Picture this. You're sitting in the train station when a complete stranger sitting next to you lets out a monstrous sneeze throwing spit and snot half a mile through the air like an exploding car bomb. You turn to him with a courteous smile on your face and politely utter, "God bless you." If you were in some other English speaking country you might say, "Gesundheit" to the fellow. If you were in some Spanish speaking country you would state, "Salud." Frankly no matter what part of the world you were in, you would say something to the sneezer to wish him good health. My question is this: WHY!?

Why do we feel the need to say something to someone after he/she sneezes? We don't say anything to someone after they cough. Should we? Am I not being polite by not saying anything to my buddy when he's done hacking up a lung? Although if it were that bad I might ask if he's okay. But I certainly would not wish a blessing upon him or good health. Who ever started that fad for sneezing anyway? The Romans thousands of years ago? The Ancient Greeks perhaps? And why do we continue to do it today? I'm getting ready to start protesting this conception because it makes no sense whatsoever. And to top it off, Americans are too lazy to say the whole "God bless you" phrase so it has been truncated to "Bless you," but most people are still too lazy to even pronounce that properly so it has gotten slurred to "Bleshyou" which isn't even a flippin' word! Why is sneezing so special as to warrant a response from an observer? Think about it next time. Why do you do say anything (if you do)? Is that not one of the most idiotic habits or what? Although I still think it is polite for the sneezer to pardon himself afterwards. Just as he should do after coughing, burping or cutting the cheese. Ewe I hate cheese!