Dear Jacquelyn,

I’ve picked up the habit of saying “No problem” in response to someone saying “Thank you.” Is “No problem” an appropriate and polite response?

Dear Reader,

Many of us accept the response of “No problem” because we are accustomed to hearing it and we use the phrase ourselves.

While the response might be appropriate for informal personal settings, an innocent remark such as “No problem” is not quite as polite as “You’re welcome.”

It’s important to remember that word choices matter. The classic and simple alternative is “You’re welcome.” Better still, try saying “It’s my pleasure” or “I’m happy to help.” These are suggestions that you can use to replace “No problem” that show gratitude and offer an elevated exchange of appreciation.

Generally, “No problem” is used for small courtesies such as holding a door. “No problem” is also commonly used as a response to someone politely apologizing for a very minor inconvenience.

The main difference is that “You’re welcome” is meant to be polite while “No problem” is generally meant to be friendly.

The confusion lies in the situation. After all, etiquette is situational. Imagine that you’ve prepared a dinner party and afterward, a guest says “Thank you” and you reply “No problem.”

In a sense, you’re turning around saying “It was nothing to me really,” which implies the guest wasn’t worth much effort in your eyes. “You’re welcome” works better here because it means you were happy to have made that effort for them.

Details do in fact matter, and our word choices, no matter how insignificant they might seem, should be made with sincerity. The intention is to not make light of someone’s good will. Downplaying a thank-you with “No problem” lacks appreciation and gets lost as an apology or chore.

The truth is that words matter, particularly final words of an exchange which can leave a lasting impression, even if just a subtle one. It’s worth the effort to drop the no problem habit.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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