How do native English speakers respond to “Thank you”?












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In my school and university I was taught to say "Not at all" or "Don't mention it" in response to "Thank you!". Now I rarely hear these phrases used, but rather something like "You're welcome", "It's OK", "My pleasure", or "No problem".



My real life conversation experience is very poor. I often listen to some English learning podcasts, and watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from the modern real life world.



How do native English speakers tend to respond to "Thank you!" now? What I should care about, when choosing from the available options?










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  • 2




    Related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/1265/… That question is more specific than this, but its answers are relevant for this too.
    – Jonik
    Sep 4 '10 at 11:10






  • 3




    For providing an example of a good, basic question: Thank you.
    – Neil Fein
    Sep 4 '10 at 15:05






  • 2




    @rem, you mention that you "watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from modern real life world". Don't discount the influence of entertainment on everyday language usage. ;)
    – Chris Noe
    Sep 4 '10 at 21:22








  • 6




    An HR rep came to our office to give us the etiquette of email, and her response to this quesiton was to not reply with anything at all if someone sent an email saying "thank you", as it would create clutter in peoples' inboxes.
    – OghmaOsiris
    Jun 23 '11 at 15:08






  • 7




    As an aside, I think the reason 'Not at all' and 'Don't mention it' were suggested as responses is because they are closer to the literal meanings of those same responses in other languages (c.f. 'de nada' in Spanish, 'de rien' in French, perhaps most accurately translated as 'of nothing' in English). 'You're welcome' and 'no problem' are the most common responses I've heard in Canada, which are more awkward constructions in other languages when directly translated (although there is 'pas de problème' in French, and 'bitte' in German.).
    – Hannele
    Nov 24 '11 at 22:56
















112














In my school and university I was taught to say "Not at all" or "Don't mention it" in response to "Thank you!". Now I rarely hear these phrases used, but rather something like "You're welcome", "It's OK", "My pleasure", or "No problem".



My real life conversation experience is very poor. I often listen to some English learning podcasts, and watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from the modern real life world.



How do native English speakers tend to respond to "Thank you!" now? What I should care about, when choosing from the available options?










share|improve this question




















  • 2




    Related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/1265/… That question is more specific than this, but its answers are relevant for this too.
    – Jonik
    Sep 4 '10 at 11:10






  • 3




    For providing an example of a good, basic question: Thank you.
    – Neil Fein
    Sep 4 '10 at 15:05






  • 2




    @rem, you mention that you "watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from modern real life world". Don't discount the influence of entertainment on everyday language usage. ;)
    – Chris Noe
    Sep 4 '10 at 21:22








  • 6




    An HR rep came to our office to give us the etiquette of email, and her response to this quesiton was to not reply with anything at all if someone sent an email saying "thank you", as it would create clutter in peoples' inboxes.
    – OghmaOsiris
    Jun 23 '11 at 15:08






  • 7




    As an aside, I think the reason 'Not at all' and 'Don't mention it' were suggested as responses is because they are closer to the literal meanings of those same responses in other languages (c.f. 'de nada' in Spanish, 'de rien' in French, perhaps most accurately translated as 'of nothing' in English). 'You're welcome' and 'no problem' are the most common responses I've heard in Canada, which are more awkward constructions in other languages when directly translated (although there is 'pas de problème' in French, and 'bitte' in German.).
    – Hannele
    Nov 24 '11 at 22:56














112












112








112


40





In my school and university I was taught to say "Not at all" or "Don't mention it" in response to "Thank you!". Now I rarely hear these phrases used, but rather something like "You're welcome", "It's OK", "My pleasure", or "No problem".



My real life conversation experience is very poor. I often listen to some English learning podcasts, and watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from the modern real life world.



How do native English speakers tend to respond to "Thank you!" now? What I should care about, when choosing from the available options?










share|improve this question















In my school and university I was taught to say "Not at all" or "Don't mention it" in response to "Thank you!". Now I rarely hear these phrases used, but rather something like "You're welcome", "It's OK", "My pleasure", or "No problem".



My real life conversation experience is very poor. I often listen to some English learning podcasts, and watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from the modern real life world.



How do native English speakers tend to respond to "Thank you!" now? What I should care about, when choosing from the available options?







word-choice politeness






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edited Apr 4 '12 at 16:05









RegDwigнt

82.8k31281377




82.8k31281377










asked Sep 4 '10 at 8:10









remrem

4,382245670




4,382245670








  • 2




    Related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/1265/… That question is more specific than this, but its answers are relevant for this too.
    – Jonik
    Sep 4 '10 at 11:10






  • 3




    For providing an example of a good, basic question: Thank you.
    – Neil Fein
    Sep 4 '10 at 15:05






  • 2




    @rem, you mention that you "watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from modern real life world". Don't discount the influence of entertainment on everyday language usage. ;)
    – Chris Noe
    Sep 4 '10 at 21:22








  • 6




    An HR rep came to our office to give us the etiquette of email, and her response to this quesiton was to not reply with anything at all if someone sent an email saying "thank you", as it would create clutter in peoples' inboxes.
    – OghmaOsiris
    Jun 23 '11 at 15:08






  • 7




    As an aside, I think the reason 'Not at all' and 'Don't mention it' were suggested as responses is because they are closer to the literal meanings of those same responses in other languages (c.f. 'de nada' in Spanish, 'de rien' in French, perhaps most accurately translated as 'of nothing' in English). 'You're welcome' and 'no problem' are the most common responses I've heard in Canada, which are more awkward constructions in other languages when directly translated (although there is 'pas de problème' in French, and 'bitte' in German.).
    – Hannele
    Nov 24 '11 at 22:56














  • 2




    Related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/1265/… That question is more specific than this, but its answers are relevant for this too.
    – Jonik
    Sep 4 '10 at 11:10






  • 3




    For providing an example of a good, basic question: Thank you.
    – Neil Fein
    Sep 4 '10 at 15:05






  • 2




    @rem, you mention that you "watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from modern real life world". Don't discount the influence of entertainment on everyday language usage. ;)
    – Chris Noe
    Sep 4 '10 at 21:22








  • 6




    An HR rep came to our office to give us the etiquette of email, and her response to this quesiton was to not reply with anything at all if someone sent an email saying "thank you", as it would create clutter in peoples' inboxes.
    – OghmaOsiris
    Jun 23 '11 at 15:08






  • 7




    As an aside, I think the reason 'Not at all' and 'Don't mention it' were suggested as responses is because they are closer to the literal meanings of those same responses in other languages (c.f. 'de nada' in Spanish, 'de rien' in French, perhaps most accurately translated as 'of nothing' in English). 'You're welcome' and 'no problem' are the most common responses I've heard in Canada, which are more awkward constructions in other languages when directly translated (although there is 'pas de problème' in French, and 'bitte' in German.).
    – Hannele
    Nov 24 '11 at 22:56








2




2




Related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/1265/… That question is more specific than this, but its answers are relevant for this too.
– Jonik
Sep 4 '10 at 11:10




Related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/1265/… That question is more specific than this, but its answers are relevant for this too.
– Jonik
Sep 4 '10 at 11:10




3




3




For providing an example of a good, basic question: Thank you.
– Neil Fein
Sep 4 '10 at 15:05




For providing an example of a good, basic question: Thank you.
– Neil Fein
Sep 4 '10 at 15:05




2




2




@rem, you mention that you "watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from modern real life world". Don't discount the influence of entertainment on everyday language usage. ;)
– Chris Noe
Sep 4 '10 at 21:22






@rem, you mention that you "watch some films in English. So I listen to dialogs, which are probably not from modern real life world". Don't discount the influence of entertainment on everyday language usage. ;)
– Chris Noe
Sep 4 '10 at 21:22






6




6




An HR rep came to our office to give us the etiquette of email, and her response to this quesiton was to not reply with anything at all if someone sent an email saying "thank you", as it would create clutter in peoples' inboxes.
– OghmaOsiris
Jun 23 '11 at 15:08




An HR rep came to our office to give us the etiquette of email, and her response to this quesiton was to not reply with anything at all if someone sent an email saying "thank you", as it would create clutter in peoples' inboxes.
– OghmaOsiris
Jun 23 '11 at 15:08




7




7




As an aside, I think the reason 'Not at all' and 'Don't mention it' were suggested as responses is because they are closer to the literal meanings of those same responses in other languages (c.f. 'de nada' in Spanish, 'de rien' in French, perhaps most accurately translated as 'of nothing' in English). 'You're welcome' and 'no problem' are the most common responses I've heard in Canada, which are more awkward constructions in other languages when directly translated (although there is 'pas de problème' in French, and 'bitte' in German.).
– Hannele
Nov 24 '11 at 22:56




As an aside, I think the reason 'Not at all' and 'Don't mention it' were suggested as responses is because they are closer to the literal meanings of those same responses in other languages (c.f. 'de nada' in Spanish, 'de rien' in French, perhaps most accurately translated as 'of nothing' in English). 'You're welcome' and 'no problem' are the most common responses I've heard in Canada, which are more awkward constructions in other languages when directly translated (although there is 'pas de problème' in French, and 'bitte' in German.).
– Hannele
Nov 24 '11 at 22:56










19 Answers
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84














In common conversation in the US Midwest I rarely hear "Not at all" or "Don't mention it." "No problem" is very common, and "You're welcome" is also pretty well-used.



