People say “Bless you” after a sneeze, but not a cough—why is that?

AdminDecember 27, 2024

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Ever Wondered Why Only Sneezes Get the VIP Treatment?

Alright, imagine this. You’re sitting in class, half-listening, half-daydreaming, when someone sneezes. Instantly, a chorus of “Bless you!” erupts from every direction. But the same guy has been coughing for the past five minutes, and no one bats an eye.

Why?

Why does a sneeze deserve a divine blessing, but a cough just gets ignored like an unpaid intern? Let’s break this down in the simplest way possible.

The History Behind the Blessing

When Sneezing Was a Life-or-Death Situation

A long time ago, people believed sneezing was dangerous. They thought your soul might slip out of your body, or worse, demons might sneak in. Imagine sneezing and suddenly being possessed—pretty terrifying, right? That’s why people started saying “Bless you” to keep the bad vibes away.

The Great Plague and the Pope’s Approval

Back in the days of the Black Death (the plague that wiped out millions), sneezing was a major red flag. Pope Gregory I (yes, a Pope got involved) decided that every sneeze needed an instant “God bless you”—kind of like an automatic safety feature for your soul. This habit stuck around for centuries.

But What About Coughing?

Coughing never got the same treatment because it wasn’t linked to spirits or plagues in the same way. Sure, a cough might mean you’re sick, but it never had that “you might die right now” energy that sneezing had in ancient times.

Science: What Actually Happens in a Sneeze vs. a Cough?

A Sneeze Is Explosive

A sneeze can shoot out at 100 miles per hour and spread germs across a whole room. Your body is literally launching a defense system to clear out irritants in your nose. That’s why it’s loud, sudden, and impossible to control.

A Cough Is More… Meh

Coughing, on the other hand, is your lungs trying to clear out something annoying—like dust, smoke, or phlegm. It’s not as dramatic as a sneeze, and you can usually suppress it. No explosion, no high-speed air travel—just a little “ahem” and we move on.

Social Habits: Why We Still Say It

Conditioning: The Unwritten Rule

Since childhood, we’ve heard people say “Bless you” after sneezes, so we just copy it. It’s like shaking hands or saying “thank you”—nobody questions it; we just do it.

Sneezing Draws More Attention

Think about it. When someone sneezes, the sound is sudden and loud, so it gets noticed. Coughing? Not so much. It’s usually repetitive, quieter, and frankly, annoying if it goes on too long. No one wants to bless something that feels like a background noise at a bad lecture.

Cultural Differences: Do Other Countries Do This?

Not Everyone Says “Bless You”

Germany – They say “Gesundheit” (which just means “health”).
Italy – They say “Salute” (which also means “health”).
Spain – They say “Jesús” (yes, literally calling Jesus).

The common theme? They all focus on health, not spiritual protection.

What About Coughing?

Almost nowhere in the world does anyone bless a cough. The best you might get is someone asking, “You okay?” if it sounds really bad.

Modern Science: Should We Still Say It?

Does It Actually Help?

Absolutely not. Saying “Bless you” doesn’t stop germs, prevent sickness, or save your soul. It’s just a social habit.

Should We Start Blessing Coughs Too?

Imagine if we did. You’d have to say “Bless you” every five seconds in flu season. Exhausting.

Instead, a polite “You good?” or just handing someone a cough drop might be more useful.

The Real Takeaway: Is It Time to Change the Rule?

What If We Just Dropped It?

Think about it. If we stopped saying “Bless you,” would anything actually change? Probably not. But it has become a part of our social script—like saying “sorry” when someone bumps into you. It’s weird, but it’s our weird.