The saying 'God bless'

[SunsetsInVenice]

Long story but I never used to think much of this saying until someone said it to me today as a parting comment. I will never see this person again and it's made me emotional. Aibu to think it means something or just said out of habit?

Depends on the context I guess. My Irish, Catholic Nan said God bless a lot when she was alive.

The people who I know use it, do it because it is absolutely something they mean with all their heart.

Not my thing, but it's the intent behind it that matters.

I'm a Christian and really am praying for a blessing for that person when I say it. I dont say it lightly.

My mum is religious and none of her children are. I know she wants to say this to her at night and it's really difficult not to. Yes, there is a lot to unpick!

I have a family member who says it when we part and also writes it on cards she sends us. She is a Christian and has a great belief in God.

Often is just habit, like Bless You.

I can imagine it could be either sweet or disconcerting.

My DM says it, and my lovely DAunt. I think my DGM always used to - Irish/Scouse catholics.

It could have meaning or could just be a speech habit

Remember that the origin of the word 'goodbye' is a contraction of 'God be with ye' (14th century)

When I was little, not a single member of my family ever went to church, but everyone said "Night, God bless!" when saying goodnight.

I love it. When I was little, my home life was a bit chaotic and I'd often go and stay with my granny. I always associate her home with a lovely sense of calm and order, and when I went to bed, she would always say 'goodnight and god bless'. I say that to my daughter now, and it makes me so happy to think I'm passing down a nice, ordinary, simple tradition. We are Christian, and my granny and grandpa used to take me to church.

I would use it but very sparingly. I’m a Christian and would really mean it. I guess it really depends on who said it and where they sit on the religious bench.

Or some people really mean it but that is actually why they use it a lot?

I'm a bit surprised by the idea that, if you're Christian, of course you'd naturally not want God to bless people very often.

Person is Christian so probably just said out of habit

My Irish dad said it to me every night.
"Night, night, God Bless"

I made sure to say it to him when I left his bedside after he died in a care home last December, I'm not in the slightest bit religious and I felt a bit silly but it felt really important and right.

It's fine if the person using the term believes in God, means it and the person to whom it is addressed is also a believer. It's not something to be trotted out casually. I like it and use it occasionally.

I found it really heartwarming that the older generation would say it to me when I lived in Ireland. It reminded me of my Irish grandma who would always say, "good night, God bless." I always feel it in my heart when I hear it. Like my grandma is here again.

I think that's so important. When my granny was dying, they said that hearing is the last sense to go. He will have heard something he associated with going to sleep in peace, just at the end.

I don't 'God Bless' but I do HATE it when someone says 'awwww bless......' in a patronising manner to someone doing something they regard as 'cute.'

It is used constantly by people over 60 (and other age groups too of course) in Ireland and is more a saying than an actual religious intention. "Good night and god bless". Or maybe if a child did something funny you might say "ahhh god bless him, that's so cute".

Seconded.