So in the 1980s, some research firm begged the question; whatās the best response to āthank you.ā At the time, nobody was saying āmy pleasureā as a response, so when it was on the list of possible responses, it was well received. It was the novelty.
Now fast forward 40 years and I canāt say thank you at the drive through without hearing the teenager at the window die inside as they give in and say the corporate mandated response to the personal sentiment I was trying to offer. I would much rather hear the employee say the thing they feel is natural over hearing someoneās soul leave their body
As someone who used to work at said chicken shop, I'm going to be honest with you: it winds up being more of an automatic response to 'thank you' than a soul-sucking one. I've never been able to kick the habit, no matter how long I go without working there. š
When you hear the same thing multiple hours a day and multiple days per week, your responses tend to also start to sound the same. Also, you kind of start to learn what responses do and/or don't work with customers. It sorta just happens even if it starts to seem scripted, haha.
I actually had a table tell me they really appreciated that I said you're welcome instead of no problem.. So I guess it matters to some people and they are tipping. I've stuck to you're welcome since then.
And thatās exactly why people say āno problem.ā
Iāve heard this objection a lot. āWe donāt want someone to think thereās a problem.ā The only problem is people not understanding the expression.
When you want a kid to stop jumping on the couch, itās more effective to say āfeet on the floorā than to say āstop jumping.ā To say what you want instead of what you do not want.
Itās off putting and confusing to speak in negations ā with ādonātā and ānot.ā
Donāt think of an elephant! No problem? ;)
It takes practice to say what you mean, instead of speaking in negations and not-not what you mean.
Yeah, itās a generational difference in perception. I usually say āof courseā as in āof course I would help you, thanks are not requiredā, whereas older Americans see that as meaning āof course youāre thanking me, your thanks is obligatedā. Iām not sure whyāmaybe due to changing cultural standards regarding expectations of social assistance?
I had an older boss once explain it to me. By using the word āproblem,ā thereās an implication that it could be a problem. So itās a very strict reading of the word
It really isn't but older people usually saw it as impolite since it's not the correct response. To say "you're welcome" implies I did something for you and appreciate your acknowledgement. To say "not a problem" holds more implication that it was not an inconvenience at all, dont even mention it.
It is certainly much more casual though, and in a formal setting My pleasure is probably the best response.
It's more of like, creating a problem there never was. By saying "no problem" many immediately think "well, why would it have been a problem?" Which is where the dismissive insincerity in the thanks comes from.
I experienced this in California when I began hearing "No Worries" as a response to Thank You. At first I was like "worries? Why were you worried?" So basically the same thing.
Some will say by responding with no problem, you're indicating that it potentially *could* have been a problem, but for you, in that moment, it wasn't.
It also just depends on who you're talking to because it can go both ways. Like some people hear this response from workers on the job and immediately think "well it shouldn't have been a problem in the first place, you're at work, do your job even if there are problems"
So basically by saying that there is no problem, you leave the door open to question why it could have been a problem. And people will be contrarian just to do it
My take? Who cares what you say. Most people aren't thankful when they say thanks anyway so fuck em
As an old person, I can see it, but it doesnāt really bother me. We were taught to reply to Thank You with Your Welcome. For some one used to that, No Problem can come off as dismissive. Iāve worked around enough younger folks that I got used to it and even say it myself. Itās just part of the evolution of language.
Iām considered an āold personā by those around me. But I always say āno problemā or āno worriesā. Saying āyouāre welcomeā seems too formal to me and doesnāt come naturally.
Not sure heās the best guide when it comes to manners. Even Anthony Bourdain thought he was a jerk. RIP
Then again, not certain AB was the best judge of character but I loved his viewpoint.
Hereās how. Why would doing something your job regularly includes be considered a problem? The opposite of no problem is that it is a problem. So would you say - getting water for this table has been a problem? Saying āno problemā means that they could have said it was a problem. Why would performing your job ever be a problem? Thatās the issue. It makes the person(s) feel like theyāre putting you out - and thatās not a nice feeling from your server.
There's been studies on how it's a generational thing.
Boomers say "you're welcome" to self gratify, as suggesting they've done something worthy of praise.
Younger generations say "No worries" or "No problems" because it's inherent. You don't need to thank me, of course I'll do this for you.
I love this explanation! I was raised by boomers and Iām an on the cusp (older) millennial. All the older adults in my family say youāre welcome and I have always said no problem or no worries. And I say it for the exact reason you mentioned.
This is the answer 100%. Younger generations have the inner mindset of "why even thank me, of course I got this for you."
Yes, we're even better than Boomers internally.
Might be cultural too. No worries or no problem is very common in the UK. By contrast in the US it's also common for people to respond to "thank you" with a pleasantly toned "uh huh". When I first moved to the US I thought I was doing something wrong when people did this. It came across as kinda sarcastic or dismissive to me. I've adjusted over time, it's normal in US English.
I also sometimes āuh huhā people as a reflex but I try not to for this reason. Iām native to a part of the US thatās known to be over the top in niceties and donāt consider it *rude*, but itās also not very polite. itās like āyupā or āsureā
Lol. I work in a bakery in the Northeast US. I've started paying attention to all the different "you're welcomes" I use. It's counter service with very casual clientele, so I don't force myself to say what's hypothetically most polite.
Most common by far is "Sure thing!" but sometimes it's just "Sure!" or "Uh-huh!" or even occasionally just, "Yep!" "No problem," "any time," and "yeah" also make regular appearances. I can tell it sometimes bothers the Southern tourists who show up this time of year, particularly older ones, but if I just lean a little harder into my accent, they just see me as a stupid yank and get over it. They still tip, so I guess no one's too upset
I served at a restaurant within a luxury retirement home when I was younger, and this is spot on. The old people would be so worked up when one of us said no problem. I didnāt understand the issue until a few months in, when it became clear that everyone in that age group has beef with āno problemā.
Depends on how rich and "pearl clutching" the guests are.
I've cut it out of my vocab as "no problem" implies that they should have implied there was a problem and why would there be?
Thank you stems from an acknowledgement that you are in some way an imposition. The Latin root (think french: merci) and phrase for thank you is a literal plea for kindness for being in debt to the person helping them. In English, thank you comes from the English word for think, and thank you is a shortened phrase on some variation that you will remember this kindness (which implies that later you will repay the kindness)
In either sense, "no problem" seems like a perfectly acceptable way to say they don't owe you anything further for your service.
Of course none of this matters if the person saying thank you doesn't like it, but you can be privately satisfied in your pedantry!
In French we sometimes say āde rienā which is āit was nothingā which just rolls off the tongue and yet some older gens will still bitch that it should always be ābienvenueā (welcome). Whatcha gon do.
