Because you always have a tissue on hand. And disinfecting gel, for when you meet someone on the way somewhere and have no access to the bathroom.
Seriously, the logic is rock solid. Who will you touch with your elbow as opposed to the palm of your hand?
The next time I sneeze I'm gonna try this elbow thing. Though I've become so accustomed to subsiding them that I'll probably forget.
I heard that subsiding is actually the worst you can do. An uncle of a friend of mine once held back a huge sneeze and broke his ribs. From the inside.
Huh. So I did a little bit of research and you're absolutely right. Subsiding/holding them in is potentially very dangerous.
Apparently it can cause hearing loss, forcing air into the eye or brain, rupture or clotting of blood vessels and like you say... breaking a rib.
This is because the sneeze travels at a ridiculously high velocity.
So yeah. Stay safe guys.