to think that people who say

[onalifeglug]

"gesundheit" when you sneeze just sound totally wanky, or sound as if they're trying to be a bit "whacky & different" (think Colin Hunt from The Fast Show) bleurk!!

Unless they are German of course - and even then I'm not 100% sure that Germans actually say this as a response to sneezing!!

If David Brent was a real person, he would say "gesundheit"

Yes...Yes...Yes...they are a bit wanky. But then I say certain French phrases...which I began to do in a wanky way on purpose and now are part of who I am...a wanker!

My mum's German, and always says gesundheit.

I did say unless they're German just in case you think I'm referring to your mum as wanky!!

Or were you referring to me not being 100% sure that Germans even say it as a response to sneezing?

I do the French thing too. I know it irritates the DDs because they say so. So far nobody else has pulled me up on it, but I do try really hard not to do it on here...

YANBU it is wanky.

spent ten years in austria getting funny looks for saying "bless you" after anyone sneezed....

Yes, I was referring to you not being quite sure if germans use it.

But yes, she can be wanky sometimes

Someone in my office does it regularly and it makes me inwardly cringe every time!

Unfortunately social convention dictates that I can't tell him that it makes me want to pull his arm off and beat him with the soggy end!

MDS, it means 'health', as in good health I think.

Never, ever heard anyone say that in response to a sneeze before.

But yes, unless they were German, I would think they were a wanker if they did.

Mmmmmmmmmmm. It sort of depends. Never heard anyone use the German term before I do say the French word 'sante' when someone sneezes. Not because I'm being affected or wanky but because that's what my French Mum always said and by the time I realised it was a French word and no one else said it, it was too late because it's an automatic response.

My sons 10 and 6 also say it so can we say its only wanky if you're not German and have no German speaking people in your family tree????

yes bod that's what I was getting at, people who say it just to appear "whacky & different" and no other reason.

It really boils my piss!!

Is "gezondheid" allowed? (Dutch)

My billingual DH says this in response to sneezing.

Yes, think you might be slightly missing the point - if you (or your DH or mother or mother's friend) are bi-lingual, it's totally understandable, it's the affectation I can't stand

P.S forgot to say,santa my mum always bought us a broons annual and a oor wullie annual when we were kids!!

I turned the tables this year and bought her an oor wullie annual, couldn't find an up to date broons or would have got her that as well!!

YANBU

However, I am happy to admit I'm a bit wanky.

My mum has about the same social manners as the average flowerpot. I was very confused the first time someone blessed me after I sneezed. I think I was about eight.

And now that I'm grown up to understand the point of it, I don't really like 'bless you' and all the religious rhetoric and history that it implies.

So I prefer gesundheit or sante. Although I sometimes say "bless you" in a very sanctimonious way when DP farts.

Although saying 'ciao' too much or shortening the word 'cappuccino' pisses me off no end.

I just say "stay away from me for fucks sake"

No, not missing the point, hence the after my post.

You won't have found a Broons annual this year because they are done year about. If it was Oor Wullie at Christmas time 2010, then it will be The Broons this year.