I’ve heard it explained that “hey” used to be more of an urgent way to get someone’s attention, rather than a casual “hello” like it is now, so it sounded rude to some older folks.

  • Ramόn Sánchez
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    32 years ago

    Who said anything about me, specifically? Saying “no problem” makes you sound insincere or that the task the customer asked you to do, was literally no problem and that’s the only reason you complied. There are all kinds of ways people can interpret that, but only one way to interpret “you’re welcome”.

    I’m not going to say anything if you say that, but don’t act surprised when older people aren’t as forgiving.

    • @[email protected]
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      2 years ago

      If someone says you’re welcome, you know they are a corporate drone and management wants them to say that to avoid certain people making a scene. Why’s it insincere to say no problem? In the same vein, they only said you’re welcome because they are complying too.

      There’s no issues with saying no problem unless you want there to be. Those are cool workplaces.

      • Ramόn Sánchez
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        22 years ago

        I just pointed out the problem. That phrase can interpreted many ways. We are also not talking about office buildings, we are specifically talking about the hospitality industry, where the language you use makes a significant impact on the customer’s experience.

        • @[email protected]
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          42 years ago

          And so can you’re welcome. So why does it matter which phrase if both can be misconstrued?

          Language matters everywhere, who mentioned anything about an office building?

      • @[email protected]
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        22 years ago

        I personally see “anytime” as a much more appropriate reply to “thank you” than “no problem”.

    • @[email protected]
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      2 years ago

      only one way to interpret “you’re welcome”

      This is just wrong. Tone matters just as much with “you’re welcome” as it does with “no problem”. Language is fluid like that, and it’s completely arbitrary to elevate one of these expressions over the other when both are in common usage.

      Also, you’re deliberately misrepresenting what “no problem” means, in regards to “that’s the only reason you complied”. Nobody says it that way, and I don’t believe that you think they do.

      • Ramόn Sánchez
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        12 years ago

        Using semantics to make your point, is lazy and misleading. Of course you could say “you’re welcome” in a tone that could be taken as rude, but that wasn’t the point. The point was showing the difference between the two phrases.

    • @[email protected]
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      42 years ago

      The implication is that a problem was assumed until “no problem” was stated.

      “No problem” is absolutely low key rude.