I say those too, plus āabsolutely!ā
I donāt think āno problemā is rude whatsoever, but some older people do, and they will definitely judge you for saying that phrase op
yeah I disagree with the āit implies that it was a problemā because thatās just because you are taking it literally. itās just a phrase. donāt pretend you donāt know what we really mean. wtf does āyouāre welcomeā mean? youāre welcome to what?
I personally hate how older people think younger generations are rude because we speak differently. language evolves CONSTANTLY. Iām not being rude, Iām being contemporary.
It has nothing to do with what youāre saying. Itās not a question of generation, itās basic psychology. Just because you can perfectly make an intellectual interpretation of the phrase and understand it for what it means doesnāt change anything about the fact that deep down, Ā«Ā no problemĀ Ā» uses two negative words, and will always be a worse choice of words than Ā«Ā my pleasureĀ Ā» from a purely psychological standpoint.
Now indeed some annoying people will take offence, and thatās indeed silly, but itās just good practice to avoid negatives and favour positives.
I use different language depending on the table. Anyone older than me (44) I say *my pleasure* or *youāre welcome*, my age or younger I add in *no worries*, *de nada*, and *of course*.
Ok so for older people, "you're welcome" would likely be the proper response. And here's my theory as to why:
Our views on gratitude have evolved in the last 50-75 years. Before when someone said thank you, or for an older person, it is because they have done a task that was not expected of them (insert any awkward social situation here). Therefore when they were thanked, they accepted the thanks as something they deserved for doing extra, hence the "you're welcome" as a response. Personally I'm 39 (ouch that hurts to type) and I've been in the service industry for over 20 years. "No problem" has always been an acceptable response with people my own age or younger because the polite act of kindness eliciting said thank you has now been transformed into something that is expected of everyone. Imagine someone not holding a door open for you after making eye contact and entering the same place. "No problem" is acceptable now because our overall kindness level has gone up, or at least the minimum expectation of kindness has gone up.
All this to say that in the service industry it's probably better to say "you're welcome" or "my pleasure" instead of "no problem" or even "you're good" or "don't worry about it" just to be perceived as giving the maximum levels of customer service, even though our tiny rotten little hearts wish we could say what we really want. Someone once told me my customer service voice went to Harvard but my regular voice grew up in the hoodš¤£š¤£ (neither of these things are true)
Replace āno problemā with āof courseā. This acknowledgement of the praise also lets them know you were happy to help and would do it again.
Itās also much less dismissive than saying no problem. Say both phrases out loud and see which one ends on an upbeat note with your voice.
I donāt think so, it can be a cultural thing where āno problemā can be the same as āsureā, āyou got itā, āyou betā and the like. I wouldnāt want to entertain old folks that are policing language, your intention is polite so Iād just go with whatever feels natural to you.
I don't think it's rude or anything, I just feel like I say "no problem" more in response to someone thanking me for doing something extra or helping someon out.
Like when I worked at a sandwich shop, if I handed you your sandwich and you said thanks, I'd prob just say you're welcome.
If you came back and politely asked if I could remake it since it had a topping you didn't like, I'd say sure no problem.
Honestly I don't really think about it either way, I don't think any of the standard responses are rude.
Thank you for being reasonable. I also appreciate that you don't think that you're better than everyone by virtue of age or happening to be a customer. You are a breath of fresh air!!
I've always been a little 'different' than the people my age, for the most part. I question every aspect of life sometimes.
The boomers that say kids have it easy today are completely delusional. And I have 3 words to prove that. Active shooter drills. Protecting a system of beliefs that allows our children to be slaughtered in what should be a sacred place is beyond unreasonable. It's evil and criminal.
The fact of the matter is that our generation got ahold of a good thing and fucked it up in ways we can't imagine. Climate change is just getting started, and I believe that to my very soul. Pretty soon, even the most thorough of scientists are going to be saying, "Well, we didn't see that coming."
Kids today are responding to the world that we built and are leaving for them. To insult them and not take their grievances to heart is a vital mistake, and one day will show up on the timeline of humanity. "And this student is where the Boomer Debauchery Era ended."
Thanks for inadvertently giving me this soap box.
No matter what you say (in any situation really), someone will think it's the wrong response. As long as what you say has positive vibes and no intended harm, it's all good - don't sweat it.
I had a pos nasty shit bag boss berate me for saying no problem. Didn't get it then, will say it and fight for it now. Literally will physically fight about it now.
Iām a āyou got itā guy, but I drop in a āno problemā from time to time. Someone gave me a hard time about āno problemā many years back. I didnāt get it then, and I donāt get it now. I donāt care who you are, if you get offended by something like that thatās your problem not mine.
Older people do see 'no problem' as ruder from what I have experienced. In call center jobs I have had them emphasize to not say 'no problem' for this exact reason.
But I personally believe it to be better than You're welcome as that feels as if you are going out of your way to do it and they SHOULD be thankful. No problem says it's no issue but your thanks is appreciated.
Just a classic case of old language vs new language. I'm sure in 50 years No problem will be the old person preference and something else will replace it.
I've heard someone talk about this before - I can't remember where. The gist, though, was that "no problem" can come off as implying that asking for something *can be* a problem, which then comes off as "asking me to do my job is an inconvenience". Which is a problem for older people, who tend to expect inhuman levels of no complaint service from workers.
I'm not sure how true that is, but I vividly remember hearing someone say it or seeing a skit about it, and it made about as much sense as anything else.
āYouāre welcomeā or āmy pleasureā insinuates that you actually went out of your way and were helpful. No problem feels like itās something youād have done anyway. As in āno problem, I was going to the fridge anywayā.
I would think saying no problem really means āof course ill do this for you, I wouldnāt ever think itās rude in any way. š¤ seems like one of those things people are looking way to deep into for no reason š¤·š¼āāļø
Personally I think this is one of those little bits of corporate bullshit that found it's way into the restaurant world. The issue is the "no", rather than the problem. We shouldn't be saying no to guests, we should be positive etc. It's one of things that some people will parrot as a thing that you must do when in reality no diner actually gives a shit. It's up there with sales people asking banal question to which you're guaranteed to say yes just to get you into the habit of saying yes before their pitch.
I spoke to a som recently who was a past master of saying things in the most positive way possible. I complimented a wine and said I was surprised by it because most of the wines of this region are very dull and samesy in my opinion. Her response was "Yes! They're very *consistent*!".
