No one has seen more sneezes up close than Kleenex Tissues. I wrote them hoping for a reply that would blow me away…

Dear Those Who Nose All:

Since Kleenex is the experts on catching sneezes, I would feel blessed if you can answer some questions for me.

Sometimes sneezes burst out of the starting gate with an awful lot of force. Do you have any statistics that show how many miles per hour an actual sneeze can reach? And, if you didn’t cover your nose with a Kleenex, how far would the typical sneeze travel? As far as a full city block with a nice breeze behind it?

Do you employ professional sneezers, allergy sufferers, chronic snifflers, mucus makers, prolific phlegm producers, snot drippers and/or booger blowers to test the strength and absorption capabilities of Kleenex?

Also, any idea where the expression “that’s nothing to sneeze at” came from? Is there anything that is something to sneeze at? Maybe tissues are the only thing to sneeze at. And what’s the deal with pepper? How come that stuff makes people sneeze? For that matter, how come when you bang your nose real hard you go into a sneezing fit? Are there a bunch of sneezes always backed up just waiting to be released by a hard jolt?

Have a Gezundheidt day,
“Me”

A Consumer Representative from Kimberly-Clark, makers of Kleenex, responded with:

Thank you for writing to us about KLEENEX® facial tissue.

In response to your inquiry, although we are not medical experts, we have heard that some sneezes have been known to be expelled at over 100 miles per hour. However, we do not know how far a sneeze will travel if not covered.

With regard to product research, Kimberly-Clark tests its products with various research groups around the country. We are sure there is a wide variety of users (allergy sufferers, etc) that are involved in this testing.

Unfortunately, we are unsure where the term “nothing to sneeze at” came from. Perhaps you can research this topic further on the internet or at your local library.

Thank you again for your interest in our products and for taking the time to contact us.

Final Thoughts: It was cool of them to respond … and include two Save 50¢ coupons on Kleenex Facial Tissues and a Save $1.00 coupon on any Kimberly-Clark product. Kleenex was introduced back in 1924. If you’d like to stick your nose in their business, check out the Kleenex® Brand Story. Finally, here’s how a dictionary entry writer that provides citations and advice for the Oxford English Dictionary answered another inquiry about the expression “not to be sneezed at.”

If a subject like sneezing has you stumped, be sure to Write The Company. Bless you!