# How do you feel about the phrase "no problem"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 13, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401 "2009-11-13T03:04:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/41 "2009-11-14T20:02:25Z")
No problem? No problem. My pleasure? Unless it’s an older and/or foreign type or at a highly fancy place I would never go to anyway, seems wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too formal. Frankly, no problemo would be even better than no problem. Shows a comfortable casualness that makes the waiter/waitress seem more accessible. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/42 "2009-11-14T21:10:56Z")
As a professional in a customer service - related field, I flat-out refuse to say it because of how some entitled people say it. Also, there are much better things to say that sound more professional. “You’re welcome” is always good. “No, thank _you_” (said sincerely) is a good alternative. I like being well spoken and putting forth a good image to customers, so I personally would never use it. I’m not offended by people using it to me, but I just don’t care for the phrase itself in professional conduct. I do, however, use it in casual conversation with family and friends. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/43 "2009-11-15T11:55:21Z")
> [@that\_darn\_cat](#): > > All of you that are insulted by the use of no problem need to get over yourselves. It’s a way of acceding to a request in a courteous, if somewhat casual way. They didn’t burn your dog, get over it. Apparently it is a way of acceding to a request, but I don’t think it has been for long. To my ears it sounds like “You aren’t ugly”, except more common. It’s still a little jarring to hear the prospect of having created a problem or being ugly, especially when the default expectation is of pleasant interaction. Being insulted by this would seem to create a need to get over it, as the custom certainly is widespread. But expressing negative feeling about the phrase “no problem” is perfectly acceptable in a thread asking “How do you feel about the phrase ‘no problem’.” One might say doing so is no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/44 "2009-11-15T12:25:57Z")
I admit I’ve been known to use “No problem.” in e-mails as well as when talking to someone When I’ve use it in an e-mail, it’s in response to a request from someone I know who’s asking for something which will involve some work, but not much. I’ve also been known to use “My pleasure” or even “Very much my pleasure” to indicate that I enjoy working for them and/or the bit of work they asked for. On the other hand, if I were a waitress or has some similar job, I’d probably say “Certainly” or “Absolutely” in response to a request. This may be a hijack, but I wanted to address this point in the OP: > [@Runs With Scissors](#): > > It’s like when someone calls me “sir” in a forum. They don’t mean “sir.” They mean “you fucking bastard.” Sure, it looks polite on paper. But it isn’t. I call people “sir” or “madam,” putting both syllables in “madam” when I’m angry at them. In fact, when I do that, it’s a sign that I’m about to lose my temper. As far as I’m concerned, it’s perfectly polite and it’s a classic demonstration of how etiquette works. Being polite doesn’t mean you’re never allowed to get angry at someone. Instead, it gives you ways of dealing with someone you’re angry at without being rude. I would much rather be called “madam” than “asshole” because I’m just old fashioned enough to dislike being sworn at. Using “madam” to me indicates that a person is angry enough to put some distance between her and the person she’s angry at, but not about to descend to rudeness or profanity. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/45 "2009-11-22T06:43:21Z")
Well, now that I’m thinking about it, I could see how it could possibly be annoying and have negative implications. But apparently it doesn’t actually bother me at all in practice, because I never notice whether anyone says “no problem,” “you’re welcome,” or “it has been my sincerest pleasure to ring up your small coffee this morning. Thank you so much for shopping at Quik Chek and please do come again soon.” > [@Civil\_Guy](#): > > It’s bound to be a little awkward if it’s taken literally, since the whole exchange is an exchange of manners, not pure sensibility. > > “Could I have another slice of lemon in my water?” That’s not a question that itself is meant to be taken literally. “Well, yes, ma’am, you _could_, but until you actually ask for one, you won’t.” …Now that would be wrong. Heh. That would make for a funny skit–a restaurant staffed by grammar nazis. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/46 "2009-11-22T07:59:18Z")
Is this thread only restricted to using ‘no problem’ in the context of saying ‘you’re welcome’? The last time I used no problem was when someone was apologizing for being late to a meeting with me. She said, ‘sorry I’m late’. I said, ‘no problem’. Is there the same issue with that? ETA: Just read the poll and it was explicit and answered my question. I’m leaving my question up though, in case anyone decides that ‘no problem’ in this context is also a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401/47 "2009-11-22T08:47:18Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > No problem? No problem. > > My pleasure? Unless it’s an older and/or foreign type or at a highly fancy place I would never go to anyway, seems wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too formal. This is funny about 5 months ago I had a temp job for a week working a switchboard and we would ask “…How may I assist you” “I’d like Mr Smith” “It’s my pleasure to connect you.” And then we’d connect them I still think it’s funny, to think of a phone operator getting “PLEASURE” out of directing phone calls 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-the-phrase-no-problem/517401.md?page=2)