When did "No Problem!" replace the more polite "You're Welcome!"?

Answer 1

I'm not sure, but I have always used "You're welcome" instead of anything else. Maybe it just shows how lazy and uneducated our country is becoming!

Answer 2

I have to agree with one who previously stated in thier answer "why is one more polite then the other" They are both valid responses to the statement. The fact that one seems to be "replacing" the other has to do with the fact that overtime language evolves and words change meaning. The word "gay" for instance originally meant happy yet now means homosexual. Language grows and changes so long as it continues to be spoken in the mainstream. In other languages such as french's "de rien" and spanish's "de nada" might have influenced this because when loosely translated they mean "no problem" You simply have to accept change especially when it is something as unimportant as a single phrase in a language. Things can't always stay the way they were otherwise we would still be crucifying people and burning "witches" Progress has it's downsides but there tend to be fewer problems with it then there are with the inability to change.

Answer 3

"No Problem" seems to be a little less formal than "You're Welcome", so I can see some settings where that wouldn't be acceptable. But of course, I always prefer a little informality when dealing with others, because, in my opinion, it shows a little bit of a personal connection; a willingness to be human with a stranger.

On a slightly off topic point, I noticed a lot of people commenting on their dislike of what they perceive as a little disrespect. To me, it sounds like your saying "Thank You" is supposed to be something to be applauded. It is nice, and it should reflect your true feelings, but you shouldn't say it expecting anything in return. Say it cause you mean it. Their saying "Your Welcome" is a polite and hopefully sincere way of letting you know that they are glad they helped. If it put them out and they resent it, oh well. Just remember that favors are things you don't necessarily deserve but would like.

Answer 4

"No problem" is more casual than "You're welcome". Both mean the same thing, though. You could also say "My pleasure", which would be a little more formal than "You're welcome".

The point is that we speak a language that allows us to use different words to say the same thing. "It wasn't a problem at all to do that for you." "I am glad to have done that for you." It's a slightly different emphasis, but essentially the same message.

Edit: A person answered after me that it is actually rude for a paid staff to respond with "No problem" to a customer. While it is informal, I simply don't follow the train of thought. 'Not a problem' literally means "No thanks are necessary; my effort was no problem for me." That's not rude and it's not self-centered. In truth no thanks is actually necessary for a paid staff member.

Answer 5

I am with you but it looks like we're in the minority.
I actually find it even more inappropriate when people use it after they've been asked to do something ~especially in a professional setting.
I just think it's such a shame when others think you are being snobby or high-and-mighty for using proper manners, it's as if they would rather be part of a society that has been "dumbed down" rather than make an effort to use basic etiquette.

Answer 6

Glad someone brought this up.

For the record, the response, "no problem" is RUDE and SELF-CENTERED--but only when the responder is an EMPLOYEE, such as a waiter/waitress.

Since I'm the one PAYING for service, I'm NOT OBLIGATED in the first place to say 'thank you' for said service, (or even give that establishment my business in the first place)--the employee is doing MERELY WHAT IS EXPECTED of them for PAYMENT RECEIVED. Therefore, my saying 'thank you' is a polite--though not obligatory-- expression of civility, and I expect in return a civil "you're welcome" --NOT the self-centered and adolescent, "no problem."

The issue (again, this applies only to employees) is that saying 'no problem' implies that my request (that I'm PAYING for) COULD be perceived as an imposition to someone 'less understanding' as they. But of course it can never be an imposition to serve a customer's request, since that's what they are GETTING PAID to do. In fact, if anything, they are the ones who should be THANKING ME for paying THEM--not implying their COMPENSATED fulfilling of a customer's request could somehow be perceived as an imposition on them with a stupid, self-centered reply.

Having said that, I absolutely have no problem with 'no problem' when it comes from a PEER. If a peer does me a favor for which I feel obligated to thank them, there is always the possibility that said favor (which they were NOT OBLIGATED to do in the first place) COULD INDEED have been an imposition on them. If they wish to express to me that my request was indeed NOT an imposition, the response 'no problem' is perfectly appropriate and welcome.

In summary, "no problem" is appropriate from a peer, and NEVER appropriate (actually rude and unacceptable) from a compensated employee.

Answer 7

I have always wondered why other languages reply to a thank you by minimizing and invalidating what they are being thanked for. It seems to me like "your welcome" is much nicer. It still says you are happy to have done whatever it is for them, without invalidating their thanks. In fact, the "de nada" and "por nada" seem to me, when literally translated and interpereted to actually be kinda rude, "of nothing", or "for nothing" implies the good deed was done for nothing! Then why do it?! However, the people saying these replys don't mean it the way it can literally be interpereted. They have the same meaning in their hearts as those that say, "Your welcome", and that is all that really matters. If someone says, "No problem" in a tone of voice that indicates they don't really care for your thanks, then it is rude, but otherwise, it is not.

Answer 8

I don't think it has replaced it at all. An acknowlegement of some one's gratitude is never less polite because of the way it is worded. "No problem", "Glad I could help you", "You're welcome", "Think nothing of it", "My pleasure." None if these are more correct then any of the others.

Answer 9

It didn't replace it since "you're welcome" is still used. I think "no problem" is just seen as a more casual and relaxed way for someone to acknowledge thanks that are being given to them. It's still an acknowledgment of the gratitude, and isn't that all that really matters?

Answer 10

I have no problem with people saying "no problem" instead of "thank you". However, what I don't like is when people say "uh-huh" instead of "thank you" or "no problem". It's almost as if they're saying "yeah, well I'm glad you thanked me, because you should have." I don't really get offended by that, per se, but it bugs me a bit.