My personal usage:



I use "Not at all," "Don't mention it," and "No problem" when the activity I'm being thanked for was really no big deal. I use "My pleasure" when emphasizing that I'm happy to be of assistance (often in a customer service context), and "You're welcome" when the action prompting the thanks was a little bit of a bother. In essence I use different phrases to indicate how "thanks-worthy" the activity was.



That's probably not common usage, though.



EDIT



I think I misrepresented what I originally meant, so here's a little clarification.



If someone thanks me for something I always do (for instance I always cook dinner in our house) then I would say "No problem" or "My pleasure" depending on context. If I did a chore that was someone else's responsibility, I would say "You're welcome" even if I was happy to have done it, because it took an extra effort on my part, not because it was a "bother."






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  • 1




    I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
    – kiamlaluno
    Sep 4 '10 at 11:33








  • 3




    @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
    – ssakl
    Sep 4 '10 at 12:54










  • @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
    – kiamlaluno
    Sep 4 '10 at 13:02










  • @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
    – ssakl
    Sep 4 '10 at 13:20






  • 1




    @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
    – Roman
    Oct 27 '10 at 8:39



















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I don't think you'll have any issues with any of these replies in normal conversation, so I wouldn't let it concern you. There is a relatively new study that claims people who say things such as "no problem" in reply to "thank you," are essentially saying that the thanker's issue was somehow beneath the responder, but I doubt if anyone actually feels like that. It's all a big to-do about nothing, really.



If someone thanks you, just be sincere about it--show that you appreciate their acknowledgement of whatever it is that you have done for them in whatever fashion you find comfortable. Heck, use Spanish; say, "de nada."






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  • 9




    +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
    – Jonik
    Sep 4 '10 at 14:30










  • I sometimes say de rien (French).
    – imallett
    Feb 9 '15 at 3:59



















15















How native English speakers tend to
respond to "Thank you!" now? What I
should care about, when choosing from
the available options?




In a shop, if the assistant says "thank you", I usually say "thank you" back to them. Another thing is that quite a lot of the time it isn't necessary to reply to "thank you" with any particular "response" phrase. For example in a dialogue like this:




A: Here's your key.



B: Thank you.



A: See you next week.




there isn't really any need to say any set phrase after the "thank you". I think in normal English discourse we often don't reply to "thank you" in any special way. (I don't have any statistics about this, but that is my strong impression.)






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  • Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
    – kajaco
    Sep 4 '10 at 14:44






  • 8




    When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
    – Neil Fein
    Sep 4 '10 at 15:08






  • 5




    @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
    – delete
    Sep 4 '10 at 15:11






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    @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
    – Chan-Ho Suh
    Aug 18 '12 at 17:03






  • 1




    +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
    – Chan-Ho Suh
    Aug 18 '12 at 17:06



















15














"You're welcome" was taught to me in school (NW America) as polite, but "no problem" and "don't mention it" are common between friends. My tech support guy always texts " np" after I thank him for fixing my computer at work. It seems self-effacing and generous to me.






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    12














    When I first started travelling on business to the US (from Canada), I felt a little miffed that my "Thankyou"s were not being acknowledged. Not with "you're welcome", not with "happy to" or "no trouble at all" or even "no problem". Never mind a "thank YOU" response. Then I noticed that, almost all the time, there was a little "uh-huh". At first that irritated me more, and then I developed a mental translation between "uh-huh" and "you're welcome" and my business trips became less stressful.



    I don't think anyone will find you odd if you say "you're welcome" to each thankyou. Don't draw any conclusions about people (their mood, whether they are polite, whether they were raised well, their opinion of your gratitude for their act) by what they say to your thankyous. It varies wildly.






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    • you're very welcome!
      – Kate Gregory
      Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






    • 1




      "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
      – Kris
      Jan 4 '12 at 9:14








    • 2




      I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
      – Chan-Ho Suh
      Aug 18 '12 at 17:08








    • 3




      @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
      – Sam Lisi
      Sep 7 '12 at 10:44



















    9














    The best option is still "you're welcome", and Wiktionary defines it as:




    1907 (as reply to “thank you”).




    If you're not satisfied, there is the alternative of "My pleasure", which is my personal favourite.






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    • but if i reply only welcome, so
      – Pir Abdul
      Jun 23 '11 at 10:23










    • These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
      – Noldorin
      Jun 24 '11 at 1:27






    • 1




      No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
      – adolf garlic
      Feb 6 '13 at 9:46










    • What does etymology 1907 mean?
      – Pacerier
      Dec 23 '13 at 17:05



















    9














    The only one that is fairly standard is "You're welcome" the others, in my opinion, are just variants of the same sentiment. That is, it is customary to demur somewhat and make it as if the thing you are being thanked for wasn't worthy of the thanks. It's weird, but who knows where these things get started?






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      8














      Some other straightforward, professional (possibly terse) options not already mentioned:




      Certainly.




      Or,




      Of course.




      Or, already mentioned in longer form, but sometimes shortened to this:




      Happy to.




      I think that all of these might be more likely to be spoken than written, however.






      share|improve this answer

















      • 1




        In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
        – Chan-Ho Suh
        Aug 18 '12 at 17:14



















      8














      No worries is very common in Australia.






      share|improve this answer























      • I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
        – Mitch
        Sep 26 '18 at 13:30





















      6














      My most common response are "Certainly" and "My pleasure" but I sometimes use the less formal "De nada" (I grew up in an area with strong Hispanic roots...), "Sure", "No problem" and of course "You're welcome".



      Those you suggest are not in my production vocabulary, but I would find them perfectly acceptable.






      share|improve this answer





















      • “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
        – James Waldby - jwpat7
        Dec 27 '12 at 18:47



















      4














      This depends on your professional setting, but to keep reasonably friendly, often I will simply reply:




      No worries.




      Or,




      Any time.




      Or, both:




      No worries. Any time.







      share|improve this answer































        3














        "You're welcome" is the only correct response to "Thank you" in American English as far as I'm concerned. It grates on my nerves to have someone respond to me using "no problem".






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        • 3




          What's the problem with "no problem"?
          – b.roth
          Sep 4 '10 at 17:28






        • 6




          @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
          – Dennis Williamson
          Sep 4 '10 at 18:03






        • 8




          do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
          – nohat
          Sep 6 '10 at 18:48












        • @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
          – Dennis Williamson
          Sep 6 '10 at 21:27






        • 2




          The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
          – tchrist
          Apr 4 '12 at 17:50



















        3














        I was born in Britain the middle of the last century and learned to say. "Don't mention it." The American response "You're welcome" is now common in Britain and I sometimes use it. Since some acknowledgment seems appropriate I often say "OK". I have heard, "You bet" only from Americans however.






        share|improve this answer





























          2















          You're welcome!




          or




          Not a problem!




          These are probably your most common and casual replies.






          share|improve this answer































            2














            I have read that many in the UK find "You're welcome" grating, preferring the "Not at all" kind of response. I find "No problem" annoying, for reasons I can't quite verbalize.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 1




              Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
              – T.E.D.
              Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






            • 1




              It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
              – H Stephen Straight
              Jan 15 '13 at 20:42



















            2














            You can use




            You're welcome.




            or




            It was my pleasure.




            or




            It was nothing. I was happy to help.




            There are others, but these will suffice.






            share|improve this answer





















            • what about Most welcome?
              – Pir Abdul
              Jun 23 '11 at 10:42






            • 1




              @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
              – Kit Z. Fox
              Jun 23 '11 at 11:52



















            1















            You would do same for me.




