this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2024
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I hear "No problem" far more often.

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[–] [email protected] 92 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I see “no problem” as nicer. If I say that, I’m expressing that I really don’t mind, and there’s no need to thank me. No problem, as in I had no problem with doing this thing

“You’re welcome” feels more like “I appreciate you thanking me, because I went out of my way to do this”, if that makes any sense

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Huh, to me, YW is much more gracious and positive that you're happy to do it, while NP is more like "it was a tolerable burden".

Though for paid service I don't like expected faux enthusiasm. I think "of course" is classy and not demeaning then, meaning "it's what I'm here for".

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (2 children)

In German, "you're welcome" means "gern geschehen" which can be translated back to "I did it gladly". So yea, I also think YW is very positive

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

See, that's much closer to "(It was) my pleasure", which is a valid English response (though these days it puts people in the mind of "Chick-fil-A employee") than it is "You're welcome".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Duolingo taught me "wilkommen" for "welcome." Is that used IRL?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

No, not in the context of "you're welcome". Wilkommen is only used for saying e.g. "welcome home"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Except “no problem” traditionally means “no problem [despite this situation containing a likely problem]”.

It means the person being thanked has gone outside their set of responsibilities to help you.

Like “Thanks for letting us borrow your spare tire so we could get our car back to town” -> “no problem”.

Here the other person had no responsibility to help with the others’ flat tire, much less lend out a piece of their own safety equipment.

“You’re welcome” is the one which means “It is perfectly expected in our current roles that I would have provided this”.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

And I see it totally opposite. Interesting.

Also, can you cite this “traditionally” you reference?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I go to DMV. “You need a number to be in this line”. “My mistake. Where do I get this number?” “Over there.” “Oh, I see, thank you.” “You’re welcome.”

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Wow, because the DMV uses it? Thanks for the source! Wait, I’ve heard a person at the DMV say “no problem” before…

Also, I was asking the original commenter about the “traditional” use of “no problem”.