I hear “No problem” far more often.

  • pruwyben@discuss.tchncs.de
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    8 months ago

    Years ago, I had to do customer service training for a job, and one thing they said is to always say “you’re welcome” instead of “no problem”, because some people think “no problem” is rude. But I think it’s a generational thing, and it’s kind of the opposite with younger folks.

    • lanolinoil@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Nothing is worse than other options though like Chic fil a’s mandated “my pleasure”

      • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        8 months ago

        When a chic-fil-a worker hits you with that, you gotta one-up them with “No! The pleasure is all mine!” and then hit the gas, peeling out cackling because you stole that pleasure motherfuckaaaaah.

        (Or better, don’t go to chic-fil-a)

        • Zeppo@sh.itjust.works
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          8 months ago

          I told a bartender “oh, the pleasure was all ours!” one time just sort of joking around and he said “you have no idea how much”. I wasn’t really sure how to take that.

            • Zeppo@sh.itjust.works
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              8 months ago

              Yeah, I saw a few intepretations:

              • he was joking
              • he hates his job and all of the customers
              • he hated us in particular (there’d be no reason why though, my gf and I showed up, had a couple glasses of wine, didn’t complain that one had gnats in it, got rained on on the patio, went inside and paid and I had just finished tipping 25-30%)
    • Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      I think we collectively decided that “you’re welcome” doesn’t make sense. Welcome to what??

        • Pandantic [they/them]@midwest.social
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          8 months ago

          Implying that it was an effort, but you are welcome to it. Whereas “no problem” denotes that the effort is was not a problem for me to do. I use them interchangeably - “you’re welcome” as a response to a complement, or something where there was moderate effort put into the task; “no problem” when the task was low effort (“Thanks for responding to that email so quickly”) or I feel my effort was obliged (helping pick up after a meeting).

          • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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            8 months ago

            Actually “no problem” implies that the thing would normally be a problem, but that you are negating that.

            It’s like saying “No visible bruising”. There’s the implication something happened that might have caused bruising.

            • Pandantic [they/them]@midwest.social
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              8 months ago

              Disagree, no problem is saying that what you are thanking me for was not a problem for me to do.

              Honestly, I think this perception is the disconnect between millennials thinking it’s better and boomers thinking it’s rude - two different perspectives of what it means.

              Also, don’t ackchyually me on an opinion.

      • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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        8 months ago

        Welcome to what??

        Isn’t that obvious? You’re welcome to the thing you received. The thing you are thanking them for.

      • ettyblatant@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Maybe it’s “you are welcome (to ask me for help/favors, as I am neutral to the task. I might even enjoy it.)”

        And “it’s not a problem (for me to do what you asked me to do; we have now both acknowledged that I have done something to help you that was not organic to me, but now we can move past it with no further conversation.)”

        I bet “no problem” to some people is like seeing someone wear a T-shirt to church. They’d really prefer it if you would put on a suit and tie, even though the purpose of both are the same (cover my body when away from home because that is our current social agreement), because a T-shirt is disrespectful.

        Also everyone sucks, it is a problem, and you are not welcome.

    • Nyanix@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      I think a lot of younger generation, myself included, prefer casual responses, conflating professionalism with being rude, slimy, or otherwise malintentioned

    • illi@lemm.ee
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      8 months ago

      I had to do one communucation trainung where the trainer saud that saying “no problem” should not be used, because it implies there might’ve been a problem. I was not convinced though.

      • blackbrook@mander.xyz
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        8 months ago

        Then “your welcome” implies you might not be welcome. Seems like either both work or both are problematic, he can’t have it both ways.

        • illi@lemm.ee
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          8 months ago

          Agreed. Might also be because “problem” is a word with negative conotation? Idk, I don’t see a problem (hah) myself

      • EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        8 months ago

        Wow. facepalm The words literally say there’s no problem, and yet it somehow implies there is a problem? Talk about overthinking what someone is saying.

        This is why I often hate neurotypical communication styles. The world would be a lot more straightforward if people just said what they meant. Jesus fucking Christ on a motorbike…

      • MrsDoyle@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Someone said that to me just the other day! That saying “no problem” implies there might be a problem. Crazy. I’m thinking of switching to “well it was quite an imposition on my time and energy to help you out, especially given you’re not paying me, but I’ll let it slide this time because you seem like an ok person and I’m in a good mood” just to annoy them.

        • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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          8 months ago

          I doubt that would annoy them more than “no problem” since it is perfectly in line with what they think you’re saying by “no problem”.

    • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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      8 months ago

      During my years in retail exactly one customer ever had a problem with me saying “no problem”. He also said he was an assassin. That’s not a joke. This old, fat boomer said I shouldn’t say ‘no problem’ because some people might take it to mean ‘yes problem’ and then told me he kills people for a living.

