Do You Know When to Say "It's Just Allergies"

It seems as though a lot of people have a hard time knowing when to say “don’t worry, it’s just allergies.” For most of us it’s simple (Right: An explanation of your visible allergy symptoms. Wrong: An excuse for general grotesque behavior). But for those who need a refresher, here’s a helpful little quiz to clear up any confusion.

Should you say “Don’t worry, it’s just allergies” if…

You sneeze at work, and though you are certain to cover with your sleeve, you notice a coworker’s concern? YES

You sneeze three inches away from a coworker, covering her face in a fine spray of green mucous? NO

You’re forced to clear your throat during a conversation and the other speaker asks if you’re feeling okay? YES

After coughing into your hand, you stare with great intent at whatever viscous fluid you’ve dislodged against your palm. You then ask someone if you can borrow their pen? NO

You’re unable to shake a light cough and you’re nervous about distracting others? YES

You’re in the processes of licking all your fingers before fishing all the ice out of someone’s drink? NO

You’re migraine is mistaken as anger or disappointment? YES

You’re currently drenched in sweat and blacking out from a fever high enough to bake your brain. But instead of going home, you’re now being hoisted up by people with more empathy than common sense? NO

You have a sore throat and ask if anyone has a lozenge? YES

You have amassed enough snotty tissues to build a personal fortress—a task that you’ve been focusing on for five hours in the center of your apartment’s common area? NO

You politely ask a stranger if there are any cats or stairs in their house? YES

You find out in front of a large crowd that it is not pronounce as a Me-Me? NO

After eating a cookie that said it doesn’t have peanuts, your cheeks redden and you can feel your tongue slightly swell? YES

You have mysteriously begun squirting blood from any/all orifices and you’re impromptu solution is to see how far it can shoot? NO

You’re embarrassed about people seeing a slight rash on your arm after being stung by a bee? YES

You thought you were being sly, but actually everyone just saw you vomit in that mailbox? NO

– Ian "Salmon Season" Golding (@iggolding)