DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the appropriate response when an atheist sneezes, instead of “God bless you”? What about people you don’t know? A lady gave me a hard time by sneezing and I didn’t say “bless you.”

GENTLE READER: You could try to say “gesundheit”, but depending on your logic, someone might think you are German.

Miss Manners suggests that you try to be less literal about an admittedly absurd convention. And if you leave out the God part, consider that no one said this had to be His blessing – only that of a caring human.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; to his email, [email protected]; or by postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)