# Replying "No problem" when someone asks a favor. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 24, 2018, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830 "2018-09-24T13:42:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/22 "2018-09-24T15:58:04Z")
I think “no problem” in response to a request is fine. However I do not like it in place of “you’re welcome”. EX. Dude1: Hey thank you for XYZ. Dude2: No problem. I used to use it all the time, then one day I heard someone else say it and it seemed to refuse the thank you. It was unsatisfying, so I changed it.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/23 "2018-09-24T15:59:22Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I would have said instructor mumbo jumbo. You have somebody whose job is to teach business people. They don’t have anything real to say. But they don’t get paid if they don’t say something. > > What the OP describes sounds like the kind of empty nonsense somebody made up to fill up five minutes of class time. 5 minutes? I had a full 8 hours of ‘positive language’ training. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/24 "2018-09-24T16:24:12Z")
> [@BobBitchin](#): > > I think “no problem” in response to a request is fine. > > However I do not like it in place of “you’re welcome”. My personal preference would abolish “no problem.” By that ship has sailed. It does not impress me as mgmt mumbo jumbo to encourage/require employees to avoid phrases that MIGHT be misconstrued by customers, cow-orkers, etc. Especially when there are so many substitutes. Certainly. My pleasure. Sure thing. May not be entirely valid, but I think of social conventions where there seem to be so many instances where one is encouraged to tailor their language to avoid any possible bad feelings on the listener’s part. Refer to groups the way that group prefers. Avoid correct words if they might be misinterpreted. In such a climate, it seems to make sense to avoid even innocuous phrases that might be interpreted unfavorably. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/25 "2018-09-24T16:34:29Z")
You want me to stop saying it? OK, no problem! ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/26 "2018-09-24T16:41:18Z")
What about all the languages where “you’re welcome” is some form of a literal “it’s nothing?” De nada, de rien, etc. Are whole countries rude? ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/27 "2018-09-24T16:57:05Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > What about all the languages where “you’re welcome” is some form of a literal “it’s nothing?” De nada, de rien, etc. Are whole countries rude? “No problem” and “it’s nothing” seem to be opposites, so no, those countries aren’t rude. When saying “no problem,” the connotation is that you really did go out of your way, but you don’t really mind. If someone tells me thank you for stopping and changing his grandmother’s car tire, I might say “no problem.” If my server hands me the hamburger I ordered and I say “thank you,” he shouldn’t say “no problem.” ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/28 "2018-09-24T17:03:15Z")
Meh, I don’t see a whole lot of air between “it’s no problem” and “it’s no thing” in the grand scheme. I think the implication is the same, “I was not put out by this request,” as opposed to “you’re free to use my time and labors,” which is what “you’re welcome” implies. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/29 "2018-09-24T17:03:25Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > When saying “no problem,” the connotation is that you really did go out of your way That’s not how I understand it. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/30 "2018-09-24T17:10:36Z")
I think it’s just a loaner from French, y’all probably didn’t even commit violence in order to acquire it, and that as someone already put it, > [@pulykamell](#): > > Sounds like a bunch of managerial mumbo jumbo to me. Last year I had the opportunity to audit a two-day course on “running worker evals” during a visit to the US; I was doing some work and people were getting trained in that same room. One of the things the trainer said must never be done was use the word “but”. Apparently someone has decided that the word “but” is always negative, therefore something such as “I know you didn’t quite reach the objectives we had set, but it is clear to everybody that this was due to [some specific unexpected situation] and your response to that was superb” is inappropriate. Because it’s negative. So it shouldn’t be done. An’ stuff. And boy am I glad I don’t have to give a shit whether my conjunctions offend HR, because I’d feel tempted to do my evals in sign language and Spanish is a bit more emphatic than English when it comes to those. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/31 "2018-09-24T17:39:43Z")
Pro tip: “To fulfill your slightest whim is all that gives meaning to my lonely existence” is not generally considered an improvement. My feet are as wings to serve thee, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/32 "2018-09-24T17:44:16Z")
OP is absolutely correct, same reason I don’t say “hello” anymore (because it starts with “hell”) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/33 "2018-09-24T17:49:31Z")
Is “Yes, Mistress” still appropriate in certain situations? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/34 "2018-09-24T18:31:08Z")
[A related thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=858800) voicing a complaint about the Swedish phrase “ingen fara,” which literally translates to “no danger” [of being obligated], but colloquially translates to “no problem.” [No worries, mate.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_worries) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/35 "2018-09-24T18:38:08Z")
“No problem” was become a catchall phrase meaning “You’re welcome” and “I’ll do it,” depending on context. No one gives it any more thought or deeper meaning, though older folks find the change annoying. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/36 "2018-09-24T18:42:13Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Like so many other people, I have a habit of automatically saying “No problem” when someone asks me for a favor. But during a one-day management course I attended a few month ago, the instructor told the attendees to break this habit. She said the response of “No problem” is negative, and implies you assume all requests are problems unless proven otherwise. Or something like that. Anyway, she went on for a good five minutes of why we need to banish the “No problem” response. > > Agree? Sure. By which I mean I don’t agree. In my experience “no problem” means that the person really has no problem with the favor. When they agree to do it but have reservations (or just flat-out hate even being asked) the response is more often than not “sure”. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/37 "2018-09-24T18:51:10Z")
I recall reading in one of those gender communication book (Tannen, perhaps?) that women generally don’t like to hear “no problem,” because it unnecessarily brings up the concept of the request being a problem and maybe also implies that the criteria for doing things for someone is whether or not it’s a problem. Instead of, say, “I do things for you because I love you.” ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/38 "2018-09-24T18:52:57Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > “My pleasure” sounds like complete bullshit coming from my mouth. I just don’t talk like that. Agree with the sentiment. Plus, whenever I hear someone say this, I automatically assume they work or have worked at Chick-Fil-A. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/39 "2018-09-24T19:46:15Z")
That a phrase contains a negative or a positive seems completely irrelevant. E.g., “Have a good one.” just grates on me. I hate it. OTOH, “Don’t be a stranger.” seems quite friendly. In particular, “No problem.” indicates a relaxed response. They’re cool, I’m cool, we’re all cool. No worries, mate. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/40 "2018-09-24T20:19:55Z")
Sounds like someone is over analysing the phrase ‘no problem’ in order to have something pseudo meaningful to say in order to make you think it was a worthwhile course. Management course are full of this bullshit where someone comes up with nonsense reasons to do or not do something perfectly innocuous. My scale of accommodation goes from ‘no problem’ all the way to NEFM (not even fucking maybe) . ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830/41 "2018-09-24T20:44:24Z")
Whenever I hear that you shouldn’t use “No problem” because it’s “negative,” I always wonder about all those other acknowledgements of “Thank you” that are also negative in their construction, such as: [ul] [li]Think nothing of it.[/li] [li]Don’t mention it.[/li] [li]Not at all.[/li] [li]Don’t give it another thought.[/li][/ul] No one seems to object to any of those, but for some reason “No problem” irritates people. I don’t usually have much sympathy for the idea of “Looking for something to be offended by,” but in this case I think it really does apply. You just can’t parse stock phrases that closely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replying-no-problem-when-someone-asks-a-favor/821830.md?page=3)