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julieberg
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 160,179
July 2004
Posts: 6,447
Layouts: 0
 |  Posted: 1/26/2013 4:10:40 PM
"You can't said "Bless You" to anyone after they sneeze", sighting religious reasoning. My son said it to a co-worker.
This is a banking environment.
I'm floored. The person who he said it to was not offended in any way, shape or form.
My dh, who is an executive and has worked with and supervised many people, said ds's boss was out of line and I can't repeat the other word he called him. 
Opinions?? | |
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IPeaFreely
It's a Higgs, baby!
PeaNut 120,657
December 2003
Posts: 12,238
Layouts: 32
Loc: CERN
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:13:39 PM
I am really uncomfortable when people say bless you to me. So I'm with the boss.
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DastardlyBoo
pea long and prosper
PeaNut 82,656
April 2003
Posts: 10,664
Layouts: 99
Loc: in the middle
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scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 13,006
Layouts: 0
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cindosha
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 1,202
August 1999
Posts: 2,797
Layouts: 32
Loc: Grand Blanc, MI
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:17:03 PM
OMG!!!! this has gotten ridiculous!!!
i'm over it!
cindy |
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lucyg819
pearl-clutching nitpicker
PeaNut 201,774
April 2005
Posts: 14,375
Layouts: 15
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 1/26/2013 4:18:05 PM
I am about the least religious person you could imagine and I say that all the time. It is also really ingrained into most people to say it, so I think it would be a difficult habit to stop.
It seems like a really dumb, arbitrary rule to me. |
LUCYG
northern california
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
--Bertrand Russell
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voltagain
OklaPhoma
PeaNut 18,334
July 2001
Posts: 35,142
Layouts: 15
Loc: State of cultural confusion. Yeehaw and Aloha have collided!
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:18:27 PM
I think it is dumb the the boss's rule so go with it.
As someone with seasonal allergies who sometimes sneezes a lot I wish people would just ignore sneezing. I get tired of being blessed for it or feeling the need to apologize for it. |
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,173
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
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julieberg
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 160,179
July 2004
Posts: 6,447
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 4:23:46 PM
Pfffffft, tell him to say Gesundheit instead
I did. He said he just isn't going to say anything.
It is also really ingrained into most people to say it, so I think it would be a difficult habit to stop.
It totally agree. I think it is a difficult thing to break. My son now states he is agnostic. So he isn't saying it as a religious statement. | |
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raindancer
Capt. Sparrow's Pirate Wench
PeaNut 217,886
August 2005
Posts: 15,465
Layouts: 44
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:47:08 PM
Weird and I would have said so to the boss and asked why. |
~Heidi~
"You can make excuses or you can make progress but you can't make both."
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cmpeter
PEAceful Pea
PeaNut 14,521
April 2001
Posts: 34,376
Layouts: 31
Loc: Washington State
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:52:36 PM
Dyed in the wool atheist and I say 'bless you'.
Ditto! |
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zombie*grrl
AncestralPea
PeaNut 281,551
October 2006
Posts: 4,290
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:54:19 PM
OFFS...this is out of control.
My atheist husband still says "bless you" when I sneeze. It's just polite. | |
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IleneTell
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 434,842
August 2009
Posts: 2,427
Layouts: 635
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 4:57:34 PM
I say it all the time, and I don't look at it as a very religious phrase, more as a wishing someone well or good health. And I'm not religious at all. But he's the boss, so whatever. Not a big deal, just stop saying it at work. |
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NanaKate
My Grandkids Are Cuter Than Yours! ;)
PeaNut 135,321
March 2004
Posts: 9,742
Layouts: 0
Loc: Baytown, TX
| Posted: 1/26/2013 4:57:50 PM
ridiculous! |
Kathie
"Write it on your heart that those you love are the greatest gifts of all." | |
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freecharlie
Is the pool open yet?
PeaNut 109,127
September 2003
Posts: 19,253
Layouts: 4
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:03:17 PM
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| Tribbey: I believe, as long as Justice Dreifort is intolerant toward gays, lesbians, blacks, unions, women, poor people, and the first, fourth, fifth, and ninth amendments, I will remain intolerant toward him! [to Ainsley] Nice meeting you | |
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IScrapCrap
PeaAddict
PeaNut 570,639
October 2012
Posts: 1,041
Layouts: 0
Loc: pea formerly known as GIPfunny
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:12:45 PM
I thought it was only slightly religious in nature if you said God bless you. | |
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AngelKriC
It's football time in TENNESSEE!
