The correct way to sneeze and cough in public: Simple etiquette that protects everyone

A sneeze is over in seconds, but its impact can linger much longer. Whether you're squeezed into a metro coach, sitting in an office meeting, or waiting in line at a café, the way you sneeze or cough affects everyone around you.

It sounds obvious, yet plenty of people still sneeze into open air, cough into their hands, or make no attempt to cover their mouth at all. Besides being unpleasant for those nearby, these habits can help spread the viruses and bacteria responsible for common illnesses.

Good cough and sneeze etiquette isn't about being overly cautious. It's simply about being considerate in shared spaces.

Reach for a tissue, or use your elbow

The best option is to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you feel a sneeze or cough coming on. Throw the tissue away immediately and clean your hands afterwards, either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser.

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No tissue? Your elbow works surprisingly well. Coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm helps contain droplets and keeps your hands clean. That's important because our hands are constantly touching lift buttons, door handles, phones, keyboards, railings and countless other surfaces.

What you should avoid is coughing or sneezing directly into your palms. It may feel instinctive, but those germs can quickly end up on everything you touch next.

If you're feeling under the weather and can't stop coughing or sneezing, wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces is also a considerate step, especially when public transport and workplaces are packed.

The habits worth leaving behind

One common mistake is trying to hold in a sneeze. While it might seem like the polite thing to do, experts generally advise against suppressing sneezes completely. Let it out—just make sure it's directed into a tissue or your elbow.

Another familiar sight is the dramatic head turn before sneezing into the open air. While you're no longer facing the person next to you, you're still sending droplets into the surrounding space.

Good manners around sneezing and coughing aren't complicated. They come down to a few simple habits: cover up, dispose of tissues properly, clean your hands and be aware of the people around you.

In a world where we share offices, trains, restaurants and waiting rooms with strangers every day, those small actions can make a surprisingly big difference. After all, nobody remembers the person who sneezed into a tissue—but everyone remembers the one who didn't.