These are the people for whom "thoughts and prayers" is the only acceptable response to mass shootings. They are beyond help.

[Blue_true]

38. They pray that the god that allowed the shooter to slaughter will heal the

broken survivors and relatives of the dead. Like everything in life, you just have to move on and keep pushing for sane gun reform.

[Luciferous]

31. I heard that a lot when I lived in Mississippi

[MissMillie]

32. Someone wished you well.

Say "thank you."

[Retrograde]

50. Or "the same to you"

Back in the Dark Ages I used to get annoyed when people said "Have a nice day" Uh, I have other plans? As I get older and more selective in picking my battles I tolerate people using stock phrases out of habit - I have bigger things to worry about. Now I just reply with some variant of "You, too".

Eventually these phrases wear down so we forget their meanings - "goodbye" was originally something like "God be with ye". A common greeting in Austria is Gruss Gott, "God Bless you", seemingly used by most people who slur it into something like grusegot - I don't think many people think much about the origins.

[StarfishSaver]

54. Thank you!

[Turbineguy]

59. Actually, that was my answer.

It just felt creepy afterwards so I come here to where the answers are.

[LeftInTX]

67. I here it now and then

I just say, "Thanks" or "Same to you"...and move on....

[Cairycat]

33. I hear it most days

I'm a lunch lady in a junior high. There is one girl who went to the elementary I also work at. Pretty much every day she wishes me a "blessed day". I take it to mean she is religious and is wishing me good things, so I am pleased and it makes me happy. Many of the junior high students tell me "thank you" when they bring their trays to be washed, but Amaya always wishes me a "blessed day" and I look forward to it. Many times if you look at the intention and not at the specific words, it's not offensive, can even be pleasant.

[customerserviceguy]

39. This.

It is not a move to try to convert you, it is someone sharing good thoughts and good feelings to you in a personal way. In an increasingly impersonal world, it is a ray of human sunshine into our lives. And even as an atheist, I feel that way.

[renate]

90. To me it's 100 percent about the intention

If they genuinely wish me well, I love it and feel the same towards them.

If they’re showing off about what excellent and religious people they are, it’s eye roll-worthy.

Nobody wishes ill when they say it, but sometimes it’s sweet and sometimes it’s tiresome.

[rownesheck]

34. People say that all the time

here in Texas. I always want to respond with, "fuck off".

[dixiechiken1]

57. LOL

I used to live in Florida and got the whole "blessed day" thing everytime I checked out at the grocery store. Used to aggravate the shit outta me. I mean, I was there to get groceries, not get saved. I always wanted to respond with "fuck off" as well.

[underpants]

103. 😆

[customerserviceguy]

37. I hear it a lot around here

And almost exclusively from black people who I encounter. Although I'm an atheist, I interpret it as wishing me well.

When I worked in customer service for a utility in New Jersey, I heard it from what I presume were black folks in Jersey City or Camden, and I always answered, "I'm blessed to be able to speak with nice folks like you."

It sure beat the hell out of getting cussed out by white people in the rich-ass neighborhoods.

[RhodeIslandOne]

40. I live in Rhode Island and got wished it by a young black woman...

....at the grocery store check out.

It was out of the ordinary, but I took it in good spirits.

[displacedtexan]

41. I heard that almost every day in Dallas & Ft Worth last year.

And not a single person who said that to me was remotely qualified or authorized by a religious institution to bless anything.

[Squinch]

42. It's very big in the Bronx. I was surprised when I first heard it, but every time someone

says it to me, I do get the impression that it is very kindly meant. And not in a "Have you accepted Jesus as your lord and master" kind of way.

It's like when people in the Bronx call women "Mommy." It means, "dear" or "my friend."

[Liberal In Texas]

45. I reply "Bless-ed Be" once in awhile.

Mostly they don't get it.

[Coventina]

56. Heh. Me too!

[LeftInTX]

69. No they don't

I didn't know it was a Wiccan thing until this thread. Most of the people who say "Have a blessed day" are more naive than me.

(Unless they were into Wiccan stuff in high school or something)

[UTUSN]

47. Most of the time, it's religio-hate speech.

[UniteFightBack]

48. Here in NY I hear that all the time. Usually the person means it and are being nice. As an Atheist

I don't mind it and I just say 'and you as well' because I will avoid actually saying those words.

[TidalWave46]

49. It's someone wishing you a good day. NT

[meadowlander]

52. "May the Lord open."

Someone is taking their Handmaid’s Talr a little too seriously.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

53. I hear it

almost everyday. Am I supposed to be outraged ?

[Mariana]

85. Did the OP so much as hint that you should be outraged? nt.

[subana]

62. I live in Oklahoma & we get that a lot here

it's basically just a reminder that you're talking to a christian which is pretty likely here whether or not someone says it.

I live in Tulsa & there is a christian church about every mile or two. They outnumber us non-christians & they overwhelmingly vote republican too.

[Iggo]

68. "No, thank you."

