"You're Welcome" vs. "No Problem" vs. "My Pleasure"

March 21, 2008 in Thoughts with View Comments

When someone says “Thank you” to you, how do you respond?

The 3 biggies are:

  • You’re Welcome
  • No Problem
  • My Pleasure

For me, I tend to lean toward “My pleasure”, only because my grandfather instilled that in me at an early age.  He said that “no problem”, although implying that there is no problem, also has a bit of a negative connotation to it.  Since it has the word “problem” in it, the underlying meaning is there.  “You’re welcome” is always the standard, but “my pleasure” has such a nice, positive sound to it.  I am sure we don’t always mean it, but it is implying that you are taking pleasure in whatever you are doing for the other person.

Plus, they say “My pleasure” at every Chick Fil A you go to.  Look for it next time you say thanks to one of the employees there.

So, what do YOU say?

  • I have also been watching the popular "no problem" response spreading like wildfire. I ordered a dozen roses for my cousins Bday and thanked the clerk. She said "no problem." In a day when roses are a luxury and rose sales are probably way down, she should have said "My pleasure! Please order from us again!" The popular "no problem" certainly has a negative connotation. It's plain old wrong and plain old rude.
  • Wellbroughtup
    It also iritates me! It implies that "you have not totally inconvenienced me too much!! A negative, rude approach! Then there are the ones who think they make it moreformal or acceptanle by saying "Not a problem!" A feable misdirected attempt, that is still negative!
  • Jimmy Terry
    "No problem" irritates me - it's become the new answer that to me typifies the malaise with which most service employees treat their jobs. Older people say the other two - it seems to me that "no problem" is more what the youth are saying. I also might say "thank YOU" in cases where service is exchanged for money.
  • yeah, that is usually my answer too. Also, "So, how is everything?" Response: "Pretty good".
  • yeah, that is usually my answer too. Also, "So, how is everything?" Response: "Pretty good".
  • Good post. I've always had a problem (lol) saying "no problem." It just felt wrong. Kind of like when people say, "What are you doing?" and I automatically answer "Nothing" or "Not much."
  • Good post. I've always had a problem (lol) saying "no problem." It just felt wrong. Kind of like when people say, "What are you doing?" and I automatically answer "Nothing" or "Not much."
  • good call with the SMS.
  • good call with the SMS.
  • for me it has always been "no problem". i don't know why. maybe because it just became a habit, plus, it's quite understandable when i just key in "NP" when sending sms. :)
  • for me it has always been "no problem". i don't know why. maybe because it just became a habit, plus, it's quite understandable when i just key in "NP" when sending sms. :)
  • I went through a phase a few months back where I said "yep" to people at work. I guess that should be the fourth response.
  • I went through a phase a few months back where I said "yep" to people at work. I guess that should be the fourth response.
  • I say "you're welcome." But sometimes at work I say "yep."
  • I say "you're welcome." But sometimes at work I say "yep."
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