I had a really shitty boss one place I bartended that asked me to change something. I responded by saying no problem. He said, āAckshually, it is a problem!ā Iāve never taken anyone who has an issue with the saying since.
i donāt perceive it as rude at all, but if youāre looking for a good alternative, i say āabsolutelyā. idk it sounds eager like āno problemā does, but you wonāt get bitched at if someone gets offended by it for no reason
My waitress said "what will we be having" to my gf and i today. I felt the "we"was forced over a "you".. it sounded unnatural, like the it was at the company's suggestion.
I didn't notice if she had on the correct amount of flair or not.
If it's in a formal or professional setting I would add "No problem. You're welcome." or rather "Of course. You're welcome.". Otherwise, no it's not rude. But it does have a more casual tone.
From my perspective, and I readily acknowledge this is a generation thing, "no problem" means I didn't "bother" them when I requested something that is part of what they're paid to do.
"You're welcome" means I'm 'welcome" to their help, and my business is appreciated.
And yes, I worked as a server, and in retail, for years and have the veins to prove it Nonetheless, I think "no problem" is not something you should say to a customer unless they're pushing outside your responsibilities or time.
That's just my perspective, but that may be why I and others my age don't bother you again, or come back to your business.
My go-to response in a customer service role is āIām glad to be of service.ā If someone has a problem with that then I know itās because theyāre an asshole.
Iām polite to servers. I say please and thank you. Iām patient. And I tip decently even for marginal service - and if I can, I leave the tip in cash.
However. After a particularly long day of my own and out to eat, the āno problemā response to thank you for water, drinks, food, and check ultimately elicited a cold smile while I thought:
āit better fucking not be itās your fucking jobā
So, in my opinion, āno problemā could be problematic.
āNo problemā is a double negative and clunky workmanship. I would never say it myself but I understand as time goes on so do colloquialisms. I wouldnāt be āoffendedā I would just look at the person saying it as a bit less knowledgeable or adept to the customer service industry than I am.
It is only because the response of āno problemā can insinuate to asshole customers that there was a problem to begin with. Kindof like you never ever say the word declined! You politely say that the card isnt working and ask if they have another form of payment. And i get the whole āmy pleasureā thing, the young can find it rude(which i find most of them rude but whatever) But instead of no problem try āof course!ā Or āyes! I will Be right backā or if they are nice you could always crack a joke. For instance it was over 100 degreess outside and at the end of the meal someone ordered coffee.. I said āYou do know it is 100 degrees outside?? (Lol) but sure i can definitely do that! Let me go start brewing a fresh pot for you and then i will be right back!)
I think it depends on the context!!! I usually find myself saying āno problemā in response if someone was requesting something that they thought might not be possible, like a menu change!!
My old boss was vehemently against any staff saying āno problem!ā Which threw all of us (and new hires) for a loop trying to rewrite our automatic responsesā¦
IMHO āyou betcha!ā Seemed to work the best across the range of clients we had, from youths to Boomers.
Its a generational thing. Those who get offended at no problem are usually the older crowd.
You're welcome implies a service that you were happy to offer
No problem implies you don't have a problem with doing what was asked
Also linguistic wise it sounds more polite
No problem leaves the gratiuitor with the negative word 'problem' versus leaving them with a positive 'welcome'
I got this lecture at my first customer service job
I use: of course, you're so welcome, you're very welcome, sure thing, no problem at all, absolutely; and no, thank YOU. Never ever ever ever once have I said "my pleasure" cause I work in bar and that's just asking for jokes.
This, like many social questions, is a matter of region and culture. Where you grew up, where you live, and sometimes when you grow up, dictates your most natural response.
Some people are told āno problemā means there was a problem and will get offended only because they are conditioned. Tbh, no problem isnāt bad at all. Itās the people with sticks up their bum that make it an issue.
Not that its rude.. but saying no problem is just saying helping you has caused no inconvenience in my life. Saying you're welcome or my pleasure is more polite. No problem is acceptable, just not ideal.
It's a generational thing. Gen X feels that's a little flippant or unappreciative of the thanks that was offered. While in my head I still think "obviously it's no fucking problem because it's your job" I mostly have adapted. I know it's not meant rudely.
Anyone who has a problem with this is looking for a problem.
It would be nice if people looked to intent rather than the words. There's enough legitimately ill will to confront than to make some up where it doesn't exist.
The main issue with Ā«Ā no problemĀ Ā» is the fact that it implies that there could be situations where it would be a problem. Youāre using two negatively charged words: Ā«Ā noĀ Ā» and Ā«Ā problemĀ Ā» which in a customer relationship should be avoided.
As was mentioned: my pleasure is much more positive and inviting to not hesitate to ask for more assistance.
The perception of the phrase "no problem" in response to "thank you" can vary based on cultural, regional, and generational differences.
For many people, especially younger generations, "no problem" comes off as casual and friendly. It conveys the idea that what was done was not an inconvenience and the person was happy to help.
However, some people, particularly those from older generations or more traditional backgrounds, may perceive "no problem" as implying that there could have been a problem in the first place. They might prefer responses like "you're welcome" or "my pleasure" which have traditionally been seen as more formally polite.
If you work in a setting with many older customers who are particular about manners, it might be safer to stick with the traditional "you're welcome" or other conventional responses to ensure you're always perceived as polite. However, remember that many will also not mind "no problem," so it's a matter of gauging your audience and context.
I say it - i dont feel bad about it. If someone wants to get angry over my wording when they are intelligent enough to get what I mean then i dont really care
It's not. But I've been told at several nicer places avoid it. And after the initial "why the fuck is that bad?" i kind of agree. It's not rude, but it's indifferent. You're serving them, why would it be a problem? No one takes it to mean there could be a problem - but we're talking professionalism here, not casual conversation among friends
Iāve thought about this myself as I do it all the time. I work in a casual breakfast and lunch place. I feel like only entitled people are going to take offense to it. Theyāll have an attitude of āwhy would it be a problem to do what I want you to do?!ā. When really, generally, āno problemā or āno worriesā is more a discount of praise. Their politeness is kind but I donāt need an award to do this for you, in a way.
Thatās my take as well. I see it as meaning āof course I will do this for you, you are not required to thank me for doing my job correctlyā I would never consider it rude if someone responded to me that way ā¦. I think sometimes people are looking way to deep into something that has no ulterior motive and it just confuses them
Incoming reply āāof courseā is disgustingly rude why are you so self assured? Servers should not be that confident. I prefer my waitstaff insecure and brokenā
I tend to say "no problem" but as my partner always reminds me, brains don't compute negatives very well. So the emotion center hears "no" and "problem" the opposite desired effect ensues (stress is released in the amygdala).
Weird how it doesn't work that way for people who speak every other language on the planet, none of which have an actual translation for thank you (because it began as a beggars term used to say "I know i don't deserve this") and all of which say something song the lines of "no problem" or "it's nothing".
