Company Information A formal way is not better than an informal, and vice versa. = It (me helping you washing your car) is no problem for me. ). It doesn't matter what response you get, you should just be gracious for them helping you. If you have any other question or need extra help, please feel free to contact us or use the search box/calendar for any clue. Does this time travel delivery service cause paradoxes, and if so how can I avoid them? She could have said something about the flowers -- anything. If you are young person and in the service occupation, I would suggest you simply test the efficacy of more formal responses. Saying you're welcome can be seen as too vulnerable to someone who has opened up to you. It's better to communicate what you really mean. When a young person provides great service (and many do), and very sweetly and sincerely says "no problem" to your "thank you", I think you are an old curmudgeon to be nit-picky. Because that's incorrect (at least, the French. She probably just didn't know what most people at this site seem to know, and that is: the same responses that are appropriate in informal settings are not appropriate in others. answered Apr 27 '18 at 13:00. On the contrary, he/she is bringing in his business. English Encyclopedia is licensed by Wikipedia (GNU). To me, "No problem" is humble. when i was new to online video games, i once said "you're welcome" and i was laughed at. "You're welcome" would be an insincere answer. "As far as what?" To say "no problem" to a customer implies that it is about you, the service person... and it's not. For example, in #83's case, if the person carried your bags to your car for you, then I think 'no problem' is a perfectly fine response -- as in it wasn't a problem for them to help you.
I don't like "no problem" because both words have negative connotations.

It totally broke the spell I was under. Now, write an article about "OK" and I'll give you a few paragraphs about how rude that one is -- no matter the tone. What is the Difference Between then and Than? Younger people often tend to offer alternative responses when thanked, especially during less formal situations. (for instance) is a much more positive and friendly thing to say. I like what everyone said and it makes a lot of sense, but can't it also be argued that when people say "no problem," they can sometimes just trying to be humble and imply that they really didn't do anything worthy of thanks, and that is was not a problem because it was something that they didn't mind doing because they are a good person and they like the person who asked them to do something? The first time I heard "No problem" in lieu of "You're welcome" was in Vancouver, BC, in 1991. Anything else I can help you with? A “Thank you” is an admission that someone has done something for you which they were not obliged to do. People are so spoiled.

I would like to derive from any communication a positive response like, "My pleasure", or "That will be fine", or "Thank you". My hometown is a resort town, and without tourist trade, our standard of living would have been squat. Why would it be a problem!? This seems very similar to 'no problem.'. The person offering thanks is grateful for the service performed by the one being thanked, and a gracious "you're welcome" acknowledges the gratitude. I appreciate that it's not formal (or at least formal to the OP) but it's meant with the same sincerity as any other kindness I'd express gratitude for.

Because of this I am not fond of the "No problem" response as it negates my sincere thank you, as if I shouldn't have bothered to thank in the first place.
The idea that someone in this position should deny themselves even the basic humanity of making any reference to their own experiences crushes me.

Seems a better response than "no problem".

They are two simple words and weren't ever more than that. 1. without effort or apparent effort "she danced gracefully and effortlessly" "swallows gliding effortlessly through the air". 1 —used to say that one is happy to do something "Thanks for your help." Can I resample two datasets and then perform a t-test? This is essentially the same issue with "No worries" (no worries being far more questionable than "no problem). It seems to me that some generations wish for every public interaction between strangers to be formalized. You don't have to mean it when you say it or write it, but you'll go a lot further in this world if you use those phrases appropriately. affects their day. Depending on how it is said I may or may not accept "no problem" as a civil response. How about that? "No Problem," "Think nothing of it", "You're welcome", "It's what I do"?

