Why would it be a problem?

Perhaps it is because I am getting older, that my lack of patience is increasing. There are many small things people do and say, which tend to bother me more now than they used to, and hopefully, I am not the only one.

For example, I am all for saving money, but I would like to meet the person who decided it would be better to make the serrated edge on plastic wrap containers out of plastic, instead of metal. It must be less expensive for them, but I am constantly fighting with the wrap to try to get a clean tear, instead of my usually ripped and stretched version.

Another trait, which gets me going, is when I am in line at Tim Hortons. There is usually a lineup, but it moves quickly. What irks me is, and it inevitably happens just ahead of me, someone has been standing in line for five or so minutes, their turn comes up, they walk to the cashier and have no idea what they want. It is not as if the menu is hidden from view, as it is displayed on large screens in front of you. I understand they may not have what you asked for, and that’s OK, but not having a clue after standing in line for five minutes is a real peeve of mine.

I suppose my list of aggravations is not that long, but something which nears the top is the phrase ‘No Problem.’ It seems to have become part of our vocabulary, and many use it. There is nothing wrong with the phrase except when it is used to replace the old-fashioned ‘You are Welcome.’

When you think about it, you have to wonder why it would possibly be a problem. I buy something in a store, go to the checkout to pay for it, hand the person my money, say thank you, and they retort with ‘No problem’. The answer should be, ‘You are welcome.’

It was never considered a problem, as there is no solution. I shake my head when I hear it and feel it is right up there with ‘No worries,’ an Australian phrase which seems to have made its way to Canada.

Just like I did not have a problem, I also was never worried. Just once, it would be nice to get back to using phrases the way they were intended. I suppose, ‘No problem’ and No worries’ is better than our friends south of the border, who simply say, ‘Uh huh’!

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award-winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. Watch his show, ‘Jonathan van Bilsen’s photosNtravel’, on RogersTV, the Standard Website or YouTube.