You're Welcome!

I thought I would write about a little idea that I have. It is inspired by a grammatical/social pet peeve of mine. It seems that lately, no one says "you're welcome." Sometimes the response to a thank-you is a reflexive thank-you. That's not so bad. But still, if a person is thanking you, and you thank them back, you have never really responded to their thanks. I hear this on television and the radio all the time.

What is even worse, in my opinion, is when a person responds by saying "no worries," or "no problem." There are times when we really do put people out and they go out of their way to help us and it is not expected. Then they could say "no problem." When a person is working in a service industry such as a sales person or a waiter, and they say, "no problem", I want to say "it shouldn't be a problem because it is your job and you are getting paid for it. Saying no problem or no worries, implies that there could be something to worry about. I want to say, "I am not worried."

But, really, when we give a gift or do something as a kindness, or perform a service that we are supposed to be doing, the correct response is "You are welcome!" or "It is my pleasure!"

I hope I don't sound old and uptight. I realize that language is a living, evolving system, and it is a small thing, but I say, let's try to hang on to You're Welcome. I would very much welcome any comments about this!