Why do people say "God Bless You" when you sneeze but not when you cough?

United States
August 20, 2009 9:55pm CST
Why do people say "God Bless You" when you sneeze but not when you cough? I know this is random, but the question came to me today during an appointment I had. I though the woman I was with was going to sneeze, so I was ready to say "bless you", but she coughed instead, so I didn't say anything. Why don't we say something when a person coughs? Is there a reason behind the "bless you", or is it just something randomly started that has carried on through generations?
3 responses
itsmychoice
@itsmychoice (382)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Well what I have heard is from years ago, it seems that when you sneeze, it is because some bad evil in your body is being expelled, and as you sneeze, you stop breathing, and your heart skips a beat as symbolic of being baptized by water the same thing happens, so others may say God bless you as when your baptised. And saying God bless you, is supposed to lock the bad spirits out of your soul, so they don't return.
patofgold23
@patofgold23 (5069)
• Philippines
21 Aug 09
lolz........... thanks for bringin it up happy... i just realized.. i do that a lot.. yet I don't even know the logic behind it....
jebbbbzzzdebebz
@jebbbbzzzdebebz (210)
• United States
21 Aug 09
I remember someone telling me what the reflex going on when you sneeze is the closest possible physical reaction to a heart attack than an actual heart attack, or something, I guess because you have no control. But I understand your point, I mean how often is sneezing critical? Much less than coughing is that's for sure.