"No Problem"

[FlightlessDuck]

Everyone saying it's part of the server's job to begin with, so it shouldn't be a problem:

Why are you thanking someone for doing their job to begin with? And why would the person doing his/her job be obligated to say that you were welcome? How is that any different?

What if they were asked to do something that normally wasn't part of their job?

 

[Adipoo]

I'm 61 and I use no problem quite often. My daughter says "not at all." Any form of polite response to thank you beats a surly grunt in my book. Good lord, the things people waste time worrying about is astounding.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't see an issue with the response itself.

However, I'm curious why the customer is the one saying thank you. If they just made a purchase, I'd like to think the clerk would be the one to say thank you...... for spending money in that store.

And any back and forth at all is better than what I see at a lot of places, where the bag is shoved at you with no comment whatsoever.

 

[jen0610]

I use "no problem" more than I should but not in response to "Thank you". At my job I end up using it when asked to do something by others. "Can you be sure my child gets their homework?" "No problem."

It annoys ME that I say it and I have been trying to stop! I don't think I use it instead of your welcome but I will have to try to be more aware of it just as I am trying to stop saying it in other contexts.

But in your examples, you are using "No problem" in the correct context. Your answering a question, not acknowledging appreciation for a service you are doing for someone.

"Can you please make 100 copies of this for me?"

"No problem."

"Thank you for do that for me."

"Your welcome."

Or

"Can you be sure my child gets their homework?"

"No problem."

"Thanks, I appreciate you doing that."

"Your welcome"


That's the correct useage of both responses.

 

[Christine]

To me, "no problem" is accepted (I am in 50s so not young). I probably use it and others use it in the context of when I do something for someone that they *think* is a big deal (it's generally not) and they thank me profusely. I say, "oh, no problem, glad to do it." Sometimes "You're Welcome" seems like an awkward response.

 

[jen0610]

Everyone saying it's part of the server's job to begin with, so it shouldn't be a problem:

Why are you thanking someone for doing their job to begin with? And why would the person doing his/her job be obligated to say that you were welcome? How is that any different?

What if they were asked to do something that normally wasn't part of their job?

Nobody should have to do a "thankless" job. Yes, it's a waiter/ess's job to take my order, get our drinks, clear the table, BUT why shouldn't they be told that you appreciate that they are doing their job well, instead of performing it poorly.

And when we leave, if the staff tells me "thanks for dinning with them and have a nice day/evening", my reply is "your welcome and you have a good day/night too."

 

[scrapquitler]

The only acceptable response to my "Thank you" is an engraved card on heavy wight organic card stock. It should be embossed with gold leaf scroll work surrounding the words Thank you, and the white gloved butler should bow when he hands it to me.

Seriously? It doesn't bother me AT ALL to hear the clerk or whatever say "NO PROBLEM". Half the time, the employees in most stores don't even say that. And no hello either. To me, a no problem at least indicates that they are alive and heard me say thank you.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The only acceptable response to my "Thank you" is an engraved card on heavy wight organic card stock.

You forgot recycled.

 

[alievans719]

I say no problem constantly, and I'm in customer service. No one has ever complained about it, but I just feel like "you're welcome" is a little formal for me? I don't know. But either way, I'm never bothered by it.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

"Thanks for teaching me how to properly butter my bread".

"No problem".

 

[TAX GUY]

"Thank you"...


"no, no, no, thank YOU!"

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

The only time I would say no problem would be to my friends. You welcome to all others.

 

[3Gsandme]

I am generation x, and frequently say it. Never out of disrespect.

I'm an x'er, too, and I alternate "no problem", "my pleasure" and "you're welcome" as I deem fit. We use all of them at home, so I'm teaching my kids to use all three as they deem fit. I don't find any of them rude in any way, shape or form. I also use an Oxford comma and say "I cannot even".

 

[breakin2]

I swear, some of you look for things to complain about.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I'm an x'er, too, and I alternate "no problem", "my pleasure" and "you're welcome" as I deem fit. We use all of them at home, so I'm teaching my kids to use all three as they deem fit. I don't find any of them rude in any way, shape or form. I also use an Oxford comma and say "I cannot even".

But, can you even?

 

[3Gsandme]

But in your examples, you are using "No problem" in the correct context. Your answering a question, not acknowledging appreciation for a service you are doing for someone.

"Can you please make 100 copies of this for me?"

"No problem."

"Thank you for do that for me."

"Your welcome."

Or

"Can you be sure my child gets their homework?"

"No problem."

"Thanks, I appreciate you doing that."

"Your welcome"


That's the correct useage of both responses.

I'm going to H-E-Double Hockey sticks, but it seems interesting that you're nit picky on usage and then use the wrong form of your (should be you're) each time you point it out.

 

[3Gsandme]

But, can you even?

Of course not! I just told you I couldn't!

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Of course not! I just told you I couldn't!

 

[aprilchem]

I respectfully disagree that there's only one proper response. There are other ways to remain polite. I get thanked by people all day long. Sometimes my reply is "You're welcome" and sometimes it's "Happy to help". I rarely use the phrase "no problem", but sometimes it fits the context of the conversation.

Me too. I've never taught my children to say "you're welcome." When somebody says thank you to us, we respond "It was my pleasure." My family feels that saying that is an expression of our attitude of service.

And I don't think the phrase "you're welcome" makes much sense, but I certainly don't get offended if someone says that to me. Same with "no problem". I don't feel like I have a right to think that my family's rules & customs apply to anyone but my family.

 

[Hrhpd]

I made a promise to myself long ago as a child that I was never going to end up like my rigid grandmother and tsk tsk changes to how things were done and accepted. It only made her look pathetic, looking like she could not move forward and wanted to stay stuck in the past.

So, if a clerk answers "no problem" with a smile or even a straight face to my "thank you," I am going to go on my merry way and not even have it be a blip on my radar. I can only control what I do and what I say. If this is the new answer that is acceptable then so be it.

Now, if I said "thank you" and the clerk snarled and answered "Go To Hell, don't thank me" I may, under that circumstance, think the clerk was rather rude.