      That’s the stability of people that can’t understand the meaning of words. If I go to a police station and say I am a serial killer vs I’m not a serial killer, I don’t expect them to react the same…

    • littlewonder@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      I’ve been making an effort to use “happy to help” at work, instead of “no problem” because I was also informed it’s a generational thing.

      • sping@lemmy.sdf.org
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        8 months ago

        For paid service I like the simple “of course” recognizing that is what I’m here for and it’s normal. No faux generosity nor implication of a tolerated imposition.

  • BluJay320@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    8 months ago

    I see “no problem” as nicer. If I say that, I’m expressing that I really don’t mind, and there’s no need to thank me. No problem, as in I had no problem with doing this thing

    “You’re welcome” feels more like “I appreciate you thanking me, because I went out of my way to do this”, if that makes any sense

    • sping@lemmy.sdf.org
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      8 months ago

      Huh, to me, YW is much more gracious and positive that you’re happy to do it, while NP is more like “it was a tolerable burden”.

      Though for paid service I don’t like expected faux enthusiasm. I think “of course” is classy and not demeaning then, meaning “it’s what I’m here for”.

      • jack@monero.town
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        8 months ago

        In German, “you’re welcome” means “gern geschehen” which can be translated back to “I did it gladly”. So yea, I also think YW is very positive

        • Reil@beehaw.org
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          8 months ago

          See, that’s much closer to “(It was) my pleasure”, which is a valid English response (though these days it puts people in the mind of “Chick-fil-A employee”) than it is “You’re welcome”.

    • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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      8 months ago

      Except “no problem” traditionally means “no problem [despite this situation containing a likely problem]”.

      It means the person being thanked has gone outside their set of responsibilities to help you.

      Like “Thanks for letting us borrow your spare tire so we could get our car back to town” -> “no problem”.

      Here the other person had no responsibility to help with the others’ flat tire, much less lend out a piece of their own safety equipment.

      “You’re welcome” is the one which means “It is perfectly expected in our current roles that I would have provided this”.

        • olympicyes@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          I go to DMV. “You need a number to be in this line”. “My mistake. Where do I get this number?” “Over there.” “Oh, I see, thank you.” “You’re welcome.”

          • Pandantic [they/them]@midwest.social
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            8 months ago

            Wow, because the DMV uses it? Thanks for the source! Wait, I’ve heard a person at the DMV say “no problem” before…

            Also, I was asking the original commenter about the “traditional” use of “no problem”.

  • Drusenija@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Here’s a response I’ve seen about this around the net for a while now that feels right.

    "Actually, the “you’re welcome/no problem” issue is simply a linguistics misunderstanding. Older ppl tend to say “you’re welcome,” younger ppl tend to say “no problem.” This is because for older people the act of helping or assisting someone is seen as a task that is not expected of them, but is them doing extra, so it’s them saying, ‘I accept your thanks because I know I deserve it.”

    “No problem, however, is used because younger people feel not only that helping or assisting someone is a given and expected but also that it should be stressed that your need for help was no burden to them (even if it was).”

    “Basically, older people think help is a gift you give, younger people think help is a requirement.”

    https://didyouknowfacts.com/why-young-people-say-no-problem-instead-of-youre-welcome-and-why-older-people-hate-it/

      • Drusenija@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        To be fair, with no data to back it up, this is just an anecdote. So saying it’s stereotyping ageist bullshit is a perfectly valid response to it. I just felt it fit the question quite well so I went and dug it up and shared it. If you feel differently, no stress!

        The reality is going to be different to everyone, and it’s as much a learned behaviour as anything else. It’s not like collectively an entire generation got together and decided “it’s ‘no problem’ now instead of ‘you’re welcome’, okay?” Language evolves over time after all, and knowing why that happens and the actual causes for it are something that will require a lot more analysis than a couple of anecdotes from the internet.

        • Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          Yeah, sorry, I should add that I refer to the article, not your posting of it.

          The meat of the thing is a rando reply to a tweet by a guy, not any research the guy did.

  • Ænima@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    I saw a post a while back that said millennials use “no problem” instead of “you’re welcome” because no problem signifies the act was of little effort and was no problem to do. However, “you’re welcome” implies entitlement, as in you are welcomed to my time and effort, or some shit. I don’t remember, but yeah, just a “generational thing.”

    So yeah it’s a “can I speak to your manager” boomer thing, as usual. Only group I ever see getting their panties in a wad over a phrase. Just like “Merry Christmas” changing to “Happy Holidays” erases their religion or dares to put other similar holidays, in the same approximate time of the year on equal footing, making their religious holiday less significant.

