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submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

I hear "No problem" far more often.

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[-] pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de 143 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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.

[-] tsonfeir@lemm.ee 95 points 6 months ago
[-] relative_iterator@sh.itjust.works 45 points 6 months ago
[-] halykthered@lemmy.ml 31 points 6 months ago
[-] Blizzard@lemmy.zip 21 points 6 months ago
[-] tsonfeir@lemm.ee 17 points 6 months ago
[-] Empricorn@feddit.nl 24 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Cup my balls!

Sorry, that might be regional...

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[-] creamed_eels@toast.ooo 14 points 6 months ago

I have a friend who loses his mind when anyone uses this (who isn’t Australian.) He is also not Australian, not sure what his burden is

[-] Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone 14 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Hit him with a "No wukkas mate" that will sort him right out

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[-] Mongostein@lemmy.ca 21 points 6 months ago

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

[-] acastcandream@beehaw.org 22 points 6 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

spoilerasdfasdfsadfasfasdf

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[-] artichokecustard@lemmy.world 15 points 6 months ago

you're whale cum

[-] intensely_human@lemm.ee 9 points 6 months ago

Welcome to what??

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

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[-] lanolinoil@lemmy.world 20 points 6 months ago

Nothing is worse than other options though like Chic fil a's mandated "my pleasure"

[-] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 20 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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)

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[-] Nyanix@lemmy.ca 18 points 6 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 16 points 6 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 13 points 6 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.

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[-] EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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...

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[-] BluJay320@lemmy.blahaj.zone 92 points 6 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

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[-] Drusenija@lemmy.world 76 points 6 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/

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[-] macabrett@lemmy.ml 56 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

you can say "you're welcome", its no problem

you can also say "no problem"

hope this helps, you're welcome

[-] Rhaedas@kbin.social 45 points 6 months ago

Languages change over time. As long as the intent is clear, don't get hung up on what is and isn't "correct". "You're welcome" probably was seen as extreme at some point itself.

[-] Ephera@lemmy.ml 15 points 6 months ago

I mean, I'm fully on board with not getting hung up on what's "correct", but these are words that do have a specific meaning and I do find it interesting that the preferred choice of words shifts (even if it is only caused by relatively few people, that actually think about their word choice there).

Specifically, "no problem" is kind of like saying "there's nothing to thank me for". And ultimately, it kind of says "I don't expect something in return".

Whereas "you're welcome" acknowledges that yes, I did help you, you are right to thank me for that, and also kind of "I would appreciate you returning the favor".

My personal theory is that the change in language happens, because we have a lot more contacts with strangers, either in big/foreign cities or online.
When you help a stranger, you know upfront that they won't be able to return the favor, simply because you won't stay in contact. So, not only should it definitely not be a personal sacrifice for you to help them, it also feels right to communicate that they don't owe you anything, so that they can go on in their life.

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[-] mjhelto@lemm.ee 43 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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 36 points 6 months ago

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

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[-] amio@kbin.social 35 points 6 months ago

"You're welcome" was always taught to me as the proper thing, but sounds slightly stilted. They express the same sentiment, roughly, but "[it was] no problem" is arguably clearer about it. I personally just think it's a slightly "nicer" nuance.

Of course, sometimes maybe it actually was a problem, and then I'd only say it if going out of my way to be nice about it.

[-] SuperApples@lemmy.world 14 points 6 months ago

Yes, to me, the nuance is what's important here.

"You're welcome" implies you did something good, and you know it. "I am good for doing this for you. You owe me!"

Whereas "no problem" implies it didn't cause you any trouble. "Doing this for you was not detrimental to my life. You owe me nothing."

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[-] bfg9k@lemmy.world 32 points 6 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

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[-] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 26 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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 38 points 6 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

[-] Lmaydev@programming.dev 10 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

It's funny you say that because some older people see no problem as rude. Like I know it wasn't a problem haha

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[-] OldManBOMBIN@lemmy.world 22 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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 22 points 6 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@midwest.social 21 points 6 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”.

[-] mdhughes@lemmy.ml 19 points 6 months ago

Most languages respond something like "it's nothing", de nada. English is a little weird saying "welcome".

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[-] blakeus12@hexbear.net 18 points 6 months ago

i usually hit 'em with the classic "of course" or "anytime" because you're welcome feels too formal for most situations

[-] vzq@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 6 months ago

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

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[-] DLSantini@lemmy.ml 15 points 6 months ago

I don't say it because you are, in fact, not welcome. I finish interactions with customers, even when they say thank you to me, by saying "thank you, have a nice day", as my non fireable version of "I'll thank you to kindly fuck off now."

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[-] RiderExMachina@lemmy.ml 14 points 6 months ago

Interestingly, Tom Scott did a video about this a few years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGnH0KAXhCw

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[-] ToxicDivinity@hexbear.net 14 points 6 months ago

It sounds more old fashioned every year. What does "your welcome" even mean. No problem makes more sense and feels more natural

[-] ped_xing@hexbear.net 15 points 6 months ago

You're welcome to ask things like that of me. This is within the realm of stuff I will gladly do for you.

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[-] mrcleanup@lemmy.world 12 points 6 months ago

Because the customer has become an entitled piece of shit and you don't tell an abuser "you're welcome."

[-] Dagwood222@lemm.ee 11 points 6 months ago

"My pleasure" is another alternative. I helped you because it makes me feel good, so you're doing me the favor.

Obsequious in a business setting, but nice in a social situation.

[-] StrongHorseWeakNeigh@lemmy.world 11 points 6 months ago

It's just a phatic expression. It's largely a generational difference which one is considered the more polite one.

[-] VaultBoyNewVegas@lemmy.world 9 points 6 months ago

I'm a fan of the local nae bother from my country.

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[-] RandomVideos@programming.dev 9 points 6 months ago

I usually like to run away when someone says "thanks!"

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this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2024
174 points (85.7% liked)

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