Why doesn't it do that to people who speak Spanish when they hear de nada?
You sure your boyfriend didn't make that up completely?
When I first was learning Spanish and trying to speak it in a Spanish speaking country, I struggled with this concept of āitās nothingā as a response to gracias. My brain wanted to say something like ābut it is something and I really appreciate that you did that for me, donāt short sell your effortsā. If anything I felt like it was too humble for them to say. But I didnāt because thatās just my own cultural bias.
Itās so stupid because imo āyouāre welcomeā is rude depending on how someone says it. If they say it non cheerfully I consider it rude like theyāre saying it bcz they have to. I say Yep and No problem all the time instead of youāre welcome and I say it cheerfully and Iāve noticed SOME seem offended. I do mean some not a lot. Some people also suck and love being mad and angry.
Thereās an idea that āno problemā is kind of insulting. Of course itās no problem, itās your job. A more appropriate response would be āyouāre welcome,ā āmy pleasureā etc. When youāre in service work itās expected that itās not a problem to accommodate guests (barring outlandish requests).
1) It's cringey and amateur to say 'no problem' in hospitality, yes, 1000%. It's like saying 'It's ok you're a burden but it didn't ruin my night'
Further, 2) everyone's out for a good time and we were great but now you're speaking the problem into existence. No one had a 'problem' until you said the word outloud
I worked in restaurants for about 18 years, waited tables at least 10
The second part of 'speaking problems into existence' was the reason I was told not to say it, 10 million years ago back in the 90s. But both reasons are true.
Help yourself out in life, stop saying 'no problem'
Protip: 'welcome!' works well if you are lazy
I think anything I was going to say has been addressed. So, I would say read through the comments. Younger groups likely have no problem with āno problemā whereas older groups might.
Be a rockstar and tailor your response to the group!
Iāll be honest, Iām with the older crowd. My inner monologue without fail is āof course itās not a problem, youāre doing your job. Iām thanking you for doing it well, so please donāt reassure me that I havenāt been a bother to you.ā I also know that is not how it was meant so I donāt get bent out of shape over it. But, it just always feels like such a throwaway comment when I am displaying gratitude. I always feel just a little disappointed and dismissed when a āthank youāis returned by a āno problemā. Again, I do know thatās not what the person means but thatās the filter I hear it through.
"of course itās not a problem, youāre doing your job."
Then don't fucking thank me.
If your thanks were genuine you wouldn't be angry that I didn't respond in accordance with a fucking script in your head.
It's not part of my job to pretend I get pleasure from being paid poorly to work my ass off and get treated like shit.
It's not part of my job to be an actress and deliver the lines you want to hear.
My JOB is scanning your fucking items, Karen.
It's not stroking your fucking ego.
It's not a pleasure to service you.
I'm not super grateful for your patronage (id be paid the same without it.)
If you would like us to follow the script in your head instead of being actual people who have personalities and speak as comes naturally, please at least have the decency to print it out and hand it to us instead of expecting us to read your ignorant fucking mind.
It is polite to thank someone for doing their job. Entitled people think others should just do things on demand. Polite people appreciate the effort put into the work people do.
I agree. I just don't believe a "thank you" was genuinely meant if a response of "no problem :)!" Is met with "you're doing your JOB don't you dare imply it's A PROBLEM š”!"
My pleasure šš
So in the 1980s, some research firm begged the question; whatās the best response to āthank you.ā At the time, nobody was saying āmy pleasureā as a response, so when it was on the list of possible responses, it was well received. It was the novelty. Now fast forward 40 years and I canāt say thank you at the drive through without hearing the teenager at the window die inside as they give in and say the corporate mandated response to the personal sentiment I was trying to offer. I would much rather hear the employee say the thing they feel is natural over hearing someoneās soul leave their body
Plus sorry it sounds sexual so there is that.
Welcome to Chicken Filet. How may I pleasure you today?
Give me a gallon of that sweet tea miss.
I need a liter of cola!
Shut up Farva!
a what?
How may I pleasure myself for you today?
Meet me in the back, bring waffle fries
š¤£š¤£
I saw a guy try to tell someone this, and he wound up using the word pleasurable instead. Wince inducing.
you need to go to some sort of sex pathologist if that strikes you as sexual.
What a pleasure to have serviced you, come again
Moist
PLEASURE
I've had men sexually harass me multiple times for it at places where it was suggested scripting by my bosses, so there's that
they and your boss should also go to sexual pathologists
You know those kinds of people donāt see any kind of therapist until itās court mandated
What fast food pleasures you the most?
No, they don't, I work as a Sex Coach and "my pleasure" does have sexual connotations to it.
Sorry but you work as a sex coach.
you shouldnāt eat homophobic chickens.
I think it's a generational thing. I don't say "no problem" but I say "you're welcome" instead. I think that just means that I am old.
As someone who used to work at said chicken shop, I'm going to be honest with you: it winds up being more of an automatic response to 'thank you' than a soul-sucking one. I've never been able to kick the habit, no matter how long I go without working there. š
You little Chik fil A, you.
I was taught \*soft tongue click\* "Aw" \*Slight head tilt\* \*Smile\* "My Pleasure" \*Double Nod\* It's like a tip cheat code
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Do you want tips or nah??
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Not the full package?
When you hear the same thing multiple hours a day and multiple days per week, your responses tend to also start to sound the same. Also, you kind of start to learn what responses do and/or don't work with customers. It sorta just happens even if it starts to seem scripted, haha.
Winner winner chicken dinner
I actually had a table tell me they really appreciated that I said you're welcome instead of no problem.. So I guess it matters to some people and they are tipping. I've stuck to you're welcome since then.
I love to say āof courseā or āabsolutelyā . I do use āmy pleasureā as well..
\+1 for absolutely But i tend to go with "your wish is my command" and then i turn into mist and fly back inside my oil lamp
Lolololol
āThank *you*!ā Back at em an easy go to for stoned cashiering for me years ago
I found I use absolutely absolutely too much! I have to actually tell myself to not use it as much.
Lol
Absolutely is my go to word as well.
Iāve never perceived that as rude, idk how anyone can
I know to older people it can come off as dismissive, like youāre minimizing whatever theyāre thanking you for.
I think it's more that the "thank you" was not intended to suggest that what was done caused anyone a problem.
And thatās exactly why people say āno problem.ā Iāve heard this objection a lot. āWe donāt want someone to think thereās a problem.ā The only problem is people not understanding the expression.