[Raine]

72. No one has said that to me, if they did I would say "thank you,

you too " and be on my way. I feel life is too short and I have bigger problems then to make a huge deal out of a greeting. 😮

[A HERETIC I AM]

75. I once replied with "I don't know what that means"....

And it led to an absurd 10 minute back and forth with the 20 something dude behind the counter.

It happens to me all the time, or at least on a regular basis.

Is it some secret code? Others have nailed it;

It means “I’m a Christian, I want you to KNOW I’m a Christian, and I am saying this to you so that you can know I want you to think I mean well, while at the same time, mean nothing”

I once responded with “And may a magical pink Unicorn live in your pocket as well!”

That person wanted to know what I meant, so I told her that saying “Have a blessed day” to me holds the exact same, ridiculously pointless meaning as “May a magical pink unicorn live in your pocket” means to you.

It’s coded language, meant to make you aware they are a member of a specific tribe.

It’s up to you how to respond.

I find it annoying, but usually just say thanks and go on with my day, but if I’m feeling me oats, so to speak, I’ll let them have it with both barrels.

It’s about time the religious in this country understand that not everyone wants those belief systems shoved in their faces. Some of the kindest, most gentle, loving people I have ever met are devout believers, but you wouldn’t know it because they don’t wear it, not just on their sleeve, but as a metaphorical T-Shirt you are forced to acknowledge. They walk the walk, so to speak, but are silent when they do so.

One of my favorite ** DU’ers is a devout Christian and her and her husband and I have met (sheesh..it’s been 7 years now!) and shared a meal, and even though her user name makes it clear she has a faith position, she isn’t overt about it in her personal interactions.

People that use that expression do so because they NEED to make sure others know they think of themselves as godly, yet are the first ones to not hold the door for you, the ones that go from the back of the line to the new register that has opened, passing others that have been waiting longer, don’t give way to let you change lanes, aren’t charitable, aren’t generally kind or decent or even nice, etc. etc. etc. In other words, the primary commandment of their religions leader is patently ignored.

(**And yes, LiberalJesusFreak, I’m talking to you, doll!! )

[Tipperary]

113. Oh please.

Codswallop.

[A HERETIC I AM]

117. LOL!

“Codswallop”!!!

What next? You gonna call me a ne’er do well? A guttersnipe?

I see your Codswallop and raise you a Balderdash, you cretin!


LOL....

Whatever, pal. Whatthefuckever

[Iggo]

122. Say! What is all this folderol?

[A HERETIC I AM]

123. I dunno. I'm just gonna go for a walk.

[phylny]

80. I just answer by smiling. No need for me to be an asshole to someone.

And...I'm Presbyterian elder. I never say this to anyone, ever.

[Joinfortmill]

81. Evangelical Christian

Instead of saying goodbye or have a nice day.

[3catwoman3]

82. The lactation consultant who recently retired from the...

...pediatric office where I work would end all her new mom consultations with that phrase. Always wore a crucifix.

We serve families from many different cultures. I think people should keep their religious views under wraps in their professional settings.

[mr_lebowski]

83. If I'm feeling quick, I tend to reply to all such religious admonishments with the Spock hand symbol

and reply 'Live Long and Prosper', with a deadpan and earnest expression, perhaps with a small nod of the head to convey that I'm quite serious about conveying these sage words unto them.

Some may 'get it', many will not ... but either way ... who can get bent about being advised to live long and prosper?

I'm just lettin' my Logical Scientist flag fly, like they did with their Magic Sky Creature.

[Mariana]

87. Someone I know likes to reply, "R'amen".

I never hear it. Where I live, it's still considered impolite to gratuitously inject one's religion into non-religious interactions, especially with strangers. Very few people do it.

[littlemissmartypants]

114. I identify with your reply. That...

It's "...considered impolite to gratuitously inject one's religion into non-religious interactions, especially with strangers." Unfortunately, we are living in times when few people care about etiquette. I feel yours is the overwhelmingly appropriate outlook. Add it to the sex, money, politics list of discussion topics to be avoided. I would also add one's health as a gauche topic. Just my two cents.

[emmaverybo]

84. I'll take it. If people wish me well, I will accept their good intentions in any language or

denomination. As long as they don’t try to convert me.

[Laffy Kat]

88. Xtians say it to each other.

Even though I do not like it when someone says it to me, I tell myself it's an attempted courtesy. I never say it back. Instead, I say "thank you for your help" or something like that. I don't appreciate other people simply assuming I'm a Christian. Frankly, I don't even like "Merry Christmas" and I always answer, "and you have wonderful holidays."

[KY_EnviroGuy]

89. Evangelical self-righteousness disguised as humility. In other words....

I'm the one around here that's authorized by (god of choice) to pass out the few good days available.....

First heard in Southern parts I frequented from deep-brainwashed evangelicals and pious prosperity gospelites.

[mitch96]

92. I get it mostly from evangelical types from the mega churches..

Especially if they don't get their way.. a sort of "fuck you" if you will.. I like the muslim response... second to "blessed be".. or maybe both?
m

[StarfishSaver]

97. You must not spend time around a very diverse group of people

Last edited Thu Dec 5, 2019, 12:12 PM - Edit history (1)

As I and some others have said here, this is a common greeting among African Americans and others. I just don't understand why people here are so nasty about what is a kindly-intentioned greeting.