PeaNut 215,522
July 2005
Posts: 19,283
Layouts: 34
Loc: Big Orange Country!
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**GypsyGirl**
Well, Bless Her Heart.......
PeaNut 142,890
April 2004
Posts: 15,106
Layouts: 1
Loc: I am Switzerland!
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:16:13 PM
 I would have told the boss "Well bless your heart" .  |
Toni
Professional Expat Wife, Hell Holes are my Specialty!
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
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Nicole in TX
The Peas did what we do and went insane over it
PeaNut 16,696
June 2001
Posts: 18,168
Layouts: 65
Loc: Not so obvious
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:25:40 PM
Does he know the historical significance of this phrase? |
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PEArfect
AncestralPea
PeaNut 452,048
January 2010
Posts: 4,476
Layouts: 0
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:27:57 PM
Next people will be offended when you say 'please' and 'thank you.' Imo saying 'bless you' is just good manners, not religious. Now I could see if he said, 'God bless you.' |
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fishwitch
PeaNut
PeaNut 577,311
January 2013
Posts: 178
Layouts: 0
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:29:18 PM
It seems like a really dumb, arbitrary rule to me.
I agree with this |
| ~~Melani....once upon a time I was Sailorslady, now I'm just the fish | |
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nicolequinn
Sick of Snow
PeaNut 41,352
June 2002
Posts: 5,846
Layouts: 0
Loc: Alaska
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:29:31 PM
People are now uncomfortable with saying "Bless You" after you sneeze?
Ugh... whatever.
When does it stop?
How about I say, "Dude... keep you gross germs to yourself and quit sneezing, you cootie carrier!" |
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Nightowl scrapper
Intl Assoc of Epic Length Posters - USA Chapter
PeaNut 103,889
August 2003
Posts: 24,788
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:30:55 PM
I would have told the boss "Well bless your heart" .
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"Until you put a thought into words, clearly and precisely, it is not a thought at all. It is a kind of fog rolling around inside the skull."
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recap.pea
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 288,074
December 2006
Posts: 2,989
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:47:55 PM
Oh good gravy ! That is stupid and ridiculous. Perhaps if he said "God Bless You", I might understand a little but there is nothing wrong with saying "bless you". As someone said, it is more about manners not religion
Unless it is written in their policies not to, I would say it if I felt like it. It is just a nice thing to do when someone sneezes.
For crying out loud. 
ETA: History behind Bless You and Gesundheit |
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liasmommy2000
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 80,815
April 2003
Posts: 8,350
Layouts: 7
Loc: The mitten state
| Posted: 1/26/2013 5:58:14 PM
WTH...I consider myself agnostic and hate having religion shoved down my throat etc but that is over the top. |
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Mary Mary
NOT IN UTAH
PeaNut 140,474
April 2004
Posts: 34,769
Layouts: 13
Loc: Pemberley
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:04:44 PM
That makes perfect sense. Also, tell your son that he needs to stop saying "Goodbye" since it originated from "God be with you.". Super offensive! |
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*~*amanda*~*
...
PeaNut 393,905
October 2008
Posts: 6,647
Layouts: 0
Loc: Illinois
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 6:11:36 PM
I think people get offended over stupid things most of the time and 'political correctness' has gone haywire. |
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scorPEAo
AncestralPea
PeaNut 181,836
December 2004
Posts: 4,981
Layouts: 0
Loc: YouSeeDavis
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:14:19 PM
I am really uncomfortable when people say bless you to me. So I'm with the boss.
Seriously? That is perhaps one of the weirdest things I've ever heard!
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pennyring
Thrift Ninja
PeaNut 226,011
October 2005
Posts: 22,413
Layouts: 40
Loc: Rite Aid
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:16:02 PM
What is he supposed to say instead?
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julieberg
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 160,179
July 2004
Posts: 6,447
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:17:22 PM
I am really uncomfortable when people say bless you to me. So I'm with the boss.
Why does this make you uncomfortable? | |
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kelbel827
PeaAddict
PeaNut 87,669
May 2003
Posts: 1,044
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:21:15 PM
Athiest here....I'm not uncomfortable and I still say it.
Also, as someone who does have really bad allergies and sneezes quite a bit, it gets a bit annoying to get 6 bless you's in a row. One is good! | |
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I-95
It's all just nonsense anyway!
