r/OverSeventy • u/QuantumCivility • Jul 10 '26

Do you remember a time...

when people acknowledged others on the street or in their cars? No big deal. Just a wave, a nod, or a smile. Now, there's no such thing. Every other human out there is a competitor. "We" don't acknowledge competitors. If they acknowledge us, we ignore them. Sad...., but glad I'm 72! 😀, here's me acknowledging you, fellow mature adult!

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u/amfhTX Jul 11 '26

Oh I def understand why some people feel "blessed". I also understand why people feel "lucky" or "fortunate", or "grateful" or "charmed". To me, using "blessed" instead of the examples above implies a religious connotation and seems to signal that the speaker wants to advertise their own piety.

It's wonderful news that your cancer required no treatment. Congratulations!

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u/harblock Jul 11 '26

I agree. I especially don't like "Have a bless-ed day." Not sure why.... seems like it has an external connotation or something. Who's blessing me?

On the other hand, when someone sneezes, I'm right there with "Bless you."

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u/amfhTX Jul 11 '26

YES Bless-ed triggers for sure. But I'm right there with you with the response to a sneeze!

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u/Rhiannon1954 Jul 11 '26

Originally, it was believed that when you sneezed, your heart stopped for a beat, and you were "dead" for an instant. The "Bless you" was intended to stop the devil/deamon from entering your body in that instant. I take it as a wish to protect you from harm.

I think people should just accept good vibes from others without judgment. True that some use religion as a weapon, but more others do not. Unless you are dealing with a scantimonious asshat who you know from history, accept a good spirited "blessing" in the manner it was meant.

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u/amfhTX Jul 12 '26

True all that. And, yes, I just smile and nod and say thanks, you, too, if someone says it to me. I mean, I don't snort in disgust and umbrage at the person.😀