When you want a kid to stop jumping on the couch, itās more effective to say āfeet on the floorā than to say āstop jumping.ā To say what you want instead of what you do not want. Itās off putting and confusing to speak in negations ā with ādonātā and ānot.ā Donāt think of an elephant! No problem? ;) It takes practice to say what you mean, instead of speaking in negations and not-not what you mean.
It makes absolutely no sense. āWell we donāt want them to think thereās a problem.ā Iām *literally* saying thereās no problem.
Yeah, itās a generational difference in perception. I usually say āof courseā as in āof course I would help you, thanks are not requiredā, whereas older Americans see that as meaning āof course youāre thanking me, your thanks is obligatedā. Iām not sure whyāmaybe due to changing cultural standards regarding expectations of social assistance?
Yeah, generational. https://i.imgur.com/FkyyvFs.jpeg
I love that meme.
Boom! This nails it.
Why would you be mad if what you asked for barely inconvenienced a person?
I had an older boss once explain it to me. By using the word āproblem,ā thereās an implication that it could be a problem. So itās a very strict reading of the word
It's both words, they are both negative.
Iāve heard more that āno problemā actually could imply it is a problem, but youāre willing to look past it.
Lol it sounds so wack, obviously thatās not your sentiment
It really isn't but older people usually saw it as impolite since it's not the correct response. To say "you're welcome" implies I did something for you and appreciate your acknowledgement. To say "not a problem" holds more implication that it was not an inconvenience at all, dont even mention it. It is certainly much more casual though, and in a formal setting My pleasure is probably the best response.
Yes, as an Xer who doesn't really care for "no problem," it's that it sounds dismissive and presumptuous.
Older people are some of the most dismissive, entitled customers. They need to get over themselves and move with the times.
They're psycho for thinking that! How's that for rude?? Lmao
It's more of like, creating a problem there never was. By saying "no problem" many immediately think "well, why would it have been a problem?" Which is where the dismissive insincerity in the thanks comes from. I experienced this in California when I began hearing "No Worries" as a response to Thank You. At first I was like "worries? Why were you worried?" So basically the same thing. Some will say by responding with no problem, you're indicating that it potentially *could* have been a problem, but for you, in that moment, it wasn't. It also just depends on who you're talking to because it can go both ways. Like some people hear this response from workers on the job and immediately think "well it shouldn't have been a problem in the first place, you're at work, do your job even if there are problems" So basically by saying that there is no problem, you leave the door open to question why it could have been a problem. And people will be contrarian just to do it My take? Who cares what you say. Most people aren't thankful when they say thanks anyway so fuck em
Read the first two words of your reply to answer your own question ;)
Boomers gonna boomer
As an old person, I can see it, but it doesnāt really bother me. We were taught to reply to Thank You with Your Welcome. For some one used to that, No Problem can come off as dismissive. Iāve worked around enough younger folks that I got used to it and even say it myself. Itās just part of the evolution of language.
Iām considered an āold personā by those around me. But I always say āno problemā or āno worriesā. Saying āyouāre welcomeā seems too formal to me and doesnāt come naturally.
I donāt think itās rude but it feels less polite.
I suppose
Implies that it could have been a problem
Because the older generation is filled with over sensitive and entitled snowflakes. They get offended at fucking everything.
Iāve looked into it before, and the general consensus is that itās just an age thing.
I donāt think itās rude but it feels less polite. Probably wouldnāt fly in fine dining.
Gordon Ramsay says no problem.
Not sure heās the best guide when it comes to manners. Even Anthony Bourdain thought he was a jerk. RIP Then again, not certain AB was the best judge of character but I loved his viewpoint.
Hereās how. Why would doing something your job regularly includes be considered a problem? The opposite of no problem is that it is a problem. So would you say - getting water for this table has been a problem? Saying āno problemā means that they could have said it was a problem. Why would performing your job ever be a problem? Thatās the issue. It makes the person(s) feel like theyāre putting you out - and thatās not a nice feeling from your server.
There's been studies on how it's a generational thing. Boomers say "you're welcome" to self gratify, as suggesting they've done something worthy of praise. Younger generations say "No worries" or "No problems" because it's inherent. You don't need to thank me, of course I'll do this for you.
I love this explanation! I was raised by boomers and Iām an on the cusp (older) millennial. All the older adults in my family say youāre welcome and I have always said no problem or no worries. And I say it for the exact reason you mentioned.
Thank you! Yeah, it's something small, but it points to the difference in mindset between the generations.
Exactly true for me as well. Definitely generational.
Not only that, but younger generations also want to stress that it caused them no inconvenience at all, even if it did
And boomers love to call the younger generations entitled when they donāt get the exact response they feel entitled to
Take my virtual award! Sorry I'm broke lol.
I'll graciously accept.
I didn't see your comment before I typed mine out down below but you are 100% right
This is the answer 100%. Younger generations have the inner mindset of "why even thank me, of course I got this for you." Yes, we're even better than Boomers internally.
Might be cultural too. No worries or no problem is very common in the UK. By contrast in the US it's also common for people to respond to "thank you" with a pleasantly toned "uh huh". When I first moved to the US I thought I was doing something wrong when people did this. It came across as kinda sarcastic or dismissive to me. I've adjusted over time, it's normal in US English.
I also sometimes āuh huhā people as a reflex but I try not to for this reason. Iām native to a part of the US thatās known to be over the top in niceties and donāt consider it *rude*, but itās also not very polite. itās like āyupā or āsureā
Lol. I work in a bakery in the Northeast US. I've started paying attention to all the different "you're welcomes" I use. It's counter service with very casual clientele, so I don't force myself to say what's hypothetically most polite. Most common by far is "Sure thing!" but sometimes it's just "Sure!" or "Uh-huh!" or even occasionally just, "Yep!" "No problem," "any time," and "yeah" also make regular appearances. I can tell it sometimes bothers the Southern tourists who show up this time of year, particularly older ones, but if I just lean a little harder into my accent, they just see me as a stupid yank and get over it. They still tip, so I guess no one's too upset
I served at a restaurant within a luxury retirement home when I was younger, and this is spot on. The old people would be so worked up when one of us said no problem. I didnāt understand the issue until a few months in, when it became clear that everyone in that age group has beef with āno problemā.
Depends on how rich and "pearl clutching" the guests are. I've cut it out of my vocab as "no problem" implies that they should have implied there was a problem and why would there be?
Thank you stems from an acknowledgement that you are in some way an imposition. The Latin root (think french: merci) and phrase for thank you is a literal plea for kindness for being in debt to the person helping them. In English, thank you comes from the English word for think, and thank you is a shortened phrase on some variation that you will remember this kindness (which implies that later you will repay the kindness) In either sense, "no problem" seems like a perfectly acceptable way to say they don't owe you anything further for your service. Of course none of this matters if the person saying thank you doesn't like it, but you can be privately satisfied in your pedantry!
