I’m reading Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship along with our Lenten Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount. I’m not sure when I last spent any time with this Christian classic (25 years, 35 years?).

From ancient plagues to polite reflexes, here's why we say "bless you"—and what other sneezeworthy phrases people use around the world My husband scream-sneezes. I’m not talking about just a loud ...

Ever since I can remember, I have always responded with a “God bless you,” when I saw someone sneeze. I was told that it was kind and proper to do so without ever understanding why I was being taught ...

You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Only I checked, and there is no mention of a Guinness World Record for “Longest Spate of Bless Yous” ...

Here’s a cool thing. When you’re sick, or allergic, or something flies up your nose, and you spasm and expel mucus, it’s polite for anyone around you, including complete strangers, to call attention ...

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The phrase “bless you” is almost reflexive in many cultures, uttered almost immediately after someone sneezes. But why do we say it? This tradition, steeped in history, superstition, and religion, ...

Good manners dictate that every sneeze should be followed by some variation of “bless you.” Whether it’s a wall-shaking nasal explosion or a dainty achoo, no sneeze is complete without it. But have ...

We learn a number of social cues from an early age. It’s impolite to cough without covering our mouths. We say thank you when people give us things like money or cake. And when someone rears back and ...