            Lesson taught by Guy Kawasaki.






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            • 2




              Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
              – StoneyB
              Nov 18 '12 at 22:23






            • 1




              Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
              – Pacerier
              Aug 26 '15 at 11:04





















            1














            A lot of times in casual conversations, I've seen people, simply nod or smile in response to a 'Thank You'. I think that's also acceptable.






            share|improve this answer





























              0














              I was born in Britain in 1960 and grew up hearing "You're welcome", "Not at all", "Don't mention it" and "My pleasure". I certainly didn't think of "You're welcome" as an Americanism, rather as the most standard response to "Thank you".



              I have lived abroad since the early 1990s and, on a trip back to the UK this summer (2018), I was struck by all the shop assistants responding to "Thank you" with "No problem" or "No worries". I was taken aback, since I hadn't expected them (or me) to be worrying about anything. Presumably it has become standard in British English over the past decade and no longer sounds offhand (as it does to me). The compensation is that in Britain the shopkeepers still call their customers "Darling", "Love", "Pet", or other terms of endearment, so I get a warm feeling that way instead.





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                19 Answers
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                19 Answers
                19






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                In common conversation in the US Midwest I rarely hear "Not at all" or "Don't mention it." "No problem" is very common, and "You're welcome" is also pretty well-used.



                My personal usage:



                I use "Not at all," "Don't mention it," and "No problem" when the activity I'm being thanked for was really no big deal. I use "My pleasure" when emphasizing that I'm happy to be of assistance (often in a customer service context), and "You're welcome" when the action prompting the thanks was a little bit of a bother. In essence I use different phrases to indicate how "thanks-worthy" the activity was.



                That's probably not common usage, though.



                EDIT



                I think I misrepresented what I originally meant, so here's a little clarification.



                If someone thanks me for something I always do (for instance I always cook dinner in our house) then I would say "No problem" or "My pleasure" depending on context. If I did a chore that was someone else's responsibility, I would say "You're welcome" even if I was happy to have done it, because it took an extra effort on my part, not because it was a "bother."






                share|improve this answer



















                • 1




                  I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 11:33








                • 3




                  @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 12:54










                • @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:02










                • @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:20






                • 1




                  @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
                  – Roman
                  Oct 27 '10 at 8:39
















                84














                In common conversation in the US Midwest I rarely hear "Not at all" or "Don't mention it." "No problem" is very common, and "You're welcome" is also pretty well-used.



                My personal usage:



                I use "Not at all," "Don't mention it," and "No problem" when the activity I'm being thanked for was really no big deal. I use "My pleasure" when emphasizing that I'm happy to be of assistance (often in a customer service context), and "You're welcome" when the action prompting the thanks was a little bit of a bother. In essence I use different phrases to indicate how "thanks-worthy" the activity was.



                That's probably not common usage, though.



                EDIT



                I think I misrepresented what I originally meant, so here's a little clarification.



                If someone thanks me for something I always do (for instance I always cook dinner in our house) then I would say "No problem" or "My pleasure" depending on context. If I did a chore that was someone else's responsibility, I would say "You're welcome" even if I was happy to have done it, because it took an extra effort on my part, not because it was a "bother."






                share|improve this answer



















                • 1




                  I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 11:33








                • 3




                  @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 12:54










                • @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:02










                • @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:20






                • 1




                  @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
                  – Roman
                  Oct 27 '10 at 8:39














                84












                84








                84






                In common conversation in the US Midwest I rarely hear "Not at all" or "Don't mention it." "No problem" is very common, and "You're welcome" is also pretty well-used.



                My personal usage:



                I use "Not at all," "Don't mention it," and "No problem" when the activity I'm being thanked for was really no big deal. I use "My pleasure" when emphasizing that I'm happy to be of assistance (often in a customer service context), and "You're welcome" when the action prompting the thanks was a little bit of a bother. In essence I use different phrases to indicate how "thanks-worthy" the activity was.



                That's probably not common usage, though.



                EDIT



                I think I misrepresented what I originally meant, so here's a little clarification.



                If someone thanks me for something I always do (for instance I always cook dinner in our house) then I would say "No problem" or "My pleasure" depending on context. If I did a chore that was someone else's responsibility, I would say "You're welcome" even if I was happy to have done it, because it took an extra effort on my part, not because it was a "bother."






                share|improve this answer














                In common conversation in the US Midwest I rarely hear "Not at all" or "Don't mention it." "No problem" is very common, and "You're welcome" is also pretty well-used.



                My personal usage:



                I use "Not at all," "Don't mention it," and "No problem" when the activity I'm being thanked for was really no big deal. I use "My pleasure" when emphasizing that I'm happy to be of assistance (often in a customer service context), and "You're welcome" when the action prompting the thanks was a little bit of a bother. In essence I use different phrases to indicate how "thanks-worthy" the activity was.



                That's probably not common usage, though.



                EDIT



                I think I misrepresented what I originally meant, so here's a little clarification.



                If someone thanks me for something I always do (for instance I always cook dinner in our house) then I would say "No problem" or "My pleasure" depending on context. If I did a chore that was someone else's responsibility, I would say "You're welcome" even if I was happy to have done it, because it took an extra effort on my part, not because it was a "bother."







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Sep 5 '10 at 12:28

























                answered Sep 4 '10 at 10:07









                coricori

                3,07721520




                3,07721520








                • 1




                  I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 11:33








                • 3




                  @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 12:54










                • @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:02










                • @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:20






                • 1




                  @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
                  – Roman
                  Oct 27 '10 at 8:39














                • 1




                  I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 11:33








                • 3




                  @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 12:54










                • @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
                  – kiamlaluno
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:02










                • @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
                  – ssakl
                  Sep 4 '10 at 13:20






                • 1




                  @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
                  – Roman
                  Oct 27 '10 at 8:39








                1




                1




                I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
                – kiamlaluno
                Sep 4 '10 at 11:33






                I know a person living in United States of America, and in 10 years she always replied with you are welcome, but not because I was bothering her.
                – kiamlaluno
                Sep 4 '10 at 11:33






                3




                3




                @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
                – ssakl
                Sep 4 '10 at 12:54




                @kiamlaluno - While I cannot speak for everyone in the US, I will tend to use more formal language when speaking to non-native speakers of English. Perhaps the person you know does the same?
                – ssakl
                Sep 4 '10 at 12:54












                @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
                – kiamlaluno
                Sep 4 '10 at 13:02




                @ssakl: The point is that if she would use you are welcome to mean that I was bothering her, then she should have never said you are welcome. What I meant is that I agree with cori when he says that what he reported is not common usage.
                – kiamlaluno
                Sep 4 '10 at 13:02












                @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
                – ssakl
                Sep 4 '10 at 13:20




                @kiamlaluno - Thank you for the clarification. I misunderstood your original comment.
                – ssakl
                Sep 4 '10 at 13:20




                1




                1




                @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
                – Roman
                Oct 27 '10 at 8:39




                @Cori: +1 nice explanation, it was interesting to read it.
                – Roman
                Oct 27 '10 at 8:39













                19














                I don't think you'll have any issues with any of these replies in normal conversation, so I wouldn't let it concern you. There is a relatively new study that claims people who say things such as "no problem" in reply to "thank you," are essentially saying that the thanker's issue was somehow beneath the responder, but I doubt if anyone actually feels like that. It's all a big to-do about nothing, really.



                If someone thanks you, just be sincere about it--show that you appreciate their acknowledgement of whatever it is that you have done for them in whatever fashion you find comfortable. Heck, use Spanish; say, "de nada."






                share|improve this answer

















                • 9




                  +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
                  – Jonik
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:30










                • I sometimes say de rien (French).
                  – imallett
                  Feb 9 '15 at 3:59
















                19














                I don't think you'll have any issues with any of these replies in normal conversation, so I wouldn't let it concern you. There is a relatively new study that claims people who say things such as "no problem" in reply to "thank you," are essentially saying that the thanker's issue was somehow beneath the responder, but I doubt if anyone actually feels like that. It's all a big to-do about nothing, really.