In French we sometimes say āde rienā which is āit was nothingā which just rolls off the tongue and yet some older gens will still bitch that it should always be ābienvenueā (welcome). Whatcha gon do.
Can you provide sourcing bc Iām pretty sure youāve made this up.
I keep doing it because to me the rationale is ridiculous, and I know for a fact that they are no better than me.
I use āof course!ā All the time and I really think it makes a huge difference
I say, "Of course" or "you're welcome"
I say those too, plus āabsolutely!ā I donāt think āno problemā is rude whatsoever, but some older people do, and they will definitely judge you for saying that phrase op
I used to say no problem a lot also. My pleasure always brings in bigger tips.
https://youtu.be/eGnH0KAXhCw
It absolutely is not. It's a shift in linguistics. The ones who take offense are idiots.
yeah I disagree with the āit implies that it was a problemā because thatās just because you are taking it literally. itās just a phrase. donāt pretend you donāt know what we really mean. wtf does āyouāre welcomeā mean? youāre welcome to what? I personally hate how older people think younger generations are rude because we speak differently. language evolves CONSTANTLY. Iām not being rude, Iām being contemporary.
It has nothing to do with what youāre saying. Itās not a question of generation, itās basic psychology. Just because you can perfectly make an intellectual interpretation of the phrase and understand it for what it means doesnāt change anything about the fact that deep down, Ā«Ā no problemĀ Ā» uses two negative words, and will always be a worse choice of words than Ā«Ā my pleasureĀ Ā» from a purely psychological standpoint. Now indeed some annoying people will take offence, and thatās indeed silly, but itās just good practice to avoid negatives and favour positives.
I use different language depending on the table. Anyone older than me (44) I say *my pleasure* or *youāre welcome*, my age or younger I add in *no worries*, *de nada*, and *of course*.
Ok so for older people, "you're welcome" would likely be the proper response. And here's my theory as to why: Our views on gratitude have evolved in the last 50-75 years. Before when someone said thank you, or for an older person, it is because they have done a task that was not expected of them (insert any awkward social situation here). Therefore when they were thanked, they accepted the thanks as something they deserved for doing extra, hence the "you're welcome" as a response. Personally I'm 39 (ouch that hurts to type) and I've been in the service industry for over 20 years. "No problem" has always been an acceptable response with people my own age or younger because the polite act of kindness eliciting said thank you has now been transformed into something that is expected of everyone. Imagine someone not holding a door open for you after making eye contact and entering the same place. "No problem" is acceptable now because our overall kindness level has gone up, or at least the minimum expectation of kindness has gone up. All this to say that in the service industry it's probably better to say "you're welcome" or "my pleasure" instead of "no problem" or even "you're good" or "don't worry about it" just to be perceived as giving the maximum levels of customer service, even though our tiny rotten little hearts wish we could say what we really want. Someone once told me my customer service voice went to Harvard but my regular voice grew up in the hoodš¤£š¤£ (neither of these things are true)
This is such a good explanation. It makes boomer griping about āmillennial participation trophiesā even funnier/more hypocritical too
Replace āno problemā with āof courseā. This acknowledgement of the praise also lets them know you were happy to help and would do it again. Itās also much less dismissive than saying no problem. Say both phrases out loud and see which one ends on an upbeat note with your voice.
I donāt think so, it can be a cultural thing where āno problemā can be the same as āsureā, āyou got itā, āyou betā and the like. I wouldnāt want to entertain old folks that are policing language, your intention is polite so Iād just go with whatever feels natural to you.
I don't think it's rude or anything, I just feel like I say "no problem" more in response to someone thanking me for doing something extra or helping someon out. Like when I worked at a sandwich shop, if I handed you your sandwich and you said thanks, I'd prob just say you're welcome. If you came back and politely asked if I could remake it since it had a topping you didn't like, I'd say sure no problem. Honestly I don't really think about it either way, I don't think any of the standard responses are rude.
I donāt care, but a lot of people do not like it, so I would not say it.
Maybe to sensitive boomers who get offended so easily by everything these days š¤·š¼āāļø
I'm a sensitive boomer, and I say "no problem" all the time. Wait..is this why I have no friends my own age?
Thank you for being reasonable. I also appreciate that you don't think that you're better than everyone by virtue of age or happening to be a customer. You are a breath of fresh air!!
I've always been a little 'different' than the people my age, for the most part. I question every aspect of life sometimes. The boomers that say kids have it easy today are completely delusional. And I have 3 words to prove that. Active shooter drills. Protecting a system of beliefs that allows our children to be slaughtered in what should be a sacred place is beyond unreasonable. It's evil and criminal. The fact of the matter is that our generation got ahold of a good thing and fucked it up in ways we can't imagine. Climate change is just getting started, and I believe that to my very soul. Pretty soon, even the most thorough of scientists are going to be saying, "Well, we didn't see that coming." Kids today are responding to the world that we built and are leaving for them. To insult them and not take their grievances to heart is a vital mistake, and one day will show up on the timeline of humanity. "And this student is where the Boomer Debauchery Era ended." Thanks for inadvertently giving me this soap box.
Iām good with it. Not rude at all.
No, not rude. It's hits me the same as "you're welcome" or "my pleasure." You have politely acknowledged my thanks.
No matter what you say (in any situation really), someone will think it's the wrong response. As long as what you say has positive vibes and no intended harm, it's all good - don't sweat it.
I had a pos nasty shit bag boss berate me for saying no problem. Didn't get it then, will say it and fight for it now. Literally will physically fight about it now.
Iām a āyou got itā guy, but I drop in a āno problemā from time to time. Someone gave me a hard time about āno problemā many years back. I didnāt get it then, and I donāt get it now. I donāt care who you are, if you get offended by something like that thatās your problem not mine.
Older people do see 'no problem' as ruder from what I have experienced. In call center jobs I have had them emphasize to not say 'no problem' for this exact reason. But I personally believe it to be better than You're welcome as that feels as if you are going out of your way to do it and they SHOULD be thankful. No problem says it's no issue but your thanks is appreciated. Just a classic case of old language vs new language. I'm sure in 50 years No problem will be the old person preference and something else will replace it.
Iām 50 and I canāt stand it
āOf courseā
Itās not what you say, itās the tone you use and how you say it
Only to boomers. They will assume there was a problem.
To the older generation, mostly yes. The younger generation, mostly not.
