NO PROBLEM! WHY do we say that?

[Epoman]

I guess I could have posted this here: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1259.20 But I wanted everyone to see it, since I feel it deserves it's own post.

Ok here is the story, a friend of mine once told me something and it made me think about it long and hard and I came to the conclusion he was right. He told me, do you notice how when someone does something for you and you say thank you and that person says "No Problem" why do they say that? I thought about it for a second and then he told me "Why does it have to be a problem" why not say "You're Welcome" or "My Pleasure" He said when you tell some one "My Pleasure" after they tell you thank you, it seems more personable and like it really wasn't a "problem" So in my life I have started to tell people "My Pleasure" and I have noticed a difference. Of course there are times when saying "My Pleasure" is not appropriate but most of the times I say "My Pleasure" or a simple "You're Welcome" So I have now wiped "No Problem" from my vocabulary, as I used to say "No Problem" all the time.

Just thought that I would share that with you and see what you guys think.

Discuss?

[kitkatz]

I say No Problem all of the time.  Usually I mean just what I said.  It was not a problem to do that for you.   I never thought of it as a not nice way of saying you are welcome, just another way to do it.  Hmmmm. I will have to think on this one. No problem.

[Epoman]

I say No Problem all of the time.  Usually I mean just what I said.  It was not a problem to do that for you.   I never thought of it as a not nice way of saying you are welcome, just another way to do it.  Hmmmm. I will have to think on this one. No problem.

Right, I always used to say "No Problem" too, but now I say "My Pleasure" or just "You're Welcome" and it seems much nicer. Give it a try. 

[BigSky]

In general terms when "no problem" is used in return to a "thank you" by someone it means that no thanks was required for the task performed such as in response to holding a door open for someone.

[Epoman]

In general terms when "no problem" is used in return to a "thank you" by someone it means that no thanks was required for the task performed such as in response to holding a door open for someone. 

Yes I know, but I just feel it sounds so much nicer to say "My Pleasure". Wouldn't you agree it sounds nicer than "No Problem" or "Not a Problem". 

[goofynina]

I say No Problem all of the time.  Usually I mean just what I said.  It was not a problem to do that for you.   I never thought of it as a not nice way of saying you are welcome, just another way to do it.  Hmmmm. I will have to think on this one. No problem.

I am with Kit on this one,  the reason i say "No Problem" is especially if it was for something i had to do for someone who felt they were putting me out or something,  but i usually say,  "No Problemo   it was all my pleasure" or "i enjoyed doing it" or something like that, 

[Rerun]

I think it is just a slur that we have fallen into.  The new one that bugs me when I say thank you is... "No Worries".         I wasn't worried....I just said thank you!

When someone says to me "nice to meet you".....then I say "my pleasure". 

I agree that "my pleasure" is better than "No Problem" or "No Worries".

 

[BigSky]

Yes I know, but I just feel it sounds so much nicer to say "My Pleasure". Wouldn't you agree it sounds nicer than "No Problem" or "Not a Problem". 

I was just answering the subject question.  I never put much thought into word etiquette.


To some degree I suppose so.  However when you use the phrase "my pleasure", did what you do really give you pleasure? 

[jedimaster]

Agree with Epoman....actually I don't like when people answers No Problem....I never do....actually....I never answer back  ...not!!...I like to say My Pleasure....

[angieskidney]

I always say You're welcome to anyone who says Thank you to me .. just the way my mom taught me

[Bajanne]

I say 'you're welcome' normally, but I suppose I would say 'no problem' if the person said something like 'I hope it didn't disturb you/cause you a problem/inconvenience you'. 

[paris]

I cannot stand when someone says "No Problem".   " My pleasure, Glad to do it, You're welcome" any of these are much more appropriate.  But, I live in an area where most people say "yes, Ma'am" and "no, Sir" !

[Sluff]

I usually respond by saying happy to help, or happy to do it, or glad I could help.

The one that gets me is when people ask how are you doing? Like they really care...ya right.

[kitkatz]

It would surprise the hell out of a few people if I actually told them I feel lousy when asked how I am feeling!

[vandie]

It would surprise the hell out of a few people if I actually told them I feel lousy when asked how I am feeling!

Can you imagine the reaction if you said, "I feel like crap.  How are you?"
 

[kitkatz]

It would surprise the hell out of a few people if I actually told them I feel lousy when asked how I am feeling!

Can you imagine the reaction if you said, "I feel like crap.  How are you?"
 

Hilarious!

[Rerun]

I said "no problem" today....here was the situation.

I was going down the main isle with a grocery cart.  A guy pulled out in front of me.  He said "oops sorry"  and I responded by saying "no problem." 

That is okay right??   

[Sluff]

No you should have said get out of the way you friggen moron...

[jedimaster]

No problem...oh, I mean....oooops 

[anja]

Ohhhh, Sluff, do not want to 'run into' you in the grocery store...  Tee-hee! 

[nextnoel]

I agree with Epoman.  To me, "no problem" implies that there could have been a problem but there wasn't (with the possible very subtle implication that really, there was - why bring a negative word into play if there was nothing negative!), whereas "my pleasure", or "you're welcome" are free of any such baggage.  And yes, when I choose to say "my pleasure", it does mean I was pleased to do whatever it was - so I usually stick with "you're welcome"!

For me, I think some of this may have to do with having been raised Southern - Southern ladies aren't supposed to say anything overtly mean to anyone, but if you know how we use language, you can certainly tell when you're been insulted!  (Example:  can you hear the difference between "you're so WEL-come", with a smile and rising inflection, and "you're SO welcome", with no smile and lowering inflection?)

Sorry to be so analytical, but I think language is one of our greatest tools, if we know how to use it!

[MattyBoy100]

Actually, it's not so negative to say "no problem" cos a lot of people may be taking your condition/illness into account when asking you to do something so by replying "no problem" you could actually mean "no, it is not a problem for me to do this task.".

But in a general conversation with someone who does not know that you are ill then yes, I agree that using "no problem" is inappropriate as it implies that in normal circumstances you would have a problem with doing something but in this instance you do not.

I think you have to take the context of the conversation into account as well as the person you are talking to.

Hope this settles the debate.

[Zach]

Hope this settles the debate.

It sure does, no problem.     

[sandman]

It depends on the situation for me.  Generally, if someone says "Thank You" to me, I usually respond with "your welcome" or "anytime".  If someone says "thanks", I would then usually say "sure thing" or "no problem".  It's usually all in the matter of how you talk to me and how comfortable I am with you, which would determine how I would respond.  I have a good deal of respect for the use of proper grammer but I rarely ever witness it. 

[MattyBoy100]

How do you spell grammar? We say GRAMMAR with 2 a's and no e.

I rarely withness proper spelling either.