"No problem"
What is it about the use of this phrase in daily discourse that drives me nuts? And why does its use rankle me?
You must have noticed that it is absolutely everywhere; telemarketers, retail clerks, cops, waiters and waitresses, hotel employees, friends and neighbors. Everybody is using it in conversation.
What does it really mean when this phrase is used?
"No problem" means it isn't a problem. The would be logical. But, if I am coming into your retail store to purchase some liquid chlorine and I lug the empty containers in and the full ones out, while all you do is you chat up the girlfriend clerk and take my EXACT CHANGE, how is it a freaking problem anyway? So it really means... it is a problem. Because eveything is a problem with my shitty job and let me take it out on you...
You know exactly what I mean. Because you are so much more likely to hear this from someone who is trying to recover from giving you bad service. It is a passive aggressive good bye and good riddence. What I want to hear is, "Thanks for your business" or even the ubiquitius "Have a nice day."
Goodness, but I am cranky.