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On the subject of sneezes, and more in line with the OP, something that greatly annoys me is the whole “bless you”/“gesundheit”/whatever protocol for sneezes. Odds are my sneeze was not symptomatic of the plague or any other life threatening condition. I’m not certain, at this point, of the existence of a soul. I am fairly certain, however, that if I do have one, it will not escape through my nose. I don’t receive similar special treatment when I cough, burp, or fart. Why does a sneeze merit any sort of response at all? It really bothers me. I never react at all when people sneeze; I don’t see the need. I’ve been told before that I’m rude because I don’t say “bless you”. Really? Also, I don’t thank someone when they bless me (are they some sort of priest or other holy sort?) after I sneeze, and I’ve been called out on that, as well.
Also, apparently I sometimes cough in such a way as can easily be mistaken for a sneeze. Despite my aversion to the whole “bless you” protocol, I still occasionally find myself explaining that “no, I just coughed”, when someone blesses me after mistaking my cough for a sneeze. To which they generally seem understanding, so my lack of thanks is no longer uncouth, as they see that I wasn’t in need of blessing after all. Madness, I say!
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I’m in love with you…