                If someone thanks you, just be sincere about it--show that you appreciate their acknowledgement of whatever it is that you have done for them in whatever fashion you find comfortable. Heck, use Spanish; say, "de nada."






                share|improve this answer

















                • 9




                  +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
                  – Jonik
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:30










                • I sometimes say de rien (French).
                  – imallett
                  Feb 9 '15 at 3:59














                19












                19








                19






                I don't think you'll have any issues with any of these replies in normal conversation, so I wouldn't let it concern you. There is a relatively new study that claims people who say things such as "no problem" in reply to "thank you," are essentially saying that the thanker's issue was somehow beneath the responder, but I doubt if anyone actually feels like that. It's all a big to-do about nothing, really.



                If someone thanks you, just be sincere about it--show that you appreciate their acknowledgement of whatever it is that you have done for them in whatever fashion you find comfortable. Heck, use Spanish; say, "de nada."






                share|improve this answer












                I don't think you'll have any issues with any of these replies in normal conversation, so I wouldn't let it concern you. There is a relatively new study that claims people who say things such as "no problem" in reply to "thank you," are essentially saying that the thanker's issue was somehow beneath the responder, but I doubt if anyone actually feels like that. It's all a big to-do about nothing, really.



                If someone thanks you, just be sincere about it--show that you appreciate their acknowledgement of whatever it is that you have done for them in whatever fashion you find comfortable. Heck, use Spanish; say, "de nada."







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Sep 4 '10 at 14:21









                user1013user1013

                1812




                1812








                • 9




                  +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
                  – Jonik
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:30










                • I sometimes say de rien (French).
                  – imallett
                  Feb 9 '15 at 3:59














                • 9




                  +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
                  – Jonik
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:30










                • I sometimes say de rien (French).
                  – imallett
                  Feb 9 '15 at 3:59








                9




                9




                +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
                – Jonik
                Sep 4 '10 at 14:30




                +1 for being pragmatic. Sincerity and e.g. a smile will matter much more than what exact words you utter in such a situation.
                – Jonik
                Sep 4 '10 at 14:30












                I sometimes say de rien (French).
                – imallett
                Feb 9 '15 at 3:59




                I sometimes say de rien (French).
                – imallett
                Feb 9 '15 at 3:59











                15















                How native English speakers tend to
                respond to "Thank you!" now? What I
                should care about, when choosing from
                the available options?




                In a shop, if the assistant says "thank you", I usually say "thank you" back to them. Another thing is that quite a lot of the time it isn't necessary to reply to "thank you" with any particular "response" phrase. For example in a dialogue like this:




                A: Here's your key.



                B: Thank you.



                A: See you next week.




                there isn't really any need to say any set phrase after the "thank you". I think in normal English discourse we often don't reply to "thank you" in any special way. (I don't have any statistics about this, but that is my strong impression.)






                share|improve this answer























                • Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
                  – kajaco
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:44






                • 8




                  When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
                  – Neil Fein
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:08






                • 5




                  @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
                  – delete
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:11






                • 1




                  @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:03






                • 1




                  +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:06
















                15















                How native English speakers tend to
                respond to "Thank you!" now? What I
                should care about, when choosing from
                the available options?




                In a shop, if the assistant says "thank you", I usually say "thank you" back to them. Another thing is that quite a lot of the time it isn't necessary to reply to "thank you" with any particular "response" phrase. For example in a dialogue like this:




                A: Here's your key.



                B: Thank you.



                A: See you next week.




                there isn't really any need to say any set phrase after the "thank you". I think in normal English discourse we often don't reply to "thank you" in any special way. (I don't have any statistics about this, but that is my strong impression.)






                share|improve this answer























                • Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
                  – kajaco
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:44






                • 8




                  When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
                  – Neil Fein
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:08






                • 5




                  @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
                  – delete
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:11






                • 1




                  @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:03






                • 1




                  +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:06














                15












                15








                15







                How native English speakers tend to
                respond to "Thank you!" now? What I
                should care about, when choosing from
                the available options?




                In a shop, if the assistant says "thank you", I usually say "thank you" back to them. Another thing is that quite a lot of the time it isn't necessary to reply to "thank you" with any particular "response" phrase. For example in a dialogue like this:




                A: Here's your key.



                B: Thank you.



                A: See you next week.




                there isn't really any need to say any set phrase after the "thank you". I think in normal English discourse we often don't reply to "thank you" in any special way. (I don't have any statistics about this, but that is my strong impression.)






                share|improve this answer















                How native English speakers tend to
                respond to "Thank you!" now? What I
                should care about, when choosing from
                the available options?




                In a shop, if the assistant says "thank you", I usually say "thank you" back to them. Another thing is that quite a lot of the time it isn't necessary to reply to "thank you" with any particular "response" phrase. For example in a dialogue like this:




                A: Here's your key.



                B: Thank you.



                A: See you next week.




                there isn't really any need to say any set phrase after the "thank you". I think in normal English discourse we often don't reply to "thank you" in any special way. (I don't have any statistics about this, but that is my strong impression.)







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Sep 4 '10 at 14:52

























                answered Sep 4 '10 at 13:21







                delete



















                • Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
                  – kajaco
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:44






                • 8




                  When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
                  – Neil Fein
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:08






                • 5




                  @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
                  – delete
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:11






                • 1




                  @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:03






                • 1




                  +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:06


















                • Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
                  – kajaco
                  Sep 4 '10 at 14:44






                • 8




                  When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
                  – Neil Fein
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:08






                • 5




                  @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
                  – delete
                  Sep 4 '10 at 15:11






                • 1




                  @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:03






                • 1




                  +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:06
















                Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
                – kajaco
                Sep 4 '10 at 14:44




                Why is it unnecessary to reply to "thank you"? Not on a grammar level, but a manners level.
                – kajaco
                Sep 4 '10 at 14:44




                8




                8




                When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
                – Neil Fein
                Sep 4 '10 at 15:08




                When omitting a reply to "thank you", I've seen people smile instead of saying something, essentially responding non-verbally. Not responding in any way seems somewhat rude to me.
                – Neil Fein
                Sep 4 '10 at 15:08




                5




                5




                @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
                – delete
                Sep 4 '10 at 15:11




                @Neil Fein: not responding in any way to what someone else says is usually considered rude whether they have said "thank you" or anything else.
                – delete
                Sep 4 '10 at 15:11




                1




                1




                @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
                – Chan-Ho Suh
                Aug 18 '12 at 17:03




                @NeilFein I assume "See you next week" would be said with a smile in the example dialogue above.
                – Chan-Ho Suh
                Aug 18 '12 at 17:03




                1




                1




                +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
                – Chan-Ho Suh
                Aug 18 '12 at 17:06




                +1 for mentioning "thank you" as a possible response to "thank you" and also mentioning that sometimes you don't need to respond directly.
                – Chan-Ho Suh
                Aug 18 '12 at 17:06











                15














                "You're welcome" was taught to me in school (NW America) as polite, but "no problem" and "don't mention it" are common between friends. My tech support guy always texts " np" after I thank him for fixing my computer at work. It seems self-effacing and generous to me.






                share|improve this answer




























                  15














                  "You're welcome" was taught to me in school (NW America) as polite, but "no problem" and "don't mention it" are common between friends. My tech support guy always texts " np" after I thank him for fixing my computer at work. It seems self-effacing and generous to me.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    15












                    15








                    15






                    "You're welcome" was taught to me in school (NW America) as polite, but "no problem" and "don't mention it" are common between friends. My tech support guy always texts " np" after I thank him for fixing my computer at work. It seems self-effacing and generous to me.






                    share|improve this answer














                    "You're welcome" was taught to me in school (NW America) as polite, but "no problem" and "don't mention it" are common between friends. My tech support guy always texts " np" after I thank him for fixing my computer at work. It seems self-effacing and generous to me.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Dec 27 '12 at 18:41









                    James Waldby - jwpat7

                    62.3k1187182




                    62.3k1187182










                    answered Sep 6 '10 at 8:12









                    PicturepocketPicturepocket

                    1,55688




                    1,55688























                        12














                        When I first started travelling on business to the US (from Canada), I felt a little miffed that my "Thankyou"s were not being acknowledged. Not with "you're welcome", not with "happy to" or "no trouble at all" or even "no problem". Never mind a "thank YOU" response. Then I noticed that, almost all the time, there was a little "uh-huh". At first that irritated me more, and then I developed a mental translation between "uh-huh" and "you're welcome" and my business trips became less stressful.



                        I don't think anyone will find you odd if you say "you're welcome" to each thankyou. Don't draw any conclusions about people (their mood, whether they are polite, whether they were raised well, their opinion of your gratitude for their act) by what they say to your thankyous. It varies wildly.






