Amethyst Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Growing up, whenever someone bought a car and we were all excited to see their new car and congratulate them, the expression of congratulations was, “ I wish you health to enjoy it!” As I have gotten older and moved away from my family of origin, I never hear anyone say this. And I’m hesitant to use it. While I think it is a way of wishing them well and keeping priorities straight, I can see how it could be a bit of a downer. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 With the backstory, it’s sweet. Without I’d wonder if it’s the backwards-compliment version of a curse. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I’ve never heard anyone say that but I don’t find it offensive. I personally think that someone would be overthinking what is obviously a saying if they were to dissect it for its hidden meaning. PS- I have chronic illness and I still wouldn’t take it personally. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I haven't heard it, so I would probably wonder what was meant by it, but tone would trump words, I think. We all have different family expressions. 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 A Jewish phrase that is similar is, "Use it in good health!" I never thought of it as a bad thing, but now that it brought up I could see how it could be used in a not kind manner... Hmmm. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I voted yes. I’ve never heard this phrase, but I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I voted no, I don't like it, but mostly because I think it sounds a bit jarring and out of place. A bit formal, even. We've lived in three states and have family in several other states, and I've never heard this. Not in real life and not on the internet. There's nothing wrong with it, per se, but I'd probably switch to something more common and casual. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I would think it was a backhanded remark, kind of like when someone see your big new house and says, “It’s huge; I hope you have a cleaning service!” 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 3 minutes ago, Quill said: I would think it was a backhanded remark, kind of like when someone see your big new house and says, “It’s huge; I hope you have a cleaning service!” 1 hour ago, Katy said: With the backstory, it’s sweet. Without I’d wonder if it’s the backwards-compliment version of a curse. Yes, these are sort of why I’ve hesitated to use it as an adult. 53 minutes ago, SKL said: I haven't heard it, so I would probably wonder what was meant by it, but tone would trump words, I think. We all have different family expressions. 🙂 Yes, I think the tone is key. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I've never heard it before, though I may have heard similar. I certainly wouldn't think badly of anyone saying it. I mean, the person is wishing them good health; I don't get the problem. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Never heard of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I've never heard of it, but I'd assume that it was said with the best of intentions. It wouldn't bother me at all, even though I don't really think that "health" is the be all and end all to enjoying something. It sounds like a cultural phrase. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 In my and my husband’s family culture, we wish people good health on their birthdays, the new year and if they are recuperating. I would just treat it as cultural differences if someone said that to us. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I've never heard it before. If someone said it to me, I wouldn't overthink it or be offended, but it's not a phrase I would say, either. I would say something like "I hope you enjoy it" of "I hope you have a lot of fun with it". Same sentiment, but less formal sounding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I voted no, because that would be my initial take on it. In my family culture (the one I grew up in), you don't say potential future negative things about people. It is thought to bring bad luck. There would b a phrase my mom or grandmother would say to me that I don't know how to translate (I know the feeling/thought behind it but I haven't figured out an English translation). I don't think I would be actually offended if someone said that to me. I'd probably make a face initially then realize I'm bringing some cultural baggage to the situation and brush it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 2 minutes ago, Clarita said: I voted no, because that would be my initial take on it. In my family culture (the one I grew up in), you don't say potential future negative things about people. It is thought to bring bad luck. There would b a phrase my mom or grandmother would say to me that I don't know how to translate (I know the feeling/thought behind it but I haven't figured out an English translation). *touch wood* (dai ge lai see in Cantonese) It depends on the tone of the person saying though whether it’s more sarcasm or tongue in cheek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Just now, Arcadia said: *touch wood* (dai ge lai see in Cantonese) It depends on the tone of the person saying though whether it’s more sarcasm or tongue in cheek. Yes. There is also "choi goi lei". I was probably too young when I immigrated, it never dawned on me it was sarcasm or tongue in cheek. So, I have no ground to stand on to be offended because well it's not even really cultural. (I'm not mad. It wouldn't be the first time I took sarcasm or over the top thing my mom and grandmother says to be truth and was absolutely wrong.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I’ve literally never heard that that expression. If someone said it I would say say thanks and move on but I would find it kind of weird and off putting depending on tone and context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I don't hate it and I don't love it. It would really come down to who was saying it and my relationship with them. I know people who are the light of the world, and if one of them said it then I would consider it a sincere and loving comment. If anyone else in my life said it, I might dwell on their exact intentions and whether it was a bit snarky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I like it but have never heard it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 My mother in law used a version of that. It was something like "enjoy it in good health." It always annoyed me a bit though I couldn't put my finger on why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I voted other. I certainly don’t dislike it but it seems very cultural and I doubt many people have heard of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikslo Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I voted other. Not sure I hate it, but my first thought was sometimes phrases fall out of use for a reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 If someone said it to me, I would assume it was well-intentioned, but I would never use that phrase myself. To me, "I wish you health to enjoy it!” sounds like "I sure hope you don't die or get too sick before you have a chance to enjoy your new purchase!" 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 I’m hearing it in Eeyore’s voice. 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 3 hours ago, KungFuPanda said: I’m hearing it in Eeyore’s voice. 🤣 Best said with a wee bit of an Irish brogue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 I voted other because I’ve never heard it and it just sounds weird to me. My dad’s parents always threw change under the seat of a new car for good luck and he continued that tradition with us any time we got a new car. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 On 2/26/2023 at 8:06 PM, YaelAldrich said: A Jewish phrase that is similar is, "Use it in good health!" I never thought of it as a bad thing, but now that it brought up I could see how it could be used in a not kind manner... Hmmm. This. I have heard “Use it in good health!” Always said in such a way that I interpreted it as meaning wishes for future good health (tone, expression). But I can see some people might say it in a way that comes across differently. I don’t use that phrase though, and I think I only hear it from an older generation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 I would thank them for what is (or was meant to be) a positive statement. My true hidden response would honestly be indifference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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