What's with "bless ya"

[fessmess]

Is it my age? (Nearly 50) I keep getting this reply when talking to shop assistants/receptionists/bus drivers etc always preceded with an "aw". Am I the only one who finds this IMMENSELY condescending? Where's it come from? Suspecting, as it's always from a younger person it is my age!

Where are you? Ireland?

It literally brings me out in hives when someone says it. Condescending in the extreme.

It's been lovely in my thirties and now early forties not to be patronised as a young woman anymore. Do I have to prepare to be patronised again for my age and sex soon?

Fuck that! How do you react to that, just so I can prepare a few stock answers for the event?

I get this all the time and I am 31. I hate it, my friends say it too!

I've had "Awww bless" from jumped-up young women.

Totally patronising.

I smile and think that I have a great, long term DH, gorgeous DC and earn around 10x their salary.

They can patronise me as much as they want.

I'm trying to imagine the situation. What happens, you go to the receptionist asking "where can I find Mr Smith from Miller & Co?" and they say "bless ya, office 22"? Or "how much is the new iPhone" and they say "bless you"?