                        share|improve this answer























                        • you're very welcome!
                          – Kate Gregory
                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                        • 1




                          "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
                          – Kris
                          Jan 4 '12 at 9:14








                        • 2




                          I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
                          – Chan-Ho Suh
                          Aug 18 '12 at 17:08








                        • 3




                          @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
                          – Sam Lisi
                          Sep 7 '12 at 10:44
















                        12














                        When I first started travelling on business to the US (from Canada), I felt a little miffed that my "Thankyou"s were not being acknowledged. Not with "you're welcome", not with "happy to" or "no trouble at all" or even "no problem". Never mind a "thank YOU" response. Then I noticed that, almost all the time, there was a little "uh-huh". At first that irritated me more, and then I developed a mental translation between "uh-huh" and "you're welcome" and my business trips became less stressful.



                        I don't think anyone will find you odd if you say "you're welcome" to each thankyou. Don't draw any conclusions about people (their mood, whether they are polite, whether they were raised well, their opinion of your gratitude for their act) by what they say to your thankyous. It varies wildly.






                        share|improve this answer























                        • you're very welcome!
                          – Kate Gregory
                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                        • 1




                          "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
                          – Kris
                          Jan 4 '12 at 9:14








                        • 2




                          I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
                          – Chan-Ho Suh
                          Aug 18 '12 at 17:08








                        • 3




                          @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
                          – Sam Lisi
                          Sep 7 '12 at 10:44














                        12












                        12








                        12






                        When I first started travelling on business to the US (from Canada), I felt a little miffed that my "Thankyou"s were not being acknowledged. Not with "you're welcome", not with "happy to" or "no trouble at all" or even "no problem". Never mind a "thank YOU" response. Then I noticed that, almost all the time, there was a little "uh-huh". At first that irritated me more, and then I developed a mental translation between "uh-huh" and "you're welcome" and my business trips became less stressful.



                        I don't think anyone will find you odd if you say "you're welcome" to each thankyou. Don't draw any conclusions about people (their mood, whether they are polite, whether they were raised well, their opinion of your gratitude for their act) by what they say to your thankyous. It varies wildly.






                        share|improve this answer














                        When I first started travelling on business to the US (from Canada), I felt a little miffed that my "Thankyou"s were not being acknowledged. Not with "you're welcome", not with "happy to" or "no trouble at all" or even "no problem". Never mind a "thank YOU" response. Then I noticed that, almost all the time, there was a little "uh-huh". At first that irritated me more, and then I developed a mental translation between "uh-huh" and "you're welcome" and my business trips became less stressful.



                        I don't think anyone will find you odd if you say "you're welcome" to each thankyou. Don't draw any conclusions about people (their mood, whether they are polite, whether they were raised well, their opinion of your gratitude for their act) by what they say to your thankyous. It varies wildly.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited Nov 24 '11 at 22:17

























                        answered Jun 3 '11 at 14:10









                        Kate GregoryKate Gregory

                        8,83122643




                        8,83122643












                        • you're very welcome!
                          – Kate Gregory
                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                        • 1




                          "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
                          – Kris
                          Jan 4 '12 at 9:14








                        • 2




                          I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
                          – Chan-Ho Suh
                          Aug 18 '12 at 17:08








                        • 3




                          @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
                          – Sam Lisi
                          Sep 7 '12 at 10:44


















                        • you're very welcome!
                          – Kate Gregory
                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                        • 1




                          "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
                          – Kris
                          Jan 4 '12 at 9:14








                        • 2




                          I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
                          – Chan-Ho Suh
                          Aug 18 '12 at 17:08








                        • 3




                          @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
                          – Sam Lisi
                          Sep 7 '12 at 10:44
















                        you're very welcome!
                        – Kate Gregory
                        Jun 3 '11 at 14:45




                        you're very welcome!
                        – Kate Gregory
                        Jun 3 '11 at 14:45




                        1




                        1




                        "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
                        – Kris
                        Jan 4 '12 at 9:14






                        "uh-huh" esp. Am. syn. "you're welcome" [c.2011] :)
                        – Kris
                        Jan 4 '12 at 9:14






                        2




                        2




                        I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
                        – Chan-Ho Suh
                        Aug 18 '12 at 17:08






                        I have a suspicion you are saying "thank you" too profusely (as compared to Americans). If you thank Americans in situations where they aren't necessarily expecting thanks, you will get an "uh-huh". Such situations include holding doors open.
                        – Chan-Ho Suh
                        Aug 18 '12 at 17:08






                        3




                        3




                        @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
                        – Sam Lisi
                        Sep 7 '12 at 10:44




                        @Chan-HoSuh: I don't think you can claim there is an American standard of how frequently to say "thank you". In my experience, it varies as dramatically by region as it does across the Canada-US border.
                        – Sam Lisi
                        Sep 7 '12 at 10:44











                        9














                        The best option is still "you're welcome", and Wiktionary defines it as:




                        1907 (as reply to “thank you”).




                        If you're not satisfied, there is the alternative of "My pleasure", which is my personal favourite.






                        share|improve this answer























                        • but if i reply only welcome, so
                          – Pir Abdul
                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:23










                        • These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
                          – Noldorin
                          Jun 24 '11 at 1:27






                        • 1




                          No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
                          – adolf garlic
                          Feb 6 '13 at 9:46










                        • What does etymology 1907 mean?
                          – Pacerier
                          Dec 23 '13 at 17:05
















                        9














                        The best option is still "you're welcome", and Wiktionary defines it as:




                        1907 (as reply to “thank you”).




                        If you're not satisfied, there is the alternative of "My pleasure", which is my personal favourite.






                        share|improve this answer























                        • but if i reply only welcome, so
                          – Pir Abdul
                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:23










                        • These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
                          – Noldorin
                          Jun 24 '11 at 1:27






                        • 1




                          No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
                          – adolf garlic
                          Feb 6 '13 at 9:46










                        • What does etymology 1907 mean?
                          – Pacerier
                          Dec 23 '13 at 17:05














                        9












                        9








                        9






                        The best option is still "you're welcome", and Wiktionary defines it as:




                        1907 (as reply to “thank you”).




                        If you're not satisfied, there is the alternative of "My pleasure", which is my personal favourite.






                        share|improve this answer














                        The best option is still "you're welcome", and Wiktionary defines it as:




                        1907 (as reply to “thank you”).




                        If you're not satisfied, there is the alternative of "My pleasure", which is my personal favourite.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited Jun 23 '11 at 11:29

























                        answered Jun 23 '11 at 10:19









                        ThursagenThursagen

                        35.1k38144214




                        35.1k38144214












                        • but if i reply only welcome, so
                          – Pir Abdul
                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:23










                        • These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
                          – Noldorin
                          Jun 24 '11 at 1:27






                        • 1




                          No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
                          – adolf garlic
                          Feb 6 '13 at 9:46










                        • What does etymology 1907 mean?
                          – Pacerier
                          Dec 23 '13 at 17:05


















                        • but if i reply only welcome, so
                          – Pir Abdul
                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:23










                        • These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
                          – Noldorin
                          Jun 24 '11 at 1:27






                        • 1




                          No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
                          – adolf garlic
                          Feb 6 '13 at 9:46










                        • What does etymology 1907 mean?
                          – Pacerier
                          Dec 23 '13 at 17:05
















                        but if i reply only welcome, so
                        – Pir Abdul
                        Jun 23 '11 at 10:23




                        but if i reply only welcome, so
                        – Pir Abdul
                        Jun 23 '11 at 10:23












                        These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
                        – Noldorin
                        Jun 24 '11 at 1:27




                        These are only the most formal replies though. ("You're welcome" can work for formal and informal situations.) In British English, I very commonly use "No prob(lem)" or "No worries". If you're trying to be particularly self-effacing, "It was nothing" can also work.
                        – Noldorin
                        Jun 24 '11 at 1:27




                        1




                        1




                        No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
                        – adolf garlic
                        Feb 6 '13 at 9:46




                        No one in the UK says "you're welcome" unless they're trying to annoy everyone by sounding american
                        – adolf garlic
                        Feb 6 '13 at 9:46












                        What does etymology 1907 mean?
                        – Pacerier
                        Dec 23 '13 at 17:05




                        What does etymology 1907 mean?
                        – Pacerier
                        Dec 23 '13 at 17:05











                        9














                        The only one that is fairly standard is "You're welcome" the others, in my opinion, are just variants of the same sentiment. That is, it is customary to demur somewhat and make it as if the thing you are being thanked for wasn't worthy of the thanks. It's weird, but who knows where these things get started?






