Is it bad to reply with "No problem" whenever someone says thank you?

Question

My boss got mad at me when a customer thanked me for good service in a restaraunt and I replied with no problem.....because it wasnt! My boss didnt like my reply. saying it was bad manners. I say it is just a pet peeve of his, or he is just old and is having mood swings! Is there anything wrong with my reply? Was he right?

Answer 1

No its not bad. The best way is to just say "thank you back." I really get peeved when someone says "uh huh" in a manner that sounds like they are irritated or annoyed by me when I thank them. Most people say "uh huh" in a negative context.

Answer 2

Yes he was right. You know the correct answer is 'you're welcome'.. so use it!

'No problem' is far too casual in a work situation, dealing with a customer. It implies that doing your job well COULD be a problem, or that you are doing the customer a favour by doing it.

It's fine to use in a social situation.. say when you're going to the drycleaner and your roommate asks you to take his too.. because it is a favour but also no problem!

But it doesn't really matter what you think... or what I think... while at work the boss gets to set the standard for manners.. however he shouldn't have gotten mad at you if he never told you before that he didn't like that phrase! And I hope he didn't do it in front of your co-workers... praise in public, scold in private.. )

Answer 3

There are better ways of answering, but I find that is usually sufficient.


I just wan to drop you some revelation, however, while I am here:

You asked a Q on art research and Christian 'failings' before.
I answered it, explaining quite clearly how it is that you are only taught and led by non-believing lecturers today, whose interest is in the findings that 'hint' at disproving Biblical writings.

I see by a number of things that you were really only interested in hearing other people vindicate your current direction. You weren't really interesgted in hearing anything any other way.
So, the intent of your Q was not genuine.
Also, it has been my clear experience on here Yahoo Answers that those individuals who tend to be non-Christian, particualrly 'anti-Christian' are the main ones who do not make their Yahoo email addresses available for interaction with others.

So, you tell me which kind of people tend to have themselves open and which kind tend to close themselves off.
Pople who close to others also close to truth.

You see, I wanted to do a Masters years ago that was to show how being obedient to Chtristian teaching made for better more successful sports performers; but the 3 lecturers who were capable of taking this field all made themselves unavailable for one reason or another.
But this is what happens in virtually all fields - especially Humanities-based, which is the perfect placement for your art subjects and history.

Because Christian orientation is excluded, no postgraduate studies can be undertaken re such and no lecturers are therefore eventually in the unis who facilitate a Christian base!!

There is much evidence actually found that well and truly supports Biblical prophecies and Biblical past.

Answer 4

Depends on whether you are being paid to serve or not.

I agree with your boss in that, as a waitress/waiter, you are being paid to serve the customer. If the customer says thank you, then you should reply along the lines of "my pleasure." Bonus points for following up with "is there anything else that I can do for you?"

However, if you go out of your way to do a favor for a friend, and that person says thank you, then it would be ok to reply "no problem" since, in that case, it is not your job to serve your friend.

Answer 5

Hi Nexus,

as a number of answerers have suggested, there are plenty of alternative answers you could give. Personally I see nothing wrong with the 'no problem' response.

Say it with a smile and I doubt anyone would be offended by the words. Here in Spain there is a saying 'No pasa nada' which is used as often as the 'No problemo' response. I have NEVER seen anyone offended by either.

However it IS wrong to say it, as your anally retentive boss obviously finds it offensive! If you want (or need?) to keep your job it would be much better to use an alternative.

A suggestion...(which may even help restore a good relationship with your boss) ask him for his advice (we're all suckers for that kind of ego-boosting) as to what to say. You'll get the opportunity to explain that you neither intended any disrespect to his customers, nor to him.

If you explain you want to serve him and his customers well he'll (possibly) think more of you for asking for his guidance and you'll face no more explosions of his temper for saying the 'wrong' thing.

You ask 'is he right?' Yes he is...he's the 'boss' - so what he says, goes. But he also, at least to me, is very wrong. Your answer certainly didn't display any 'bad manners' and , in fact, as the customer was thanking you for your good service I think that should be something your boss needs reminding of. (tactfully!)

Good luck,

BobSpain

Answer 6

There' nothing wrong with saying "no problem", your boss has the problem. He must misunderstand what "no problem" means. Evidently, it has an entirely different meaning in his world. And since he IS your boss, maybe when he's around, just say something else, like, or "Sure! If you need anything else, just let me know", or just, "Sure!! Could I get you anything else mam, or sir?" Just so you don't create more friction with your boss. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it. Your customers are already thanking you, so you must be doing something right, eh? I say ,"no problem" all the time, I've had people say to me, I thought it was kind and polite of them. It made me feel like I wasn't bothering them, like they really didn't mind. No problems here,mate.......

Answer 7

Many older people consider it bad manners to reply with 'no problem.' The proper reply is 'your welcome' or 'my pleasure.'
Your boss has the final say in your language at work.
That being said, many people of the younger generations don't care that you reply with 'no problem.' But while you're at work, you must abide by your bosses wishes.

Answer 8

i myself work in a 5 star environment. For me to say that sound "unprofessional" Im thinking thats what your boss was trying to tell you. Its not necessarily bad manners but to him it may sound like you are speaking "normal" talk and not "work" talk. Theres nothing wrong with your reply but keep in mind that he may be more formal than some people should be...depending on where you work and what you do for a living.

Answer 9

I say 'Thank God' whilst something undesirable occurs, too. If a puppy dies, I say a prayer to God to thank Him for the time I had the puppy and enjoyed it, and that i thank Him for taking the puppy to a extra suitable existence. I say 'Thank God' because of the fact I even have seen far too many situations that as quickly as something that seems undesirable occurs, there is in many situations an extremely stable reason, and that something plenty extra suitable will take place because of the fact of that 'undesirable element' occurring. i recognize i'm extraordinary, yet you asked, and that i gave you the real answer from ME.

Answer 10

I, personally, would find it bad manners for someone to ignore me when i said thank you, especially in a shop! I guess it is a personal preference thing, but if i were you, i would obey your boss (when hes watching!) you dont want to get kicked out for that!
I think he just has always run his busines in this way, and prefers to keep it going, as he knows that it has worked before...a change comes along, so maybe he is a bit stuck in his ways? Its not a bad thing!