what does "bless you" mean??

[helpmeexplainthis]

probably the most ridiculous post on here but please dont judge me for this!

what does 'bless you mean'? I dont mean in the context of sneezing, I mean if you said something to someone and they said "oh bless you" or "aw, bless you", or "aw bless."

A lot of my friends say it (possibly a regional thing where I have moved to) but its not a phrase I was familiar with before (outside the context of sneezing obviously!) I have started accidentally copying them and saying it but im not actually quite sure what it means or what the correct context is and I dont want to embarrass myself by asking in case it's obvious!

TIA.

Depends where you are. It's not always a compliment or a kindness.

It’s so sweet. But if you’re in the Southern USA, it’s passive aggressive and it’s meant meanly. “Well, bless your heart”
I can’t stand sarcasm or snide behavior. So I prefer it as kindly meant

It can be lovely, really comforting.
But A local parent uses it with those not in her clique but she has to interact with to wrong foot them.
No longer have anything to do with her but a bunch of us random parents discovered we'd all been 'blessed' when chatting at an overlong school thing.
It was a random discovery because saying 'i felt belittled when Sarah blesses me' wasn't likely to happen.
Nearly ten years on, the lovely randoms all still bless each other and laugh when we run into each other occasionally.

Usually when someone shows a sweet side, kids maybe or kindness is shown from an adult.
Not used sarcastically where I am locally.

I’ve noticed that as you get older it happens more, I’m 68 and the increase is in ‘Bless you’ is tenfold.

I know people mean well, I tell myself that they mean well, but I hate it - it makes me feel so bloody old 😂

It is can come across as patronising and is often said by someone who hasn’t really been listening. It is used by nurses a lot, usually when you are in huge amounts of pain, bleeding heavily or something similar.

Depending on tone, context, and intonation:
-That's a really lovely thing, thank you.
-I'm really sorry that this has happened to you, don't worry.

• usually without the "you" and said sarcastically, you're an idiot and very naive.

Weirdy formatting, sorry!

It can be an acknowledgment that something crap has happened and the speaker can't do a thing about it.

If a friend says it's been a crap week- car has broken down, extra bills have come in, youngest has HFM, there's not much to say except
'bless you, that's crap!'.

I hate it - feels patronising, I grit my teeth until my dcs say it and then I have to say enough, stop!

it can be a little patronising or ‘ah that’s sweet but a bit odd’ sort of thing

It's an expression of empathy.

Had a break up? Bless you, it's tough.

It's also an expression of gratitude.

£50 for my birthday? Oh bless you, you shouldn't have.

When I use it, it's a term of endearment.

I never mean it patronisingly. I guess it's a regional phrase. Unless said sarcastically, I think those who find it patronising are reading into it and creating problems as I've only heard it said in a meaningful, empathic way.

It's very commonly used where I am, but only kindly. It's used as verbal shorthand in a couple of ways:

1. what a hard time you've had, I want to let you know I sympathise;
2. that's so kind of you.

Agree - like you got it slightly wrong but they appreciate you trying. It's an awful statement.

It's short for 'may God bless you' other variations of it is 'God help you/them' or 'God love them'.

It really short prayer for God to make things good for that person.

I hate it. I find it very patronising.

@JudgeRinderonTinder

no I disagree.
i’ve only said and heard it being said nicely or in sympathy

I'm surprised people are saying negative stuff about this phrase. I'd say it 8n various ways. Probably not using it loads though. So if somone did something sweet, silly, cute, kind or niave like going awww. might also say it as a thank you.

Also I'm not remotely religious

I’ve only used it in empathy or being grateful for something.

the people saying it’s negative or patronising obviously don’t have nice friends

I was told when someone sneezed it was thought the devil had entered their soul so you had to Bless them to protect them from evil. I suppose it links to the plague and the idea of illness.
I always say it when someone sneezes.

It's short for "God bless you" which was commonly used back in the days when religion was front and centre in everyone's lives.

Similarly "Goodbye" was originally "God be with you".

I've only used it in a kind sort of verbal hug when someone has told me about something there struggling with x

To me aww bless would be the same as that's nice in a derogatory way. However it's all in the voice and context.