                        share|improve this answer




























                          9














                          The only one that is fairly standard is "You're welcome" the others, in my opinion, are just variants of the same sentiment. That is, it is customary to demur somewhat and make it as if the thing you are being thanked for wasn't worthy of the thanks. It's weird, but who knows where these things get started?






                          share|improve this answer


























                            9












                            9








                            9






                            The only one that is fairly standard is "You're welcome" the others, in my opinion, are just variants of the same sentiment. That is, it is customary to demur somewhat and make it as if the thing you are being thanked for wasn't worthy of the thanks. It's weird, but who knows where these things get started?






                            share|improve this answer














                            The only one that is fairly standard is "You're welcome" the others, in my opinion, are just variants of the same sentiment. That is, it is customary to demur somewhat and make it as if the thing you are being thanked for wasn't worthy of the thanks. It's weird, but who knows where these things get started?







                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited Dec 27 '12 at 18:44









                            James Waldby - jwpat7

                            62.3k1187182




                            62.3k1187182










                            answered Sep 4 '10 at 18:17









                            JohnFxJohnFx

                            4,29183740




                            4,29183740























                                8














                                Some other straightforward, professional (possibly terse) options not already mentioned:




                                Certainly.




                                Or,




                                Of course.




                                Or, already mentioned in longer form, but sometimes shortened to this:




                                Happy to.




                                I think that all of these might be more likely to be spoken than written, however.






                                share|improve this answer

















                                • 1




                                  In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
                                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:14
















                                8














                                Some other straightforward, professional (possibly terse) options not already mentioned:




                                Certainly.




                                Or,




                                Of course.




                                Or, already mentioned in longer form, but sometimes shortened to this:




                                Happy to.




                                I think that all of these might be more likely to be spoken than written, however.






                                share|improve this answer

















                                • 1




                                  In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
                                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:14














                                8












                                8








                                8






                                Some other straightforward, professional (possibly terse) options not already mentioned:




                                Certainly.




                                Or,




                                Of course.




                                Or, already mentioned in longer form, but sometimes shortened to this:




                                Happy to.




                                I think that all of these might be more likely to be spoken than written, however.






                                share|improve this answer












                                Some other straightforward, professional (possibly terse) options not already mentioned:




                                Certainly.




                                Or,




                                Of course.




                                Or, already mentioned in longer form, but sometimes shortened to this:




                                Happy to.




                                I think that all of these might be more likely to be spoken than written, however.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Jun 23 '11 at 22:57









                                NicoleNicole

                                1,23941728




                                1,23941728








                                • 1




                                  In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
                                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:14














                                • 1




                                  In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
                                  – Chan-Ho Suh
                                  Aug 18 '12 at 17:14








                                1




                                1




                                In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
                                – Chan-Ho Suh
                                Aug 18 '12 at 17:14




                                In that vein, "sure" or "sure thing".
                                – Chan-Ho Suh
                                Aug 18 '12 at 17:14











                                8














                                No worries is very common in Australia.






                                share|improve this answer























                                • I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
                                  – Mitch
                                  Sep 26 '18 at 13:30


















                                8














                                No worries is very common in Australia.






                                share|improve this answer























                                • I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
                                  – Mitch
                                  Sep 26 '18 at 13:30
















                                8












                                8








                                8






                                No worries is very common in Australia.






                                share|improve this answer














                                No worries is very common in Australia.







                                share|improve this answer














                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer








                                edited Jan 4 '12 at 6:37







                                user11550

















                                answered Jun 3 '11 at 23:10









                                CesarGonCesarGon

                                3,22511728




                                3,22511728












                                • I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
                                  – Mitch
                                  Sep 26 '18 at 13:30




















                                • I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
                                  – Mitch
                                  Sep 26 '18 at 13:30


















                                I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
                                – Mitch
                                Sep 26 '18 at 13:30






                                I first heard this, sounding so exotic, from Brits in the early aughts (2000's). But now I hear Americans using it a lot (I live in the US and speak AmE). I might use 'no worries' but it feels a little newish to say it; I'm having a hard time articulating exactly when it is appropriate beyond 'informal'. Maybe just an alternative to 'no problem'.
                                – Mitch
                                Sep 26 '18 at 13:30













                                6














                                My most common response are "Certainly" and "My pleasure" but I sometimes use the less formal "De nada" (I grew up in an area with strong Hispanic roots...), "Sure", "No problem" and of course "You're welcome".



                                Those you suggest are not in my production vocabulary, but I would find them perfectly acceptable.






                                share|improve this answer





















                                • “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
                                  – James Waldby - jwpat7
                                  Dec 27 '12 at 18:47
















                                6














                                My most common response are "Certainly" and "My pleasure" but I sometimes use the less formal "De nada" (I grew up in an area with strong Hispanic roots...), "Sure", "No problem" and of course "You're welcome".



                                Those you suggest are not in my production vocabulary, but I would find them perfectly acceptable.






                                share|improve this answer





















                                • “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
                                  – James Waldby - jwpat7
                                  Dec 27 '12 at 18:47














                                6












                                6








                                6






                                My most common response are "Certainly" and "My pleasure" but I sometimes use the less formal "De nada" (I grew up in an area with strong Hispanic roots...), "Sure", "No problem" and of course "You're welcome".



                                Those you suggest are not in my production vocabulary, but I would find them perfectly acceptable.






                                share|improve this answer












                                My most common response are "Certainly" and "My pleasure" but I sometimes use the less formal "De nada" (I grew up in an area with strong Hispanic roots...), "Sure", "No problem" and of course "You're welcome".



                                Those you suggest are not in my production vocabulary, but I would find them perfectly acceptable.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Jan 2 '11 at 1:23









                                dmckeedmckee

                                1,7801415




                                1,7801415












                                • “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
                                  – James Waldby - jwpat7
                                  Dec 27 '12 at 18:47


















                                • “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
                                  – James Waldby - jwpat7
                                  Dec 27 '12 at 18:47
















                                “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
                                – James Waldby - jwpat7
                                Dec 27 '12 at 18:47




                                “My privilege” strikes me as more elegant than “My pleasure”.
                                – James Waldby - jwpat7
                                Dec 27 '12 at 18:47











                                4














                                This depends on your professional setting, but to keep reasonably friendly, often I will simply reply:




                                No worries.




                                Or,




                                Any time.




                                Or, both:




                                No worries. Any time.







                                share|improve this answer




























                                  4














                                  This depends on your professional setting, but to keep reasonably friendly, often I will simply reply:




                                  No worries.




                                  Or,




                                  Any time.




                                  Or, both:




                                  No worries. Any time.







                                  share|improve this answer


























                                    4












                                    4








                                    4






                                    This depends on your professional setting, but to keep reasonably friendly, often I will simply reply:




                                    No worries.




                                    Or,




                                    Any time.




                                    Or, both:




                                    No worries. Any time.







                                    share|improve this answer














                                    This depends on your professional setting, but to keep reasonably friendly, often I will simply reply:




                                    No worries.




                                    Or,




                                    Any time.




                                    Or, both:




                                    No worries. Any time.








                                    share|improve this answer














                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer








                                    edited Jun 23 '11 at 11:53









                                    Kit Z. Fox

                                    23.4k1993180




                                    23.4k1993180










                                    answered Jun 23 '11 at 10:44









                                    Grant ThomasGrant Thomas

                                    4,46211336




                                    4,46211336























                                        3














                                        "You're welcome" is the only correct response to "Thank you" in American English as far as I'm concerned. It grates on my nerves to have someone respond to me using "no problem".






                                        share|improve this answer

















                                        • 3




                                          What's the problem with "no problem"?
                                          – b.roth
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 17:28






                                        • 6




                                          @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 18:03






                                        • 8




                                          do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
                                          – nohat
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 18:48












                                        • @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 21:27






                                        • 2




                                          The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
                                          – tchrist
                                          Apr 4 '12 at 17:50
















                                        3














                                        "You're welcome" is the only correct response to "Thank you" in American English as far as I'm concerned. It grates on my nerves to have someone respond to me using "no problem".






