By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Spending my money where expressions of gratitude are responded to with, “My pleasure.” Does a Southern woman run this company?
I fully recognize that I am not the brightest bulb on the shelf, but I’ve got say, when it comes to common courtesy, I am completely perplexed.
Case and point: When did it become acceptable to thank someone, and their response be, “No problem.” What? I said, “Thank you” or “I appreciate you,” and your response is “No problem?” I’m not trying to create a challenge for you to overcome; I’m trying to express gratitude for your assistance. So why are you expressing that I have NOT provided you with a problem? Do you want one? Am I supposed to?
What happened to, “You’re welcome.” Or better yet, take a page out of those amazing Chick-fil-A folks’ playbook and utter, “My pleasure.” Both of those sentiments make you feel good, make you feel acknowledged, valued even. “No problem” is negative. I don’t like that. I’ve given you a positive – a sincere expression of thanks – and I get a negative in return? See my point?
I recall years ago in the office Lisa Ann having a conversation with an employee who was in need of a wee attitude adjustment. Now I wasn’t intentionally trying to eavesdrop on her conversation. Lisa Ann tends to be boisterous when she’s not aggravated, so you can imagine the sonic boom when she is.
“Going forward, I want positivity. I want talking to you to be like going to Chick-fil-A. All I want to hear is ‘My pleasure,’” she roared.
Truth be told, it was deserved, and miraculously, the adjustment in attitude turned out just fine. I did get us Chick-fil-A for lunch that day, and delivered it to her with a snarky, “My pleasure” just to stir the pot. It wasn’t too long after that I inherited employee evaluations. Imagine that.
Another frequent response I have encountered is, “You bet.” Now I’m all for a good wager, but what exactly am I betting on? It’s not football season yet, so I’m in the dark on this one. I have expressed to you my sincere appreciation. Since when is that a gamble?
Of course, there are those that when you express gratitude utter no reply at all in return. I was raised better than that.
This courtesy conundrum is sincerely giving me pause. I’m thinking twice before I tell someone, “Thank you,” and that’s not okay either. I don’t want to have to thoroughly analyze a situation before I express appreciation. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
I think I’ll just stick with what I know and continue to frequent Chick-fil-A, because I know I can count on common courtesy and amazing food. Heck, even if they get my order wrong, I’m not going to say a word, because they are just so dang sweet. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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