Is It "No Problem" That "You're Welcome" Is Disappearing?

[BNWriter]

Saw this and wondered what writers thought of the change in language. Apparently, "No Problem" is gaining and on verge of overtaking "You're Welcome" in response to "Thank You."

Any Linguists out there among the SportsJournalists.com crowd? If so, please weigh in.

I have gotten used to "no problem." It's "It's All Good" that sends me climbing the wall in response to a thank you (and it has happened on occasion).

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2009/02/04/news/doc49887c1394abf861188095.txt

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

"You're welcome" ... "no problem" ... "don't worry about it" ...

It's all good.

 

[waterytart]

The Spanish and the French both say, "It's nothing" (de nada and de rien). That doesn't seem too far in meaning from "No problem."

Perhaps this is another sign of the U.S. being corrupted by international standards?

 

[JR]

It's a generational thing

I used to hate "no problem", but as the article says, it's better than "yup" and I'm resigned to it now.

I like the British approach where there are only two stages, "please" and "thank you".

Anything after that is superfluous.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

The Spanish and the French both say, "It's nothing" (de nada and de rien).  That doesn't seem too far in meaning from "No problem."

Perhaps this is another sign of the U.S. being corrupted by international standards?

Damn those evil French! Where are my freedom fries?!?

 

[Buck]

Language evolves. All languages evolve.
The important thing is the respect and civility behind the language.
I say 'no problem' all the time. I have for as long as I can remember. There's nothing wrong with it.
If I do something, I expect someone to acknowledge it with an expression of gratitude. I, in turn, acknowledge that expression of gratitude with an expression of graciousness.
The words are not as important as the motivation behind the words: respect, civility, politeness.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

So long as common courtesy is increasingly countenanced as a sign of weakness . . .

 

[forever_town]

I don't have a problem with "no problem." As mentioned before, the Spanish phrases for your welcome (de nada and no hay de que) essentially translate to "it's nothing." People also have said "don't mention it" or "don't worry about it" in response to "thank you."

"It's all good" is slang that may or may not remain in the lexicon after the next few years. It essentially means the same thing. Like Buck said, it's the civility behind the expressions that counts more than the actual expressions.

A "uh huh" in response? There's a problem. A"mmm hmm" that you'd use in response to doing something you really don't want to do? Bigger problem. "Yeah, whatever"? Another problem.

 

[cranberry]

"You're welcome" ... "no problem" ... "don't worry about it" ...

It's all good.

De nada.

 

[zebracoy]

This is going to sound odd now that I've typed it all out, but ...

I've always used "You're welcome" as a response to a difficult or larger favor - one where I'm inconvenienced and do something for someone else.

"Hey, thanks for giving that story a second look." "You're welcome."

Then the "No problem" or "It's OK" or "Yep" always comes if someone says something that really isn't a big deal.

"Hey, grab me that tape dispenser on your way over here." "Here you go." "Thanks." "No problem."

 

[highlander]

I open doors for people all the time, women and men, at stores, restaurants, whatever because to me it is "no problem" just common courtesy, which you don't see much anymore.

 

[zeke12]

friend of the friendless will be by, shortly.

This thread will be no problem for him.

Mmm-hmmm.

 

[Iron_chet]

Up in Canuckistan you hear "no worries" quite a bit.

The "UH HUH" I hear mostly when I am in Florida and while I am not a huge fan, at least it is some acknowledgement of thanks.

I do some work in Spanish speaking countries and every now and then bust out "con mucho gusto" (with my pleasure) instead of "de nada". It has gotten some puzzled looks but is mostly a hit.

 

[mike311gd]

It's not a problem for me. Actually, I saw "not a problem" quite a bit. I'm going to go with that one, Pat. And I'd like to buy a vowel.

 

[imjustagirl]

Dyno is flipping right now.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/29986/

I say no problem, but it always kills me when I do. It's a subconscious thing. But I also say "thank you" to a fault when I'm being waited on. Refill my water glass? "Thank you so much." Deliver my food to my table? "Thank you!" Bring me my check? "Thank you so much."

I don't expect a "you're welcome" for those things, but I do expect it for things when I go out of my way. If I hold a door open for you, not just stick my arm out behind me but actually stand outside and hold the door open for you, say thank you. Common decency.

 

[Terence Mann]

If the person you say "No problem" to doesn't know much about French or Spanish and the origins of language, they might feel a little differently about it. I know an elderly man who doesn't like it one bit. He says, "I didn't think it was a problem when I thanked you, but by you saying "No problem,' now I think maybe you might really think it's a problem. Is it?" He's a bit crusty.

What I think is funny is how most people have no problem with certain language changes, but others drive them up a wall. You can see it on threads about certain phrases and words. It's all personal choice, but say that to someone and they'll pull out a dictionary and tell you no, it's not. It's not -- unless it's a word they like. Then, the rules change. As does the language.

I say "You're welcome." I think it's more polite, but I don't know any other languages.

 

[AMacIsaac]

friend of the friendless will be by, shortly.

This thread will be no problem for him.

Mmm-hmmm.

My first thought upon seeing the thread title ... where is our humble servant anyhow?

 

[shotglass]

Anything which passes for courtesy these days ... I'll take it.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

The Spanish and the French both say, "It's nothing" (de nada and de rien). That doesn't seem too far in meaning from "No problem."

Perhaps this is another sign of the U.S. being corrupted by international standards?

You know, the metric system will be here any minute. They told me in school. In 1976.

 

[imjustagirl]

The Spanish and the French both say, "It's nothing" (de nada and de rien). That doesn't seem too far in meaning from "No problem."

Perhaps this is another sign of the U.S. being corrupted by international standards?

You know, the metric system will be here any minute. They told me in school. In 1976.

Man, you are OLD! They told you that before I was even BORN!!! (assuming they told you before March)