                                        share|improve this answer

















                                        • 3




                                          What's the problem with "no problem"?
                                          – b.roth
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 17:28






                                        • 6




                                          @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 18:03






                                        • 8




                                          do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
                                          – nohat
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 18:48












                                        • @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 21:27






                                        • 2




                                          The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
                                          – tchrist
                                          Apr 4 '12 at 17:50














                                        3












                                        3








                                        3






                                        "You're welcome" is the only correct response to "Thank you" in American English as far as I'm concerned. It grates on my nerves to have someone respond to me using "no problem".






                                        share|improve this answer












                                        "You're welcome" is the only correct response to "Thank you" in American English as far as I'm concerned. It grates on my nerves to have someone respond to me using "no problem".







                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered Sep 4 '10 at 16:10









                                        Dennis WilliamsonDennis Williamson

                                        1,55871831




                                        1,55871831








                                        • 3




                                          What's the problem with "no problem"?
                                          – b.roth
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 17:28






                                        • 6




                                          @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 18:03






                                        • 8




                                          do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
                                          – nohat
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 18:48












                                        • @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 21:27






                                        • 2




                                          The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
                                          – tchrist
                                          Apr 4 '12 at 17:50














                                        • 3




                                          What's the problem with "no problem"?
                                          – b.roth
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 17:28






                                        • 6




                                          @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 4 '10 at 18:03






                                        • 8




                                          do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
                                          – nohat
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 18:48












                                        • @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
                                          – Dennis Williamson
                                          Sep 6 '10 at 21:27






                                        • 2




                                          The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
                                          – tchrist
                                          Apr 4 '12 at 17:50








                                        3




                                        3




                                        What's the problem with "no problem"?
                                        – b.roth
                                        Sep 4 '10 at 17:28




                                        What's the problem with "no problem"?
                                        – b.roth
                                        Sep 4 '10 at 17:28




                                        6




                                        6




                                        @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
                                        – Dennis Williamson
                                        Sep 4 '10 at 18:03




                                        @Bruno: I perceive it as dismissive and diminishing. When I say "thank you" it's sincere. To me "you're welcome" carries a matching sincerity. If I thought something someone did was "no problem" I might not even say "thank you".
                                        – Dennis Williamson
                                        Sep 4 '10 at 18:03




                                        8




                                        8




                                        do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
                                        – nohat
                                        Sep 6 '10 at 18:48






                                        do you always take the idioms of conversational formality at their literal meaning?
                                        – nohat
                                        Sep 6 '10 at 18:48














                                        @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
                                        – Dennis Williamson
                                        Sep 6 '10 at 21:27




                                        @nohat: no, but that doesn't mean that they don't carry some literal meaning.
                                        – Dennis Williamson
                                        Sep 6 '10 at 21:27




                                        2




                                        2




                                        The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
                                        – tchrist
                                        Apr 4 '12 at 17:50




                                        The most annoying possible response to "thank you" is of course yet another "thank you". It demands its own response, descending into infinite recursion. It’s annoying and stupid, but not intentionally rude.
                                        – tchrist
                                        Apr 4 '12 at 17:50











                                        3














                                        I was born in Britain the middle of the last century and learned to say. "Don't mention it." The American response "You're welcome" is now common in Britain and I sometimes use it. Since some acknowledgment seems appropriate I often say "OK". I have heard, "You bet" only from Americans however.






                                        share|improve this answer


























                                          3














                                          I was born in Britain the middle of the last century and learned to say. "Don't mention it." The American response "You're welcome" is now common in Britain and I sometimes use it. Since some acknowledgment seems appropriate I often say "OK". I have heard, "You bet" only from Americans however.






                                          share|improve this answer
























                                            3












                                            3








                                            3






                                            I was born in Britain the middle of the last century and learned to say. "Don't mention it." The American response "You're welcome" is now common in Britain and I sometimes use it. Since some acknowledgment seems appropriate I often say "OK". I have heard, "You bet" only from Americans however.






                                            share|improve this answer












                                            I was born in Britain the middle of the last century and learned to say. "Don't mention it." The American response "You're welcome" is now common in Britain and I sometimes use it. Since some acknowledgment seems appropriate I often say "OK". I have heard, "You bet" only from Americans however.







                                            share|improve this answer












                                            share|improve this answer



                                            share|improve this answer










                                            answered Sep 26 '18 at 11:51









                                            Aled CymroAled Cymro

                                            1895




                                            1895























                                                2















                                                You're welcome!




                                                or




                                                Not a problem!




                                                These are probably your most common and casual replies.






                                                share|improve this answer




























                                                  2















                                                  You're welcome!




                                                  or




                                                  Not a problem!




                                                  These are probably your most common and casual replies.






                                                  share|improve this answer


























                                                    2












                                                    2








                                                    2







                                                    You're welcome!




                                                    or




                                                    Not a problem!




                                                    These are probably your most common and casual replies.






                                                    share|improve this answer















                                                    You're welcome!




                                                    or




                                                    Not a problem!




                                                    These are probably your most common and casual replies.







                                                    share|improve this answer














                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    edited Sep 4 '10 at 20:20

























                                                    answered Sep 4 '10 at 16:07









                                                    Joe PhillipsJoe Phillips

                                                    4122713




                                                    4122713























                                                        2














                                                        I have read that many in the UK find "You're welcome" grating, preferring the "Not at all" kind of response. I find "No problem" annoying, for reasons I can't quite verbalize.






                                                        share|improve this answer

















                                                        • 1




                                                          Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
                                                          – T.E.D.
                                                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                                                        • 1




                                                          It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
                                                          – H Stephen Straight
                                                          Jan 15 '13 at 20:42
















                                                        2














                                                        I have read that many in the UK find "You're welcome" grating, preferring the "Not at all" kind of response. I find "No problem" annoying, for reasons I can't quite verbalize.






                                                        share|improve this answer

















                                                        • 1




                                                          Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
                                                          – T.E.D.
                                                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                                                        • 1




                                                          It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
                                                          – H Stephen Straight
                                                          Jan 15 '13 at 20:42














                                                        2












                                                        2








                                                        2






                                                        I have read that many in the UK find "You're welcome" grating, preferring the "Not at all" kind of response. I find "No problem" annoying, for reasons I can't quite verbalize.






                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        I have read that many in the UK find "You're welcome" grating, preferring the "Not at all" kind of response. I find "No problem" annoying, for reasons I can't quite verbalize.







                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                        answered Sep 18 '10 at 6:21









                                                        moiocimoioci

                                                        4,27411414




                                                        4,27411414








                                                        • 1




                                                          Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
                                                          – T.E.D.
                                                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                                                        • 1




                                                          It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
                                                          – H Stephen Straight
                                                          Jan 15 '13 at 20:42














                                                        • 1




                                                          Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
                                                          – T.E.D.
                                                          Jun 3 '11 at 14:45






                                                        • 1




                                                          It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
                                                          – H Stephen Straight
                                                          Jan 15 '13 at 20:42








                                                        1




                                                        1




                                                        Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
                                                        – T.E.D.
                                                        Jun 3 '11 at 14:45




                                                        Same here with "no problem". I think the reason is that it implies that there was perhaps actually a problem there. If what I'm saying "thank you" for should in no way shape or form have actually been a problem for them (eg: Doing their job competently), then it just seems rude to get a "no problem". OTOH: If it was actually indisputably a problem for them (eg: "Thank you for doing the Heimlich on me. I almost died."), then a "no problem" would be an appropriate and thoughtful thing to say.
                                                        – T.E.D.
                                                        Jun 3 '11 at 14:45




                                                        1




                                                        1




                                                        It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
                                                        – H Stephen Straight
                                                        Jan 15 '13 at 20:42




                                                        It's interesting and ironic that "no problem" strikes many, including me, as dismissive, because "don't mention it" or "not at all" (as well as French "pas de quoi" and Spanish "de nada") don't seem to strike anyone that way, even though they are, in literal terms, no less dismissive.
                                                        – H Stephen Straight
                                                        Jan 15 '13 at 20:42











                                                        2














                                                        You can use




                                                        You're welcome.




                                                        or




                                                        It was my pleasure.




                                                        or




                                                        It was nothing. I was happy to help.




                                                        There are others, but these will suffice.






                                                        share|improve this answer





















                                                        • what about Most welcome?
                                                          – Pir Abdul
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:42






                                                        • 1




                                                          @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
                                                          – Kit Z. Fox
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 11:52
















                                                        2














                                                        You can use




                                                        You're welcome.