You are self-centered and frankly, part of the problem of the devolution of social respect and what used to be common manners. The problem with no problem is that it treats a "thank you" as an apology. You save their dog from drowning? How was collision detection done on the Asteroids arcade game? We can all use it lightly, but with discretion. Why is the airflow in airline cabins downwards? It's just inconsiderate to expect everyone to follow the same verbal code. Language is very much a democratic medium of communication. by his/her first name. First off, and of least importance, the phrase "you're welcome" just feels awkward on my tongue. "Sure thing;" "My pleasure;" "It's all good;" "Glad to help;" A smile and a nod; "No -- thank you!" Why would i go and wreck it by being rude when you say thank you? Enthusiasm tells all. I hadn't felt I was a problem to them, so I don't like being assured that I'm not. P.S. Some of the responses here are pretty insulting by themselves.

Find out more, "swallows gliding effortlessly through the air", (facility; ease; easiness; simplicity; simpleness), (easy), an offensive content(racist, pornographic, injurious, etc. Neither phrase is a precise response to thank you.

Double negative. But she said "yup". For the person that asks why they have the change the answer is, you doubt. i tend to say 'no problem' if someone says thank you to me. I am an educated lady, and will be addressed as such by all, excluding none (doctors, VIPs and royalty). Even using my military rank and last name is appropriate in formal situations. And as such, no allocations need be made for those who harbor this attitude. However, I own my self-security in the fact that all glory goes to God my creator. Then we are here for you! a customer service environment! "No problem" is suitable for basically any occasion, as long as it's said in a friendly tone. I agree it is likely a generational thin, which means in the next 50-100 years it could be commonplace and completely acceptable. When I thank someone at the grocery store, or the bank or department store, for their help, they respond with, "no problem," and I just want to scream, "Well, sonny .... it shouldn't be a problem, it's your job!". and American Idol are all just junk pastimes that pass like gas. What about "Not at all" as a response to "Thank you"? When someone says 'no problem' to me in that kind of situation, I say, "Well, my apologies if I was causing you a problem by shopping here." It would be difficult to say precisely when the response "No problem" first entered the public vernacular, but its use (or more precisely, overuse) has been a point of contention among etiquette and grammar experts for decades. My riposte to any individual that replies to a "no problem" with a "Well, I'm sorry if I caused you a problem (enter the self-serving, instantaneously gratifying narcissist a.k.a. The day I hear a cop or firefighter who has just saved the life of a person being attacked or in a burning building, say "No Problem," after being thanked by the victim, will be the day the equator freezes over or the world has become the movie, “Idiocracy”. Yes, I come from the old school, and yes, the English language was my major, but I still use proper English in all of my conversations, even if I'm speaking to someone who doesn't know proper English. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. Often times it is not. If they're doing you a favor and they say "No problem" then I think it's perfectly valid, similar to how you say "de nada" in response to "muchas gracias" in Spanish. What is the difference between “what do you think” and “how about”? In other words, I can do that task easily and with pleasure. but that seemed odd to me too. Second, I don't see retail interactions as formal. "My pleasure" is better but "no problem" is best. By focusing on the fact that the word "problem" is being used you are dismissing the fact that the word "no" comes before it. They need to come up with a response for that! "No problem" seems very unappreciative of the "thank you" being given. Please lightspeed. Just say thank you and be on your way.

Now if you thanked them for scanning your groceries at the register, then that would feel less appropriate. Not at all を上手く使いこなせていますか？お礼を言われた時に「どういたしまして」の意味で使う not at all など、3つの使い方と意味を紹介します。At all は、in any way （多少なりとも）という意味で、疑問文や否定文を強調するために使われます。肯定文には使われません。 Actually, i enjoyed probably 80-90 percent of the people I served. is not formal or stuffy. All I hear is problem with this phrase. No, I will not say "you're welcome" to customers because in the end, I did not do anything for them. English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. I cannot believe that someone wrote exactly what I was thinking. So please say "no problem," "no worries," or even "you're welcome," but please don't say "You're welcome, Joe," or I will probably freak out a little and wonder what you really meant or if I should ever ask for a favor again. Privacy policy -Bill. or "That's not a problem at all." Many thanks CC .

If you go beyond what is expected, no problem.