why do people say "bless you" when you sneeze?

I say "Gesundheit" too

 

I say gesundheit as well, in an exaggerated german accent

 

I dont say bless you and I tell ppl not to say it to me either... if they do I ignore them.. I mean qeeeze if you have a sneezing fit, then how much time are they wasting saying bless you...
a distraction is all it is. loss of productivity in the work place..

 

Round here folks say Gezondheid! when I sneeze, which I find even more irritating than the fact I have to sneeze all day when I have hay fever. I have been known to quite bluntly tell random people to fuck off when this happens. Oh oh oh, Gezondhied! As if saying Gezondheid is going to make me stop sneezing or help me in any way. Annoying bastards.

 

for many years, i was taught that you have to say bless you when someone sneezes. it was just basic manners, like saying please and thank you. thus, i tend to do it without even thinking about it.

 

It's your soul escaping!


Apparently.