| Q:
Hey! So I was wondering
if it is "proper" to say "bless you" or
"god bless you" when somebody sneezes. I know that
people say it because they used to think that your soul would
escape or something when someone sneezes. Since most people don’t
believe that anymore, is it still necessary to say that? Thanx!
Tif
A:
Call me old fashioned, but I still think it’s nice when
someone sends a sympathetic "bless you" or "gesundheit"
in my direction upon hearing me sneeze. Necessary? Of course
not. I’m not terribly worried about my soul – as I was once
told, given my status as a blaspheming agnostic bordering on
outright heretical atheist, my soul is pretty much doomed to
eternal hell as it is, and I’ve certainly made no efforts to
rectify that fate even since hearing that bit of news. No, it’s really as simple as the fact that, as a long-time hay
fever sufferer, I have a lot of experience with how miserable it
feels to have the uncontrollable sneezies. Sneezing feels
terrible – your nose is all itchy, maybe a little runny even,
your throat might be tickling a little, and if you’ve been a
considerate, thoughtful sneezer, you’re probably left with an
oh-so-lovely residue of spit and germs all over your hand
afterwards. Nobody enjoys sneezing, or does it if they don’t
really, truly have to. A kind "bless you" or the like
from a friend or stranger is merely a reassurance that someone
out there cares that I feel terrible, and hopes that I’ll feel
better soon. Like I said, it’s just nice, even if I won’t
lose my soul in the absence of any such blessing.
Q:
Are gifts to be given at an engagement party?
|
| The
purpose of the engagement party is simply to formally announce
the engaged status of a couple to their friends and families —
no hidden gift-grubbing agendas implied. Naturally, if you’re
feeling particularly overwhelmed with a need to bestow a gift of
congratulations upon the newly betrothed couple, you should feel
free to do so, but by no means is a gift generally expected at
these sorts of functions.
keep
reading for more etiquette quandaries!
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