When you sneeze in a crowd, what do you say?

[Duer 157099]

If you say anything, it is most likely "Excuse me" or "sorry".

Therefore, the logical thing for people around the sneezer to say is not anything about blessings, but rather "You're excused" or "Apology accepted" or "No apology needed" or something along those lines.

Let's hear some more more-appropriate responses to sneezing.

[hobbit709]

1. I usually say "Damn allergies"

[frogmarch]

47. Me too!

I never have colds, but I sneeze a lot anyway. Damn allergies.

[Mz Pip]

2. I'm tempted to say

"I really neede to do something about this Ebola," but I don't.

[lpbk2713]

3. "Here. Let me wipe that off."

[surfdog]

4. "damn bird flu"

[The Straight Story]

5. I don't say anything because something is bound to upset some tolerance deficient person

Who later calls themselves progressive and talks about what a big tent we have...

[PotatoChip]

12. +1

[tammywammy]

35. +1 n/t

[Rex]

6. Depends...if a huge blob of snot goes flying out

I usually say, 'sorry'. If it is just a quiet sneeze with no liquids shooting out of my nose, I don't say anything and move on.

[Cleita]

7. Good health?

That's what the more commonly used German expression gesundheit means.

[appleannie1]

8. I always sneeze at least 20 times in a row so don't have the ability to say anything.

[taterguy]

9. Nothing

[Hippo_Tron]

10. I don't say anything

And it always kind of annoys me that people feel the need to acknowledge that I'm sneezing, especially for every sneeze.

[CTyankee]

11. depending on the situation I say "are you okay?"

I think it acknowledges the sneeze with concern but doesn't inject any religious stuff into it.

[enlightenment]

13. I always say gesundheit.

Health.

It's largely meaningless (although I've always loved the old - and probably incorrect - story that it was actually meant to keep the demons being expelled in the sneeze from inhabiting one's own body . . . less of a blessing than a curse, in that sense!) and mostly reflexive.

[ThoughtCriminal]

14. Remain Calm!

Andromeda can sense fear.

[randome]

15. I don't say anything, either.

I just grab the nearest sleeve to wipe my nose with. (Usually not mine.)

[originalpckelly]

16. Hey, at least I didn't fart too.

But especially on an elevator.

[undeterred]

17. You start singing "I want to pass it on"

[T S Justly]

19. You're so good looking.

[Gore1FL]

20. Achoo

[KamaAina]

21. When someone else sneezes, I say "Kihe, a mauliola"

Hawaiian for gesundheit: "Sneeze, and have a long life."

[Union Scribe]

22. "you're excused" would be so infinitely more offensive than "bless you."

Really, someone "excusing" you for a fucking sneeze?

[eShirl]

24. I say that all the time in reply to "Excuse me." Nobody has taken offense yet.

[eShirl]

23. "Scusi."

short for the Italian phrase mi scusi (excuse me)

[Liberal Veteran]

25. I always say, "Hurry! My soul is missing! Someone bless me, lest I be possessed by Satan!"

So far, most people give me a wide berth after.

[keopeli]

26. First sneeze, I say, "God bless you." Second sneeze, I say, "Good keep you."

Third sneeze, I say, "God dammit, do you have a cold?!"

Not all of my friends appreciate my sense of humor.

Peace

[ManiacJoe]

51. Good one!

[jberryhill]

27. Pass gas loudly at the same time to hide it

[Nye Bevan]

28. I say the Lord's Prayer. Then I sing Onward Christian Soldiers. (nt)

[rusty fender]

33. LOLOLOL!

[bahrbearian]

29. AaaChooooo

[tritsofme]

30. These are the things that keep me up at night.

[onethatcares]

31. "Here, let me wipe that off you"

[Duer 157099]

32. "Be free rhinovirus, be free!"

That might raise some eyebrows.

[Arctic Dave]

34. If someone sneezes, I say

May the Force be with you.

[AsahinaKimi]

36. Most people from Asia

don't follow the practice of saying anything after someone sneezes. Its a natural function, why mention it?

[Tx4obama]

37. The 'sneezer' does not have to say anything - except for 'thank you' after the crowd says ....

'gesundheit' or 'bless you'

I've never in my life heard a sneezer apologizing for sneezing.

This OP is bizarre.

Perhaps it's a region or country practice somewhere?

[Duer 157099]

50. Really? I regularly hear people say "excuse me" after sneezing, or coughing, or burping or whatever

I think it's a good practice especially after sneezing, because it removes that awkward silence where then people feel obligated to say "bless you" or something.

[nenagh]

38. In Ontario, teachers & health professionals...

try to get people to sneeze into their elbow or towards the elbow more sanitary for others? but not the elbow?

[Quantess]

39. "I will return your call at my earliest convenience"

[JoePhilly]

40. Just before I sneeze, I scream .... "RUN!!!!!!"

So no one gets hurt.

[cbrer]

41. "Does anyone have any toilet paper"?

[MichaelMcGuire]

42. I worked in a shop where

this woman sneezed and farted at the same time

[tabasco]

43. Burn the witch!

[Edweird]

44. "Cover your damn mouth next time" works for me :)

[gopiscrap]

45. I usually say

Hey is that my booger on your coat?"

[ashling]

46. Depends on who is in the crowd

If Newt Gingrich is in the crowd, I say, " damned anthrax powder always makes me sneeze"

[Luminous Animal]

48. "You are soooo good lookin'."

[Fuzz]

49. "Damn, I guess I do have ebola."