The ancient custom of following an “achoo” with a “God bless you” has held steadfast for nearly seven centuries.

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So whether you say “bless you,” “gesundheit” or “stop that,” responding to a sneeze is one of those funny little rituals that keeps society running smoothly—like holding the door ...

So whether you say “bless you,” “gesundheit” or “stop that,” responding to a sneeze is one of those funny little rituals that keeps society running smoothly—like holding the door ...

However, if someone sneezes and you don’t say “bless you,” they might feel like you’re ignoring them. Some people even think it’s rude not to say it!

Additionally, in many parts of the United States, "God bless you" is a widely used phrase after a sneeze. However, some prefer the term "gesundheit," a German word meaning "health." ...

In some beliefs, sneezing was thought to expel demons or evil spirits from the body. Saying “bless you” was a way to ward off these spirits and protect the sneezer from further demonic attention.

Saying bless you is so ingrained in the American culture that if you sneeze and no one near you acknowledges, it creates a very noticeable, weird feeling. "That person is rude.