Please Stop Saying “No Problem” When I Say “Thank You” [Opinion]
When in the heck did "no problem" become the response to "thank you"? I don't think it even makes sense. I say "thank you", you say, "no problem". That doesn't work for me.
Someone does something for me, I'm grateful, I say, "thank you". In the old days the correct response, which is still the correct response, by the way, is, "YOU'RE WELCOME".
The response "no problem" after I say "thank you" could indeed indicate that my nice words to you could have been a problem for you. When did the words thank you have the possibility of becoming a problem.
I would love to get a bunch of people of different ages together to take a poll. I would bet money that the older folks in the group would say the appropriate response to, "thank you" is NOT, "no problem". I think I get almost bitter about it.
If I were conducting an interview with two equal candidates and one used the phrase, "no problem" at the end of the interview and the other said, "you're welcome", I'd hire the latter.
I know Millennials may read this and think I'm so old and have no clue as to how to speak to people in 2021. I would say to them, this has nothing to do with age or the date. The response "no problem" to the words, "thank you" is 100% not correct. If I were a burden to you and my "thank you" is not accepted, just say nothing. If my "thank you" is welcomed, say, "you're welcome". That is the appropriate response.
Merriam-Webster even agrees.
As we're all taught as children, the traditional response to "Thank You" is "You're Welcome". This reply goes back to the early 20th century, but since that time a slew of hip, laidback alternatives--"it's nothing," "forget it," "think nothing of it," "my pleasure," "no sweat," "no worries," among others--have enlivened the language of politeness. One, however, isn't always welcomed with open arms, and we don't know why exactly. That oft-maligned expression is "no problem."--Merriam-Webster
I'd like to meet the person who used the response "no problem" for the very first time. 'Cause you know, it had to originate somewhere. There was one human being who said it first, I'd like to meet that human.
I'd also like to meet the person who decided "mountain" should be pronounced "mount-en".