PeaNut 97,456
July 2003
Posts: 19,552
Layouts: 0
Loc: California, NY & Orlando
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:27:38 PM
[quote Also, tell your son that he needs to stop saying "Goodbye" since it originated from "God be with you.". Super offensive! [/quote]
LOL!! You stole my response!!!
Since nobody knows where the phrase originated, he should be in the clear. However, most people associate it with the Black Plague, the first symptoms of which were sneezing, coughing etc. Pope Gregory insisted that priests go out into the streets and pray for everyone, during which time they would say 'God Bless you', because it was pretty well assured the person was going to die.
So....instead of saying Bless you, your DS could just say 'Oooh, you're gonna die now', and see which one they prefer | |
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bizzymumma
I sense impending mayhem.
PeaNut 51,520
October 2002
Posts: 19,293
Layouts: 47
Loc: Beautiful BC
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:39:49 PM
What is he supposed to say instead?
I gotta go with Seinfeld for the win. The appropriate response is:
"You're sooooo good lookin!" |
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Laurie
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
Doug Firebaugh
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scoobers
Why, YES!, I am a princess.
PeaNut 417,049
March 2009
Posts: 12,860
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:41:29 PM
The bitchy side of me would ask where in the employee manual does it cover that?
This world is going to hell and this is just one example of why......stupidity at its finest. |
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sheins
PeaNut
PeaNut 463,537
April 2010
Posts: 138
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:47:44 PM
Maybe he could say " Stay back. I'm offended by your bodily function." or "Gezhuntite". That's being multilingually fair. I'm sure I offended someone by spelling that wrong, sorry! | |
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Rainy_Day_Woman
PeaFixture
PeaNut 369,799
March 2008
Posts: 3,401
Layouts: 0
Loc: Canada
 | Posted: 1/26/2013 6:49:11 PM
I gotta go with Seinfeld for the win. The appropriate response is:
"You're sooooo good lookin!"
<SNORT> My husband has convinced my 5 year old DD that this is the appropriate thing to say when someone sneezes. I've tried to explain, but she is adament that Daddy is right People sometimes look at her like she has two heads when she says it, but most people get the reference and crack up. | |
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CountryHam
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 335,105
August 2007
Posts: 2,875
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:54:37 PM
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IPeaFreely
It's a Higgs, baby!
PeaNut 120,657
December 2003
Posts: 12,238
Layouts: 32
Loc: CERN
| Posted: 1/26/2013 6:57:28 PM
It makes me uncomfortable because I feel forced to say Thank You. I usually dont and then I feel like a jerk.
But seriously, who is this stranger to bless me in the name of god? Do they think they've been chosen by god to bless me?
Its just an all around stupid thing to say and I dont like it. I never have.
And I have no idea what the "historical significance" is. | |
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imaskrapper
BucketHead
PeaNut 305,186
March 2007
Posts: 611
Layouts: 1
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:12:32 PM
oh for heaven's sake! oh that probably wouldn't be allowed either
seriously though, that is pretty ridiculous |
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julieberg
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 160,179
July 2004
Posts: 6,447
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:15:05 PM
It makes me uncomfortable because I feel forced to say Thank You. I usually dont and then I feel like a jerk.
It is very sad that it takes so much effort for you to say thank you to someone. You should feel like a jerk.
But seriously, who is this stranger to bless me in the name of god? Do they think they've been chosen by god to bless me?
Most people say "bless you", not "God Bless You". Why can't someone wish you good health? It should be accepted graciously. | |
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Nightowl scrapper
Intl Assoc of Epic Length Posters - USA Chapter
PeaNut 103,889
August 2003
Posts: 24,788
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:26:02 PM
But seriously, who is this stranger to bless me in the name of god? Do they think they've been chosen by god to bless me?
Um, no, it originally meant 'may God bless you' not 'I bless you in the name of God'. check I-95's post above for historical context.
It has strayed so far from religious reference (notice how many non-religious people say it) that it has become simply a social term. Just as goodbye is a nice short hand term for 'see ya' stemming from the old-fashioned "may God be with you as you travel", said in a day when you could be beaten and robbed as you rode to your own house, 'bless you' is now just a polite, shorthand way of saying 'you seem unwell, hope you feel better', but I guess it's offensive regardless of the intent? |
"Until you put a thought into words, clearly and precisely, it is not a thought at all. It is a kind of fog rolling around inside the skull."
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Mrs_Tyler
Sorting Laundry
PeaNut 197,836
March 2005
Posts: 24,079
Layouts: 246
Loc: Enjoying the humid continental climate zone.