                                                        or




                                                        It was my pleasure.




                                                        or




                                                        It was nothing. I was happy to help.




                                                        There are others, but these will suffice.






                                                        share|improve this answer





















                                                        • what about Most welcome?
                                                          – Pir Abdul
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:42






                                                        • 1




                                                          @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
                                                          – Kit Z. Fox
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 11:52














                                                        2












                                                        2








                                                        2






                                                        You can use




                                                        You're welcome.




                                                        or




                                                        It was my pleasure.




                                                        or




                                                        It was nothing. I was happy to help.




                                                        There are others, but these will suffice.






                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        You can use




                                                        You're welcome.




                                                        or




                                                        It was my pleasure.




                                                        or




                                                        It was nothing. I was happy to help.




                                                        There are others, but these will suffice.







                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                        answered Jun 23 '11 at 10:17









                                                        RobustoRobusto

                                                        128k28303514




                                                        128k28303514












                                                        • what about Most welcome?
                                                          – Pir Abdul
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:42






                                                        • 1




                                                          @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
                                                          – Kit Z. Fox
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 11:52


















                                                        • what about Most welcome?
                                                          – Pir Abdul
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 10:42






                                                        • 1




                                                          @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
                                                          – Kit Z. Fox
                                                          Jun 23 '11 at 11:52
















                                                        what about Most welcome?
                                                        – Pir Abdul
                                                        Jun 23 '11 at 10:42




                                                        what about Most welcome?
                                                        – Pir Abdul
                                                        Jun 23 '11 at 10:42




                                                        1




                                                        1




                                                        @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
                                                        – Kit Z. Fox
                                                        Jun 23 '11 at 11:52




                                                        @abdul You could use "You are most welcome." It has a warm yet slightly formal feel. Most welcome as a stand alone would sound a little odd, since it is not used much. And "You're most welcome" sounds a little strange too, probably because there is a slight emphasis on most that is difficult with a preceding contraction.
                                                        – Kit Z. Fox
                                                        Jun 23 '11 at 11:52











                                                        1















                                                        You would do same for me.




                                                        Lesson taught by Guy Kawasaki.






                                                        share|improve this answer



















                                                        • 2




                                                          Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
                                                          – StoneyB
                                                          Nov 18 '12 at 22:23






                                                        • 1




                                                          Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
                                                          – Pacerier
                                                          Aug 26 '15 at 11:04


















                                                        1















                                                        You would do same for me.




                                                        Lesson taught by Guy Kawasaki.






                                                        share|improve this answer



















                                                        • 2




                                                          Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
                                                          – StoneyB
                                                          Nov 18 '12 at 22:23






                                                        • 1




                                                          Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
                                                          – Pacerier
                                                          Aug 26 '15 at 11:04
















                                                        1












                                                        1








                                                        1







                                                        You would do same for me.




                                                        Lesson taught by Guy Kawasaki.






                                                        share|improve this answer















                                                        You would do same for me.




                                                        Lesson taught by Guy Kawasaki.







                                                        share|improve this answer














                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                        edited Aug 22 '12 at 8:57









                                                        RegDwigнt

                                                        82.8k31281377




                                                        82.8k31281377










                                                        answered Jun 23 '11 at 23:09









                                                        Stefan from KrakowStefan from Krakow

                                                        271




                                                        271








                                                        • 2




                                                          Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
                                                          – StoneyB
                                                          Nov 18 '12 at 22:23






                                                        • 1




                                                          Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
                                                          – Pacerier
                                                          Aug 26 '15 at 11:04
















                                                        • 2




                                                          Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
                                                          – StoneyB
                                                          Nov 18 '12 at 22:23






                                                        • 1




                                                          Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
                                                          – Pacerier
                                                          Aug 26 '15 at 11:04










                                                        2




                                                        2




                                                        Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
                                                        – StoneyB
                                                        Nov 18 '12 at 22:23




                                                        Who was Guy Kawasaki? And what authority should be given his answer?
                                                        – StoneyB
                                                        Nov 18 '12 at 22:23




                                                        1




                                                        1




                                                        Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
                                                        – Pacerier
                                                        Aug 26 '15 at 11:04






                                                        Context: Why you shouldn't say you're welcome.......
                                                        – Pacerier
                                                        Aug 26 '15 at 11:04













                                                        1














                                                        A lot of times in casual conversations, I've seen people, simply nod or smile in response to a 'Thank You'. I think that's also acceptable.






                                                        share|improve this answer


























                                                          1














                                                          A lot of times in casual conversations, I've seen people, simply nod or smile in response to a 'Thank You'. I think that's also acceptable.






                                                          share|improve this answer
























                                                            1












                                                            1








                                                            1






                                                            A lot of times in casual conversations, I've seen people, simply nod or smile in response to a 'Thank You'. I think that's also acceptable.






                                                            share|improve this answer












                                                            A lot of times in casual conversations, I've seen people, simply nod or smile in response to a 'Thank You'. I think that's also acceptable.







                                                            share|improve this answer












                                                            share|improve this answer



                                                            share|improve this answer










                                                            answered Feb 28 '18 at 7:30









                                                            AnkitAnkit

                                                            3322510




                                                            3322510























                                                                0














                                                                I was born in Britain in 1960 and grew up hearing "You're welcome", "Not at all", "Don't mention it" and "My pleasure". I certainly didn't think of "You're welcome" as an Americanism, rather as the most standard response to "Thank you".



                                                                I have lived abroad since the early 1990s and, on a trip back to the UK this summer (2018), I was struck by all the shop assistants responding to "Thank you" with "No problem" or "No worries". I was taken aback, since I hadn't expected them (or me) to be worrying about anything. Presumably it has become standard in British English over the past decade and no longer sounds offhand (as it does to me). The compensation is that in Britain the shopkeepers still call their customers "Darling", "Love", "Pet", or other terms of endearment, so I get a warm feeling that way instead.





                                                                share


























                                                                  0














                                                                  I was born in Britain in 1960 and grew up hearing "You're welcome", "Not at all", "Don't mention it" and "My pleasure". I certainly didn't think of "You're welcome" as an Americanism, rather as the most standard response to "Thank you".



                                                                  I have lived abroad since the early 1990s and, on a trip back to the UK this summer (2018), I was struck by all the shop assistants responding to "Thank you" with "No problem" or "No worries". I was taken aback, since I hadn't expected them (or me) to be worrying about anything. Presumably it has become standard in British English over the past decade and no longer sounds offhand (as it does to me). The compensation is that in Britain the shopkeepers still call their customers "Darling", "Love", "Pet", or other terms of endearment, so I get a warm feeling that way instead.





                                                                  share
























                                                                    0












                                                                    0








                                                                    0






                                                                    I was born in Britain in 1960 and grew up hearing "You're welcome", "Not at all", "Don't mention it" and "My pleasure". I certainly didn't think of "You're welcome" as an Americanism, rather as the most standard response to "Thank you".



                                                                    I have lived abroad since the early 1990s and, on a trip back to the UK this summer (2018), I was struck by all the shop assistants responding to "Thank you" with "No problem" or "No worries". I was taken aback, since I hadn't expected them (or me) to be worrying about anything. Presumably it has become standard in British English over the past decade and no longer sounds offhand (as it does to me). The compensation is that in Britain the shopkeepers still call their customers "Darling", "Love", "Pet", or other terms of endearment, so I get a warm feeling that way instead.





                                                                    share












                                                                    I was born in Britain in 1960 and grew up hearing "You're welcome", "Not at all", "Don't mention it" and "My pleasure". I certainly didn't think of "You're welcome" as an Americanism, rather as the most standard response to "Thank you".



                                                                    I have lived abroad since the early 1990s and, on a trip back to the UK this summer (2018), I was struck by all the shop assistants responding to "Thank you" with "No problem" or "No worries". I was taken aback, since I hadn't expected them (or me) to be worrying about anything. Presumably it has become standard in British English over the past decade and no longer sounds offhand (as it does to me). The compensation is that in Britain the shopkeepers still call their customers "Darling", "Love", "Pet", or other terms of endearment, so I get a warm feeling that way instead.






                                                                    share











                                                                    share


                                                                    share










                                                                    answered 8 mins ago









                                                                    Cat812Cat812

                                                                    10913




                                                                    10913

















                                                                        protected by RegDwigнt Jun 3 '11 at 9:08



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