Although there are many weightier issues, I am tackling the habit of many people to give an alternative answer to “Thank you.”
The proper response is, “You’re welcome,” not, “No problem.” Of course it isn’t a problem. I am the customer-guest-interviewee and you are the cashier-server-interviewer. The only “problem” is pleasing the customer, and when I say “Thank you,” it means I am. You’re welcome.
Not, “No worries.” The moment you say that, I begin worrying about your patchy education. I have many more important worries, but I resist saying something Nicholson-esque, like “You can’t handle my worries.”
Not “No, thank you.” This is just silly. People being interviewed could just say, “You’re welcome,” saving valuable time for another important question, which would be more interesting.
Finally, RIP the relative pronouns who and whom. I understand why whom is seldom used—most people don’t how properly to do so. Who has been replaced by “that.” Used frequently by people who (not that) should know better, it’s becoming the norm.
Let’s dignify humans with “who,” as in “the driver who” or “the child who,” not “that,” which is for things and places, not people.
Thank you.
Carolyn J. Cottrell
Kansas City
Note from KBJ: Right on, sister.