  • Ioughttamow@kbin.run
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    8 months ago

    The appropriate response is that the debt must be repaid in kind, within the fortnight, lest their house fall into disrepute

    • investorsexchange@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      Or, simply: noblesse oblige.

      Actually, this might be the absolutely most obnoxious possibly response, especially in English. I’ve heard it used unironically in French, and I think I recall hearing it used sardonically in English. Anyone else?

      • Notyou
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        8 months ago

        The only time I say those words, Noblesse Oblige, is when I joined a clan of the same name in Kingdom of Loathing. I was still confused then and we just called it NO.

  • bfg9k@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    I always go with ‘No worries’ or ‘All good’, because ‘You’re welcome’ feels too formal for everyday conversations, plus as another comment mentioned it’s a generational thing as well

    • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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      See it’s not that “You’re Welcome” is too formal, I just can’t say it without almost breaking out into this.… Now it just almost sounds sarcastic

      And sometimes I just can’t help myself and I ad lib all the lyrics to whatever situation I am in. That movie completely ruined it for me.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      “You’re welcome” is too much of a commitment for me. What if I don’t want to help next time but already told the other party they were welcome to my help? Formally revoking that welcome sounds really awkward.

      “No problem” is just more honest because it keeps the scope to the current episode. Unless it was a problem but I’m glossing over it to just end the episode, in which case it’s still better than “you’re welcome”.

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    8 months ago

    Disclaimer: These are just my dumb thoughts with zero scientific evidence. Consider the opinion accordingly.

    I think it’s tied to how overwhelmed everyone is at all times now. Part of it is often “thanks” is said while someone is beelining out the door, so you don’t often have an opportunity to even say “you’re welcome.” Further, “no problem” is far more indicative of “actually, you didn’t inconvenience me at all by getting my help” in a society where everyone is absolutely time-starved due to overwork/underpay. It’s saying to the person saying “thank you” that “it’s okay to have minorly inconvenienced me, it was worth doing anyway.”

    Because yes, I am more likely to say “no problem” at this point than “you’re welcome” because most of the time I am dispensing technical information and advice that people usually have to pay to get. That’s the other aspect of it too, we’ve normalized that you have to pay to get anything decent (service or product) and so people offering technical skills and advice outside of a payment plan is definitely viewed differently.

    “You’re welcome” is valid but just doesn’t play well in a fast-paced society where everyone expects to have to pay through the nose for decent help and generally doesn’t have the time to give out those kind of favors themselves.

    • cerement@slrpnk.net
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      8 months ago

      in a society where everyone is absolutely time-starved due to overwork/underpay

      “You’re welcome” can almost appear condescending or stuck up in those situations whereas “No problem” comes across as an attempt to be a little more genuine

  • OldManBOMBIN@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    I read somewhere a few years ago that the decline of “you’re welcome” is due to a shifting in definitions or whatever- “you’re welcome” has come to mean “you are always welcome to my free labor” whereas “no problem” says something more like “I don’t have an issue spending my time on you.”

  • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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    8 months ago

    I think to a lot of younger people, “You’re Welcome” is the thing one older person insisted you say when you absolutely do not actually mean it. So younger people have found something else to say when they actually do mean it.

  • Pandantic [they/them]@midwest.social
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    8 months ago

    Hey do you guys know what “you’re welcome” is in Spanish? “De Nada” which means “of nothing”. Sounds almost like, “no problem”.

    This phrase isn’t new, either. It’s been around for centuries, just like the first instances of “you’re welcome”.

  • vzq@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    8 months ago

    “You’re welcome” is a silly colonial affectation. In British English you just shut up and smile.

  • Digital Mark@lemmy.ml
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    8 months ago

    Most languages respond something like “it’s nothing”, de nada. English is a little weird saying “welcome”.

    • laughingsquirrel@discuss.tchncs.de
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      8 months ago

      Well, in German we say “bitte” or “gern geschehen”, which is close to the “welcome”. Of course, people can and do also say “kein Problem”. I guess in my experience it depends on how I feel about the task and the person I did it for.

    • toastal@lemmy.ml
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      8 months ago

      Thai/Lao is ไม่เป็นไร/ບໍ່​ເປັນ​ຫຍັງ translated as (implied subject “it”) + negation marker + copula + anything or “it’s nothing”

    • sping@lemmy.sdf.org
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      8 months ago

      It varies regionally. While “you’re welcome” is not at all unusual in the UK, it’s nowhere near as expected and standard as it is in the US.

      I often hear “not at all” as a response, just like “de nada”. It’s also common in the UK not to respond at all, as the thanks are expected.

  • mrcleanup@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Because the customer has become an entitled piece of shit and you don’t tell an abuser “you’re welcome.”