Unfortunately, some progressives seem to think that looking down on and being cruel and condescending to religious people proves how cool, woke and enlightened they are (Bill Maher comes to mind). It's actually quite the opposite. It's just as much a display of ignorance and intolerance as that we criticize those on the right for engaging in.

[luvs2sing]

105. Thank you for this.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[mitch96]

111. ouch!

I just don't understand:
Unfortunately, some progressives:
It's just as much a display of ignorance:

I was just sharing my experience with the term as other have...
I hope the poke in the eye makes you feel a bit better. Sorry if it offended you
Have a great day...
m

[LanternWaste]

93. Sounds both oppressive and exclusive.

Civility can be ruthless.

[Tracer]

94. When I read posts and replies like this one,

I often feel like I'm living in a different country than the post responders.

Never in my life have I been on the receiving end of "Have a blessed day". If it happened, I think that I'd be so nonplussed as to be speechless. Because it would be so out of the ordinary common interactions with store clerks here.

"Have a nice day" is the trite goodbye from clerks and a quick "thanks" is all I can manage.

[lillypaddle]

99. You must not live in the south.

See my post below.

[lillypaddle]

98. Really common in the south

People end their phone message recordings with this. Heard it in Atlanta ALL the time, not so much here in KY. I find it offensive for some reason.

[Lars39]

102. They don't say, "I hope you have a blessed day."

They say “Have a blessed day.” (A command sentence, btw), which to me sounds like a “walk with God and you’ll be blessed” type of thing, or that they themselves have the power to make someone have a day blessed by God. Either way it’s inappropriate to say that to someone if you
work with the public.

[CanonRay]

101. We say "blessed be" in our UU congregation all the time.

Could have been a UU.

[handmade34]

104. wow

replies here are interesting... civility has gone by the wayside most everywhere, it seems...

unless snarky, I always assume people mean well with most greetings...

"Have a blessed day" is most certainly a Christian greeting but no reason to suspect evil doing or subtle anything

a simple... Thank You... and you as well, Namaste (“I bow down to the divinity within you" ), have a nice day, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, a nice smile, bonjour (or what ever language suits you) are all wonderful ways to respond

[Turbineguy]

109. Interesting is right.

I have been here for 15 years an this is the most responses I've ever had on one of my treads.

What emerges to me is it's better to be nice to people, especially in this time.

[lark]

106. If you are in the south - no - it's just common usage.

They say it all the time here in the Bible belt, it just means have a good day. It's used for one and all and especially common among
AA;s here. I never heard this when I was living in CA, think it's just a southern thing. It's the direct opposite of - "well bless his heart", which is mainly used sarcastically.

[NurseJackie]

108. It used to bother me... and I still think it sounds "forced" and insincere.

It used to bother me. Rather than being an expression of good will, it always sounded "forced" and insincere to me. It always came across as someone who wanted to continually announce to the world "Hey! I'm a Christian, are you?" or "Hey! I'm religious and spiritual, so I'm better than you."

But, I don't feel that way any more. I just accept the words as being genuine and without malice or judgement.

In response, I'll say "thank you" or "you have a nice day too" (or both).

Same thing for "Merry Christmas" greetings. I'll echo the sentiment with "Happy Holidays to you too!"

[Duncan Grant]

110. It's considered a cringeworthy faux pas where I live.

There’s no Christian cultural hegemony here - and millions of us like it that way.

People from all over the world live here and manage to be courteous and professional without ever uttering “bless-ed” anything (outside of a religious context).

“Hello”, “thank you” and “have a good (or nice) day” - offered with a smile - work perfectly.

[moriah]

112. As long as they didn't say "blessed be the fruit", you should be safe shopping there.

I have heard "Have a blessed day" growing up in the South so much it really doesn't register.

And at least it's a polite, not-holiday based greeting this time of year -- may even be a dodge to avoid the whole thing at this time of year, truth be told.

The person saying it may have a religious reason for choosing that phrasing, but they aren't invoking any particular deity's "blessing" by the mere phrase.

[EX500rider]

116. I say "Vaya con Dios" all the time to people...and i am a atheist...

....but it was a common good bye phrase I picked up in my childhood living in Costa Rica.

[OriginalGeek]

118. My close co-workers know I'm an atheist but I still get a "Bless you"

when I sneeze. I tell them It won't do any good but I appreciate the sentiment.


There's a lady at the drive-thru window where I go for lunch a lot who always says "Have a blessed day" and I just smile and say "You too" and go pick up my food at the next window. One time I dropped about 75 cents in change during the hand-off and started to get out of my car to get it to hand to her and she said "don't even worry about it I got you covered." That actually was a blessing.

[dawg]

120. "Bless you" doesn't necessarily have to be about God.

Toto blessed the rains down in Africa.

[Throckmorton]

119. Should have answered them, "Bright Suns".

Very Disney Star Wars-ish.

[mitch96]

121. I'm curious how this got started...

Who was the guy/girl with said.. "instead of thank you say " have a blessed day"?
When did it start and by whom?
m