Ah, bless.

Oops I used it several times yesterday in an emergency medical veterinary situation. I don't really know why, maybe I was just stuck for proper words and wanted to show sympathy.
But you're kind of right M0nica in that I was trying to sort of not talk the medical stuff, so I see your analogy.
Where did the saying originate? Religious, I am guessing. Why is it used for sneezing?

I’m afraid I use it when I getting sweet videos of my little family members but thankfully it’s only to myself. I’d hate it if someone said to me.

It’s not a phrase I recall hearing until a few years ago. ‘Bless you’ used if you sneezed, certainly, but I was told that it’s not polite to comment on that.

‘Bless’ often used on Facebook pages, accompanied by ‘Hun’ or ‘Babe’.

All very irritating.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I totally agree. The expression leaves me cringing. Being temporarily in a wheelchair and relying on friend 'Pushers', the worst scenario is meeting total strangers who stand behind me 'Aw Bless'ing me and asking how I am to my 'Pusher' rather than me.

And I thought the days of 'does she take sugar?' had gone. All sympathies to others. who because of being wheel bound, have to put up with this all the time

It drives my daughter crazy I might you it with a small child more in the ‘bless her’ than ‘ahh bless’ but never with an adult and I hate it used for an adult I also hate the full on endearments from strangers There’s a tradesman down the road who calls me his princess and sweetie I just won’t go in the shop any more Hun is my most non favourite word from anyone, but a total stranger as in shop assistant, no thank you

Some of the younger teachers used it frequently when referring to their pupils and it irritated me intensely, along with the Headmaster calling the Infants 'kiddies'.

It irritates me too. I have no idea why, but I find the phrase patronising.

I find it incredibly patronising as well.

I find it irritating except when our lovely roofer says it to me.

I find it patronising and irritating too, though am sure those younger people usually women, who use it, mean it kindly.
I wish they would stop though.

Happy to join your campaign to have it banned M0nica. Odious phrase!

Whoops, I’ve just said “Bless you all” on the GM thread. Seems as if I’ve inadvertently upset a lot of GN’s. Certainly not meant, but I suppose lots of phrases can be upsetting/annoying to some in certain situations. I can’t stand “you guys”, or just “guys” when used in, for example, a restaurant by the person taking your order or checking if your meal is ok.
I suppose, too, it depends upon the context in which something is said.

M0nica

On several threads people have complained about the constant use of the phrase 'Ah, bless' when talking to older people andthey, like me, clearly find it irritatingly patronising and dismissive.

If not being used to refer to older people it is used for small children and dogs, and I identify with neither.

We have a nurse practioner in our surgery, who uses the phrase constantly, and on those rare occasions I need medical attention I try to avoid seeing her, because I find it so irritating and insulting and as if it is an anodyne phrase being used to dismiss my real medical concerns.

How about a campaign to get the phrase banned?!

Ask that nurse to stop. She probably isn't aware that people find it irritating.

Worth a try anyway.

I got showered with endearments in a charity shop the other day because I'd misread (or possibly not read at all) the price on a small vase and had to rummage for another 50p. Internally I smiled because I suspect the woman showering me was about my age. Externally the enderaments rolled off me as raindrops off the provervial duck's back.

How do I manage to feel totally uninsulted/unirritated when so many seem to rage ( <-- deliberate exaggeration alert!)? Perhaps it's because I DON'T CARE what some nurse or shop assistant thinks of me.

Try it. Works a treat.

A campaign to get a phrase, not including any bad language, banned. Are you for real?

Bless you is one thing ( as in bless you for doing that ) but ah bless is hideous and goes with hun, lovely lady, hubby…..

Think this thread is tongue in heek maddyone.

But that’s merely a trivial opinion and certainly wouldn’t merit a campaign?. Nor would I be rude enough to ask a nurse to stop saying it !

I hate those terms , young girl on till at supermarket kept calling me sweetheart yesterday! Much as I dislike those patronizing terms I never say so at the time - why is that I wonder ?

I really don't recall having it said to me. Or maybe I just haven't noticed. But I don't think I'd be bothered. It's meant kindly and it's better than being called something unpleasant or being ignored isn't it?

I think ‘Bless you’ for sneezing comes from God Bless You, because sneezing was a symptom of plague, so you needed God’s blessing.

It doesn't bother me at all, neither does anyone calling me luvvy, Princess, love, hun etc. I don't see them as patronising terms, just someone being friendly.

I quite agree Curlywhirly. Offence is often taken where none is intended,

Ì have held off Facebook until recently joining, as all village events and Dr surgery info are now on fb.
One of the first things I noticed was there would a photo or map
And ...
With Fred and Mary in Tunbridge Wells Feeling blessed ?

Guilty of using Bless here in response to lovely videos of my DGS. However, we also use it in a slightly sarcastic way. eg: Mary’s (entitled) son is in a strop as she won’t let him borrow her car - to which we’d say ‘bless’. A bit more polite than tough sh*t!