"God Bless!"

[The Dawktor]

OK- I've had 3 of my 'customers', in a row, this morning who have muttered "God Bless" to me at the end of our interaction.

My temptation to say "Oh, I really doubt that!" has to be squashed for professional reasons. I would definitely say something if I were away from the work setting. What would you say in response to a polite and sincerely said "God Bless"- seriously?

[Feck]

I reply "I doubt it !"

[Thinking Aloud]

Difficult one. Some people will say it as an essentially meaningless expression, just like "See you again." Unless they look up at the sky, hands pressed together in prayer, I'd just ignore. Otherwise you've got to take the same kind of stance whenever anyone says "goddamn" or "Jesus!" or "for christ's/god's sake" in anger - they're invoking the same kind of meaningless reference.

[Pappa]

OK- I've had 3 of my 'customers', in a row, this morning who have muttered "God Bless" to me at the end of our interaction.

My temptation to say "Oh, I really doubt that!" has to be squashed for professional reasons. I would definitely say something if I were away from the work setting. What would you say in response to a polite and sincerely said "God Bless"- seriously?

Would it be unprofessional to simply say, "I'm an atheist"?

Though, I'd be inclined to say, "Fuck off will you".

[Geoff]

OK- I've had 3 of my 'customers', in a row, this morning who have muttered "God Bless" to me at the end of our interaction.

My temptation to say "Oh, I really doubt that!" has to be squashed for professional reasons. I would definitely say something if I were away from the work setting. What would you say in response to a polite and sincerely said "God Bless"- seriously?

It might depend what ailment they came to you with. Something like "Antibiotics are more effective."

[Gawdzilla Sama]

"Which one?"

"Sorry, I mythed that?"

"Fat lot of good it's done the others you've blessed."

"Bless me with the power to know bullshit when I see it!"

[nellikin]

didn't somebody once suggest - Oh, and can he sacrifice a goat too? Or is that after "I'll pray for you".

Hey, at least you don't live in Southern Germany. They greet each other with "Gruess Gott" and say goodbye with "Pfuerti" which is derived from - and God leads you (or some such shit). Whenever I visit I'm noticably non-conformist, sticking to ye ol "Hallo"

[Trolldor]

Hiss and recoil.

[floppit]

At work it makes me feel like I've done a good job (my job in no way involves skepticising the general public!). At home I haven't really noticed it much, friends know I'm an atheist and if I lent a hand and someone that didn't know me said it I doubt I'd think about it at all.

Where I used to live old timers say 'Blesha' frequently through any type of personal conversation. I used to love it, the sound of it, the sentiment, the affection - it was like super warm slippers!

One thing I adore about not being a theist is there's no compulsion to convert others - at least I feel none.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I had a person get really mad at me for not saying "God Bless You!" when he sneezed. I told him I would have been more inclined to do so if he'd covered his nose when he sneezed.

[The Dawktor]

I had a person get really mad at me for not saying "God Bless You!" when he sneezed. I told him I would have been more inclined to do so if he'd covered his nose when he sneezed.

All praise the king of mucous/mucus! :yuk:

[Xamonas Chegwé]

"... and may Mogda reward you with her drippings."

[Coito ergo sum]

I usually just say, "thanks," just like when someone wishes me a Happy Hannuka (sp?).

[cowiz]

God bless you for starting this wonderful thread.

[Robert_S]

At work it makes me feel like I've done a good job (my job in no way involves skepticising the general public!). At home I haven't really noticed it much, friends know I'm an atheist and if I lent a hand and someone that didn't know me said it I doubt I'd think about it at all.

Where I used to live old timers say 'Blesha' frequently through any type of personal conversation. I used to love it, the sound of it, the sentiment, the affection - it was like super warm slippers!

One thing I adore about not being a theist is there's no compulsion to convert others - at least I feel none.

I feel the same way. I'm not going to be an ass about someone merely wishing me well in their customary way, it's just like saying "good luck". Does anyone think they'll be any luckier from someone wishing them luck?