How do you respond to "God bless you?"

[Mr. Wilson]

Very rarely has someone told me those words and most of the time someone does say that to me, they are a bit messed up in the head.  I mean, they just say it to me out of the blue and they are complete strangers whom I've never talked to or done anything for.  Whenever someone says, "God bless you,"  I respond with "God bless you too."  But every time I've done it, the person would just look at me like I'm strange.  So that brings me to asking you all, what do you respond with when someone says "God bless you" and do you ever feel uncomfortable when they say it to you?

[Brkeatr]

I don't feel funny at all when someone says "God Bless you". Most of the time it was said because of sneezing or on the way out of church or something. I usually say thank you or God Bless you also. Nothing strange about that to me.......

[Alexander215]

I give them an appreciative nod, I'm not a Christian but it doesn't make me uncomfortable.

[SLYinKC]

I don't feel funny at all when someone says "God Bless you". Most of the time it was said because of sneezing or on the way out of church or something. I usually say thank you or God Bless you also. Nothing strange about that to me.......

I'm with Brkeatr.  But I think it all depends on the context of which they say it in.  Bottom line is that it is a statement that is meant as a blessing and I can't think of any negative connotations to hearing it.

[Timmay]

I usually say God Bless you as well.

[TheSlyBear]

Regardless of what you believe, you take it in the spirit it was intended and say "Thank you".

[wpruitt]

Regardless of what you believe, you take it in the spirit it was intended and say "Thank you".

Very good BootedBear

[hammerdrill376]

Let me offer something you might find interesting. One of the definitions for the word "bless" in Hebrew actually means to empower to prosper. Often we say these words without really understanding the implication of what is being said. I believe in the power of words both from a spiritual standpoint as well as what science has discovered via quantum physics. So when someone says "God bless you" to me I willingly recieve it and return the same to them.

If your faith is not Christian just accept it as that individual wishing your diety to bless you.

[schro]

Regardless of what you believe, you take it in the spirit it was intended and say "Thank you".

Agree 100%, BB.

[andrew]

Regardless of what you believe, you take it in the spirit it was intended and say "Thank you".

Exactly ...

[BlackJamesRackham]

yeah a simple thank you is all i ever say

[(|8-)]

"Thank you" is all that's expected. 

It's like many other ritual pairs that you shouldn't think about too hard or answer literally. 

• "Thank you."/"You're welcome."
• "How are you?"/"Fine, thanks. And you?"
• "Have you been waiting long?"/"Not at all."
• "How do you do?"/"Pleased to meet you."
• "Does this make me look fat?"/"You look great."

[The Scottish Ambassador]

I usually reply "may God bless us both"

[PE#1]

Regardless of what you believe, you take it in the spirit it was intended and say "Thank you".

 

[warhawk]

Regardless of what you believe, you take it in the spirit it was intended and say "Thank you".

bear hits nail on the head.

WARHAWK