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Published: March 11 2012

Buzz Fleischman - Columnist Page The U.S. Advisory Council on the use of Popular Expressions in America (ACPEA) has issued a statement that ‘No problem,’ a phrase that has become to some an annoying, meaningless way to somehow communicate, will be phased out of the lexicon. It has become the most important axiom, second only to ‘Have a good day,’ which has truly outlived its usefulness.

Out of the black hole of phrases that don’t mean anything comes one that has taken us to a tipping point of use/abuse.

‘No’ and ‘Problem’ are the two worst words to utter when in customer service. When you put them together they make no sense at all, as when you say ‘Thank you’ and they say ’No Problem!’ Was there ever a problem? No!

How did this bit of verbal vernacular worm its way into our speech patterns? Kristen Richardson of the New York Observer says it is a “benign expression run terribly amok.” The top rated hotelier, Ritz-Carlton, trains their Customer Service employees to say, "My pleasure" instead of "No Problem."

Traditionally, we’ve responded with phrases such as ‘you're welcome’ or ‘my pleasure’ when thanked for a service. It reflects humility on the part of the person being thanked.

The person offering thanks is grateful for the service performed and a gracious "you're welcome" acknowledges the gratitude.

By saying ‘No Problem,’ the recipient of the gratitude is actually saying "this act or service did not inconvenience me in any way” as in when you ask the waiter “May I have a glass of water?”

Lately when I have been on the receiving end of this idiom, I casually mention: “Did you get the memo on ‘No problem?’  It’s confusing a lot of people and we’re going back to ‘You’re welcome.’

Throughout the history of language some phrases catch the public awareness and are thrust into the forefront of discourse between people

‘23 Skidoo,’ ‘Oh, you Kid,’ and ‘To coin a phrase’ have ‘Jumped the Shark’ and outlived their usefulness. Let’s hope ‘No Problem’ is one of them. If you don’t agree, ‘Talk to the Hand,’ ‘Keep your chin up’ and ‘Play it by ear.’

Next time, when you call a customer service line, we’ll talk about the merits of the phrase ‘Your call is important to us’ while you wait…..and wait…..and wait!

With all due respect, whatever!

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