Does anybody else not know they're about to sneeze...

[LaMarschallin]

...or is it just DH?

I always know that I'm going to sneeze, hold my breath waiting for it (and get that sharp tingling in my nose if it doesn't happen).
DH, OTOH, will do an enormous "WAAAASHOOOO!" noise (like people used to do at school, presumably to get attention), then look astonished and say, "What was that?" or "Where did that come from?".

I patiently explain that "that" was a sneeze and they're quite common.
I used to say "Your nose/mouth, obviously" to the "where did it come from question", but last time explained that the sneeze-stork must have brought it.

This bit of sarcasm went down badly, but really!
Do sneezes always take anyone else by complete surprise Every Bloody Time?

PS He also always seems to have had any symptoms that I mention having ("Oh! I've had a dicky stomach too" or "That's odd because I've noticed a bit of a headache myself") and then goes on about them (when I want sympathy, despite having not mentioned them or appeared to have any problems right up until then).

Sometimes like 1 of every 4 it surprises me.

Are you married to my husband? He does both of these things.

His sneezes make me jump every time but he insists he can’t give a warning, because he doesn’t know they’re coming. Maybe I’m the unusual one in being able to say “I’m about to sneeze”

Never. I honestly couldn't live like that. How have you not caved his head in?

Craddle64

Sometimes like 1 of every 4 it surprises me.

That's interesting. Obviously, I've only my own experience to draw on but I always know when I'm just about to sneeze.
He seems amazed every time and doesn't seem to realise that it's an entirely normal bodily function but rather thinks it's worthy of discussion.

RiseoftheSeahorse

Are you married to my husband?

Well, I'm glad I'm not alone.
I guess I think that - even if he can't feel it coming - he shouldn't find it unreasonable that he has the odd sneeze and shouldn't have to speculate "why" every time he does.
And he's always been like this: it's not Covid related.

Plussizejumpsuit

Never. I honestly couldn't live like that. How have you not caved his head in?

He does have redeeming features
And I've learned, over the years, not to say things like "Bless you! Have you a cold coming?". If I do, there's then loads of speculation along the lines of "I don't know! Maybe I do. I have had a few sniffles... Do you think I might...?" etc. causing me to reply "Godssake! I don't know - you know how you feel".

He's obviously a bit of a hypochondriac but I find it hard to see how sneezing is always sooo surprising to him.

@LaMarschallin

...or is it just DH?

I always know that I'm going to sneeze, hold my breath waiting for it (and get that sharp tingling in my nose if it doesn't happen).
DH, OTOH, will do an enormous "WAAAASHOOOO!" noise (like people used to do at school, presumably to get attention), then look astonished and say, "What was that?" or "Where did that come from?".

I patiently explain that "that" was a sneeze and they're quite common.
I used to say "Your nose/mouth, obviously" to the "where did it come from question", but last time explained that the sneeze-stork must have brought it.

This bit of sarcasm went down badly, but really!
Do sneezes always take anyone else by complete surprise Every Bloody Time?

PS He also always seems to have had any symptoms that I mention having ("Oh! I've had a dicky stomach too" or "That's odd because I've noticed a bit of a headache myself") and then goes on about them (when I want sympathy, despite having not mentioned them or appeared to have any problems right up until then).

My husband mimics my symptoms too. Does my head in.

Me. I usually know they are coming, but sometimes, (as above maybe 1 in 4) a loud sneeze will just erupt without warning and i won't have time to stifle it.

Most are not a complete surprise...but don't come with much warning.

I also struggle to manage delicate sneezing and coughing. The gentle achoo, or uh hem...nope always seem to sound like a small explosion or like I've been on 40 a day for life... think it's how the pipes are arranged...

I don't ask where they come from though....

I'm more irritated though by the 'I think I'm going to sneeze' nose wiggle 'sniff sniff' gasp in, flicking eyes performance. Normally have to stop conversations so everyone waits for the sneeze to pass... half the time, after all the face wiggling, its 'oh oh it's gone now I think'.... honestly just get the sneeze over with! I will say bless you mid sentence and continue...

I always know that I'm going to sneeze, hold my breath waiting for it

Hmmm, in the interests of impartiality, do you also close your eyes and put your finger up to silence the person you’re talking to until the sneeze has happened?

ShirleyPhallus

I always know that I'm going to sneeze, hold my breath waiting for it

Hmmm, in the interests of impartiality, do you also close your eyes and put your finger up to silence the person you’re talking to until the sneeze has happened?

No, I promise I don't. Hopefully the beeath-holding isn't obvious, but it does help get the sneeze over with more quickly.

My dad claims the same about surprise sneezes. They are also unsociably loud as well.

I remember him doing one in the car once, which sounded like a bomb going off and he “didn’t have the forewarning to cover his mouth” .

I don't always know when I am about to sneeze. I also sneeze very loudly and with some force behind it. I know that generally mumsnetters hate that and say one should control it but it is not as easy as that. If I try and control a sneeze I end up with a split lip, usually bottom ( and copious amounts of blood) but sometimes both, and it is still loud. Occasionally my sneeze will be quieter but really I have no control of the situation.

@nikkylou you've described me exactly, I'm so sorry!! I can just feel them building up for ages and sometimes the sneeze needs a bit of help getting out, sometimes it never materialises at all - it's just as annoying for me, honest!

I have that sensitivity where light makes me sneeze. So sometimes if I go into a bright room or the sun suddenly hits me, it'll bring on all the sneezy feelings and I have to go and look out of the window or at a light to get it to go. I know people must think I'm bizarre.

I usually get some warning but not enough to announce to people I'm going to sneeze.

If i get a surprise sneeze and i try to contain it, or at least minimise it, it ends up coming out like a mini scream.

I sneeze when I come from an dark room into brighter light. I do get warning as I can feel the tickle in my nose but I cannot speak to warn others otherwise the sneeze gets lost and my eyes start fizzing and watering which is worse than the sneeze in the first place. I try to keep them quiet when in public but at home alone I rattle the foundations. My sneezes come in pairs, one for each nostril.