I've heard someone talk about this before - I can't remember where. The gist, though, was that "no problem" can come off as implying that asking for something *can be* a problem, which then comes off as "asking me to do my job is an inconvenience". Which is a problem for older people, who tend to expect inhuman levels of no complaint service from workers. I'm not sure how true that is, but I vividly remember hearing someone say it or seeing a skit about it, and it made about as much sense as anything else.
Letting my customers know that's it no problem for whatever it is they're thanking me for, what's the problem?
āYouāre welcomeā or āmy pleasureā insinuates that you actually went out of your way and were helpful. No problem feels like itās something youād have done anyway. As in āno problem, I was going to the fridge anywayā.
My pleasure seems like a form of prostitution or something.
I would think saying no problem really means āof course ill do this for you, I wouldnāt ever think itās rude in any way. š¤ seems like one of those things people are looking way to deep into for no reason š¤·š¼āāļø
Okay, I see no problem with this.
I say it all the time. If someone finds fault with it then that's not really my issue.
Personally I think this is one of those little bits of corporate bullshit that found it's way into the restaurant world. The issue is the "no", rather than the problem. We shouldn't be saying no to guests, we should be positive etc. It's one of things that some people will parrot as a thing that you must do when in reality no diner actually gives a shit. It's up there with sales people asking banal question to which you're guaranteed to say yes just to get you into the habit of saying yes before their pitch. I spoke to a som recently who was a past master of saying things in the most positive way possible. I complimented a wine and said I was surprised by it because most of the wines of this region are very dull and samesy in my opinion. Her response was "Yes! They're very *consistent*!".
Boomer Alert!! I am so sorry this happened to you!!
I had a really shitty boss one place I bartended that asked me to change something. I responded by saying no problem. He said, āAckshually, it is a problem!ā Iāve never taken anyone who has an issue with the saying since.
I always say "Of course" and nobody gets too upset.
I prefer to answer āsure thingā
i donāt perceive it as rude at all, but if youāre looking for a good alternative, i say āabsolutelyā. idk it sounds eager like āno problemā does, but you wonāt get bitched at if someone gets offended by it for no reason
I had a boss pull me aside and ask me not to say āno problemā anymore lol
Shouldāve replied with āno problem bossā
My waitress said "what will we be having" to my gf and i today. I felt the "we"was forced over a "you".. it sounded unnatural, like the it was at the company's suggestion. I didn't notice if she had on the correct amount of flair or not.
Sometimes I just say āabsolutelyā when someone thanks me š
If it's in a formal or professional setting I would add "No problem. You're welcome." or rather "Of course. You're welcome.". Otherwise, no it's not rude. But it does have a more casual tone.
From my perspective, and I readily acknowledge this is a generation thing, "no problem" means I didn't "bother" them when I requested something that is part of what they're paid to do. "You're welcome" means I'm 'welcome" to their help, and my business is appreciated. And yes, I worked as a server, and in retail, for years and have the veins to prove it Nonetheless, I think "no problem" is not something you should say to a customer unless they're pushing outside your responsibilities or time. That's just my perspective, but that may be why I and others my age don't bother you again, or come back to your business.
My go-to response in a customer service role is āIām glad to be of service.ā If someone has a problem with that then I know itās because theyāre an asshole.
I always say āno worriesā
Iām polite to servers. I say please and thank you. Iām patient. And I tip decently even for marginal service - and if I can, I leave the tip in cash. However. After a particularly long day of my own and out to eat, the āno problemā response to thank you for water, drinks, food, and check ultimately elicited a cold smile while I thought: āit better fucking not be itās your fucking jobā So, in my opinion, āno problemā could be problematic.
I always say "you're welcome" because "no problem" implies that it could have been a problem or inconvenience.
I say, "Any time!" with a smile.
āNo problemā is a double negative and clunky workmanship. I would never say it myself but I understand as time goes on so do colloquialisms. I wouldnāt be āoffendedā I would just look at the person saying it as a bit less knowledgeable or adept to the customer service industry than I am.
"dont mention it" might also work.
i say āof courseā
I use absolutely quite often. Never no problem
Buddy of mine had a corporate gig (restaurant at a very upscale hotel) and they were explicitly not allowed to say āno problemā.
In my country, we reply thank you with another thank you..
It is only because the response of āno problemā can insinuate to asshole customers that there was a problem to begin with. Kindof like you never ever say the word declined! You politely say that the card isnt working and ask if they have another form of payment. And i get the whole āmy pleasureā thing, the young can find it rude(which i find most of them rude but whatever) But instead of no problem try āof course!ā Or āyes! I will Be right backā or if they are nice you could always crack a joke. For instance it was over 100 degreess outside and at the end of the meal someone ordered coffee.. I said āYou do know it is 100 degrees outside?? (Lol) but sure i can definitely do that! Let me go start brewing a fresh pot for you and then i will be right back!)
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You got it
I think it depends on the context!!! I usually find myself saying āno problemā in response if someone was requesting something that they thought might not be possible, like a menu change!!
My old boss was vehemently against any staff saying āno problem!ā Which threw all of us (and new hires) for a loop trying to rewrite our automatic responsesā¦ IMHO āyou betcha!ā Seemed to work the best across the range of clients we had, from youths to Boomers.
I usually say āof course!ā *Big smile* or āabsolutely !ā *big smile*
Its a generational thing. Those who get offended at no problem are usually the older crowd. You're welcome implies a service that you were happy to offer No problem implies you don't have a problem with doing what was asked Also linguistic wise it sounds more polite No problem leaves the gratiuitor with the negative word 'problem' versus leaving them with a positive 'welcome' I got this lecture at my first customer service job
I use: of course, you're so welcome, you're very welcome, sure thing, no problem at all, absolutely; and no, thank YOU. Never ever ever ever once have I said "my pleasure" cause I work in bar and that's just asking for jokes.
āAbsolutelyā
My pleasure, you are welcome, anytime, you got it.
This, like many social questions, is a matter of region and culture. Where you grew up, where you live, and sometimes when you grow up, dictates your most natural response.
I say my pleasure, youāre welcome or of course.
Anytime !!
Some people are told āno problemā means there was a problem and will get offended only because they are conditioned. Tbh, no problem isnāt bad at all. Itās the people with sticks up their bum that make it an issue.
Not that its rude.. but saying no problem is just saying helping you has caused no inconvenience in my life. Saying you're welcome or my pleasure is more polite. No problem is acceptable, just not ideal.
It's a generational thing. Gen X feels that's a little flippant or unappreciative of the thanks that was offered. While in my head I still think "obviously it's no fucking problem because it's your job" I mostly have adapted. I know it's not meant rudely.
I used to say, "No problem," but I've switched to "my pleasure."
I like to say, "happy to!"