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:32:45 PM
I don't say God bless you, but simply "Bless you".
Christians don't have the corner on being blessed. Being blessed isn't specific to any one religion. I'd continue to say it and not worry about if my kindness and polite regard after a sneeze isn't accepted well. Seriously, everything could be turned into a reason to get offended. | |
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busypea
boring + nerdy
PeaNut 52,817
October 2002
Posts: 25,201
Layouts: 145
Loc: Oregon
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:37:28 PM
Agnostic who also says bless you. Gesundheit just sounds overwrought to me.
But the boss gets to make the rules, so as dumb as this is... I would just go with it and not say a word. | |
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Laurel Jean
generic pea
PeaNut 76,877
March 2003
Posts: 9,185
Layouts: 179
Loc: Michigan
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:42:18 PM
"You're sooooo good lookin!"
I love that episode.
I used to work with a woman who would be offended if you said "Bless you" instead of "God bless you" when someone sneezed. I guess she wanted to make sure the Big Guy got the credit for the sneezer's recovery! | |
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IPeaFreely
It's a Higgs, baby!
PeaNut 120,657
December 2003
Posts: 12,238
Layouts: 32
Loc: CERN
| Posted: 1/26/2013 7:43:33 PM
I dont have any problem saying thank you and do so many times a day. However, it just feels condescendingly Christian to have some random person say god bless you. A holier than thou feeling, if you will. Its the same feeling I'm getting from several of these responses. Holier than thou. But thats something Ive come to expect from 2ps and religiously stay away from the god posts. Oh well. | |
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aslan
PeaFixture
PeaNut 138,465
March 2004
Posts: 3,639
Layouts: 28
Loc: South East
| Posted: 1/26/2013 8:03:25 PM
Does the boss also have an issue with calendars? Tuesday is named for Tiu, the Germanic god of war. Wednesday is named for Woden, the Norse god. Thursday is named for Thor. Friday is for Freya. Saturday for Saturn. That's the days of the week. The months? Most of those are named for Roman gods or for other aspects of their ancient religious rites. So as not to offend, many have replaced "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays", still a reference to a religious "holy day".
The guy's a banker and even the word "money" has a religious reference if you trace it back to its origin. It's from the Latin moneta which was the cult title for the goddess Juno, in or near whose temple Roman money was coined.
The English language is full of words that have their origin in one religion or another. It's inescapable.
How on earth did he get himself into a profession that deals all day in bills and coins stamped "In God we trust"? It must give the poor man the vapors. |
"Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions."
- G.K. Chesterton
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jodster70
To the right, To the right
PeaNut 51,257
October 2002
Posts: 5,567
Layouts: 28
Loc: Usually NSBR, an un"pea"dictable place :)
| Posted: 1/26/2013 8:32:45 PM
Every single day as I go through life, I see reference to the "F" word either spelled out or by acronym at least 15-20 times. To be honest, I hate it.
However, I never say anything, because as we go through life, we don't have a guarantee that we're not going to be offended, and also, I refuse to go through life constantly offended. So I find this kind of stuff ridiculous. The person who said it to you means you well...why can't people just take that away from it?!? |
**Jody**
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Patrick Henry | |
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IPeaFreely
It's a Higgs, baby!
PeaNut 120,657
December 2003
Posts: 12,238
Layouts: 32
Loc: CERN
| Posted: 1/26/2013 8:41:25 PM
Believe me, when I said its uncomfortable I didnt mean offended. Uncomfortable. Its mild. Its not offended.
Offended is what most of you are getting over my post that said I was uncomfortable.
And why cant people just accept the fact that Im uncomfortable about being blessed by strangers? Sheesh.
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Buddysmom
BucketHead
PeaNut 54,471
November 2002
Posts: 881
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 1/26/2013 8:43:05 PM
I am not religious but I do say bless you. I never thought of it as a religious thing. I've just been saying it forever. | |
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**GypsyGirl**
Well, Bless Her Heart.......
PeaNut 142,890
April 2004
Posts: 15,106
Layouts: 1
Loc: I am Switzerland!
| Posted: 1/26/2013 8:43:56 PM
Gesundheit just sounds overwrought to me.
Then please don't sneeze in some of the German towns in Texas!
Gesundheit is what I say when people sneeze. My mother's family comes from Germany and is what we have always said. Not sure why that would sound overwrought. |
Toni
Professional Expat Wife, Hell Holes are my Specialty!
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
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