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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate the phrase, "no problem"

67 replies

jameelaq · 01/10/2010 16:30

Very annoying when all companies' representatives say this. I feel like saying, "well I didn't think there would be a problem" or "what? is there a problem" or "thank God for that" They all say it without thinking, as a filler.

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 01/10/2010 16:32

I think it is just one of those throwaway type comments. Perhaps it is a regional thing? It is widely used where I live (Midlands). Usually it is said in a cheery, upbeat tone, almost an equivalent to "you're welcome"

Other people say "no worries" or "don't worry". Not because there is cause to worry, but just again as a conversation filler/platitude.

Rockbird · 01/10/2010 16:33

You're overthinking it. It's just a saying.

nannylocal · 01/10/2010 16:33

YABU only because I say it all the time....Blush. Whenever someone says 'Thank You' I go for 'you're welcome' or 'no problem'.

nannylocal · 01/10/2010 16:34

ooh onepiece x-post

onepieceoflollipop · 01/10/2010 16:36

no problem nannylocal Wink

Original poster
jameelaq · 01/10/2010 16:36

Well, we all get annoyed by something, but surely the point of language is that it has a meaning? SO when I ask for a statement of my balance and the response is "no problem" not only is it a bit too informal imho but seems to imply that there might be generally a problem but luckily not in this case or that in fact I am a problem but there going to do me a favour by answering the question.

OP posts:
cumfy · 01/10/2010 16:48

I quite like no worries, seems congenial esp Ozzies.

It's/That's not a problem is generally a positive response to a request; seems entirely OK to me.

No problem seems like a portmanteau of the two; basically no worries minus the style.

All just figures of speech, so no worries.

usualsuspect · 01/10/2010 16:50

NP

prozacfairy · 01/10/2010 17:04

I say it all the time.

Therfore, YABU.

Obviously. Grin

Original poster
jameelaq · 01/10/2010 17:23

I can't be in a minority of one, surely?
Ahh well, it won't be the first time I have been left with the couch

OP posts:
SkippyjonJones · 01/10/2010 17:27

YABU I couldn't muster up enough energy to care about that "Its not my problem" is much more irritating.

grottielottie · 01/10/2010 17:28

It's far worse when an o is added.
"no problem" shudder

Ragwort · 01/10/2010 17:30

I agree with you !

I don't like it, think it's lazy and not quite right somehow ... but can't really explain why - it just sounds so insincere.

Even worse is 'not a problem' Grin.

mayorquimby · 01/10/2010 17:30

no problemo (throws some finger guns)

nickelbabe · 01/10/2010 17:30

yeah, you're in a minority - i say it when my customers are very grateful to me.
and sometimes I say "All part of the service, Modom (or sir)".
and sometimes I say, "that's perfectly alright"
or "you're welcome"

Original poster
jameelaq · 01/10/2010 17:36

Yes Ragwort, that is the one I meant. "not a problem" to which I feel like responding, "I didn't expect it to be one"

OP posts:
said · 01/10/2010 17:53

OP, you've used the word "well". Surely the fillerest of filler words. Grin

Original poster
jameelaq · 01/10/2010 19:02

"well" has a specific meaning and is a specific signifier for example, showing the intention of drawing a conclusion. So not really a filler

OP posts:
retiredgoth2 · 01/10/2010 19:05

It's no biggy...

retiredgoth2 · 01/10/2010 19:06

..so You're Welcome.

Have a nice day now, you hear?

retiredgoth2 · 01/10/2010 19:07

Oh.

And Turn That Frown Upside Down girlfriend...

Rockbird · 01/10/2010 19:07

If you were speaking to me on the phone and said "I didn't expect it to be one" in answer to my cheery "no problem", you'd get a totally different level of service. It sounds very antagonistic. I wouldn't be impressed to be spoken to like that.

Morloth · 01/10/2010 19:09

I say No Worries all the time, sometimes I even through in a Mate or a Luv.

SacharissaCripslock · 01/10/2010 19:11

I used to work in a coffee shop many moons ago and used "no problem" all the time. They'd say, "Can I have fish and chips, please," and I'd answer, "Yes, no problem, that'll be ten minutes," or words to that effect. I didn't even think of it - it was just something to say.

To this day I still remember the WANKER that sneered at me for using it. I was young and cheery and nice to everyone - which you don't often get in a job like that so he should have bloody happy he wasn't being served by a surly teen. Angry

OP, you have touched a nerve here. Grin

DirtyMartini · 01/10/2010 19:24

Its ancestry is, I think, this sort of old-skool polite exchange:

1940s person: I'm so sorry to trouble you, but could you please [insert minor request here]? Thank you ever so much.

Other 1940s person: That's no trouble at all, Madam :)

Would you see that as filler, or annoying? Because it's not really any different. It's a response to the notion that you, as a polite person asking for assistance or service, may need reassurance that your request is being cheerfully dealt with.

YAB a bit U in my opinion. It could be a lot worse.