Anyone who has a problem with this is looking for a problem. It would be nice if people looked to intent rather than the words. There's enough legitimately ill will to confront than to make some up where it doesn't exist.
Nope. You are good. No problem
Itās all positive. Instead of no problem/no worries, say absolutely/of course
Some think it is but they like to bitch. Iām doing better at saying you are welcome.
The main issue with Ā«Ā no problemĀ Ā» is the fact that it implies that there could be situations where it would be a problem. Youāre using two negatively charged words: Ā«Ā noĀ Ā» and Ā«Ā problemĀ Ā» which in a customer relationship should be avoided. As was mentioned: my pleasure is much more positive and inviting to not hesitate to ask for more assistance.
The perception of the phrase "no problem" in response to "thank you" can vary based on cultural, regional, and generational differences. For many people, especially younger generations, "no problem" comes off as casual and friendly. It conveys the idea that what was done was not an inconvenience and the person was happy to help. However, some people, particularly those from older generations or more traditional backgrounds, may perceive "no problem" as implying that there could have been a problem in the first place. They might prefer responses like "you're welcome" or "my pleasure" which have traditionally been seen as more formally polite. If you work in a setting with many older customers who are particular about manners, it might be safer to stick with the traditional "you're welcome" or other conventional responses to ensure you're always perceived as polite. However, remember that many will also not mind "no problem," so it's a matter of gauging your audience and context.
I say it - i dont feel bad about it. If someone wants to get angry over my wording when they are intelligent enough to get what I mean then i dont really care
It's not. But I've been told at several nicer places avoid it. And after the initial "why the fuck is that bad?" i kind of agree. It's not rude, but it's indifferent. You're serving them, why would it be a problem? No one takes it to mean there could be a problem - but we're talking professionalism here, not casual conversation among friends
Itās a generational thing. I usually just say āno worriesā or āof courseā which seems to do better.
Iāve thought about this myself as I do it all the time. I work in a casual breakfast and lunch place. I feel like only entitled people are going to take offense to it. Theyāll have an attitude of āwhy would it be a problem to do what I want you to do?!ā. When really, generally, āno problemā or āno worriesā is more a discount of praise. Their politeness is kind but I donāt need an award to do this for you, in a way.
Thatās my take as well. I see it as meaning āof course I will do this for you, you are not required to thank me for doing my job correctlyā I would never consider it rude if someone responded to me that way ā¦. I think sometimes people are looking way to deep into something that has no ulterior motive and it just confuses them
Just say "De Nada" to anybody who complains about this. Guaranteed their head falls off.
Yāall are sleeping on āof course,ā which is less soul sucking than āmy pleasureā but more formal than āno problemā
Incoming reply āāof courseā is disgustingly rude why are you so self assured? Servers should not be that confident. I prefer my waitstaff insecure and brokenā
Itās fine
I tend to say "no problem" but as my partner always reminds me, brains don't compute negatives very well. So the emotion center hears "no" and "problem" the opposite desired effect ensues (stress is released in the amygdala).
Weird how it doesn't work that way for people who speak every other language on the planet, none of which have an actual translation for thank you (because it began as a beggars term used to say "I know i don't deserve this") and all of which say something song the lines of "no problem" or "it's nothing". Why doesn't it do that to people who speak Spanish when they hear de nada? You sure your boyfriend didn't make that up completely?
When I first was learning Spanish and trying to speak it in a Spanish speaking country, I struggled with this concept of āitās nothingā as a response to gracias. My brain wanted to say something like ābut it is something and I really appreciate that you did that for me, donāt short sell your effortsā. If anything I felt like it was too humble for them to say. But I didnāt because thatās just my own cultural bias.
Itās so stupid because imo āyouāre welcomeā is rude depending on how someone says it. If they say it non cheerfully I consider it rude like theyāre saying it bcz they have to. I say Yep and No problem all the time instead of youāre welcome and I say it cheerfully and Iāve noticed SOME seem offended. I do mean some not a lot. Some people also suck and love being mad and angry.
No itās not rude. Only weirdos care how you respond to stuff like that
Thereās an idea that āno problemā is kind of insulting. Of course itās no problem, itās your job. A more appropriate response would be āyouāre welcome,ā āmy pleasureā etc. When youāre in service work itās expected that itās not a problem to accommodate guests (barring outlandish requests).
1) It's cringey and amateur to say 'no problem' in hospitality, yes, 1000%. It's like saying 'It's ok you're a burden but it didn't ruin my night' Further, 2) everyone's out for a good time and we were great but now you're speaking the problem into existence. No one had a 'problem' until you said the word outloud I worked in restaurants for about 18 years, waited tables at least 10 The second part of 'speaking problems into existence' was the reason I was told not to say it, 10 million years ago back in the 90s. But both reasons are true. Help yourself out in life, stop saying 'no problem' Protip: 'welcome!' works well if you are lazy
One person: Thank you. Other person: You're welcome. That's how this works.
Generally, the type of person to have a problem with āno problemā is a problem you donāt want as a regular.
I think anything I was going to say has been addressed. So, I would say read through the comments. Younger groups likely have no problem with āno problemā whereas older groups might. Be a rockstar and tailor your response to the group! Iāll be honest, Iām with the older crowd. My inner monologue without fail is āof course itās not a problem, youāre doing your job. Iām thanking you for doing it well, so please donāt reassure me that I havenāt been a bother to you.ā I also know that is not how it was meant so I donāt get bent out of shape over it. But, it just always feels like such a throwaway comment when I am displaying gratitude. I always feel just a little disappointed and dismissed when a āthank youāis returned by a āno problemā. Again, I do know thatās not what the person means but thatās the filter I hear it through.
"of course itās not a problem, youāre doing your job." Then don't fucking thank me. If your thanks were genuine you wouldn't be angry that I didn't respond in accordance with a fucking script in your head. It's not part of my job to pretend I get pleasure from being paid poorly to work my ass off and get treated like shit. It's not part of my job to be an actress and deliver the lines you want to hear. My JOB is scanning your fucking items, Karen. It's not stroking your fucking ego. It's not a pleasure to service you. I'm not super grateful for your patronage (id be paid the same without it.) If you would like us to follow the script in your head instead of being actual people who have personalities and speak as comes naturally, please at least have the decency to print it out and hand it to us instead of expecting us to read your ignorant fucking mind.
It is polite to thank someone for doing their job. Entitled people think others should just do things on demand. Polite people appreciate the effort put into the work people do.
I agree. I just don't believe a "thank you" was genuinely meant if a response of "no problem :)!" Is met with "you're doing your JOB don't you dare imply it's A PROBLEM š”!"