The crux is that instead of saying, “You’re welcome,” the younger generation is saying “No problem.” The older generation thinks, “I never said there was a problem. In fact, there never was a problem and no one ever thought there was a problem. So why are you saying, 'No problem,' when I pay for my groceries or I acknowledge you for holding the elevator for me?"
The CBS guy got all turned around, though, saying that when you thanked someone for a big favor, then it was okay for that person to reply, “No problem.”
No.
When someone does something for which you thank him or her, there are many things to say: “You’re welcome.” “Sure Thing.” “You bet.” “Glad to do it.” Or, in some cases, “No! Thank you!!!”
Back to basics. Manners are about making the other person feel good. The only time saying “No Problem” meets that standard is as an answer to an apology. Someone feels bad because of stepping on your toe, losing something he or she borrowed from you, spilling coffee on your rug, breaking a dish of yours.
To make that person feel better in such a situation, when he or she apologizes, you try to alleviate the embarrassment, make the person feel okay again. So you say, “You have done no real harm.” Nothing serious. Don’t worry. The person in question has created no problem.
Thus, this guide post: when someone does something nice and you say, “Thank you,” the reply should never be, “No harm done.”
You got a problem with that?
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