The customer who asked for the manager because I said 'no problem' instead of 'you're welcome'

I work at a coffee shop in Portland and this lady last Tuesday actually demanded a refund because she said I was being rude by saying 'no problem' instead of 'you're welcome.' She told me it shows a lack of respect - has anyone else had customers get weirdly hung up on tiny word choices like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

faithj1016d ago

My sister got yelled at once for saying "sure thing" at a diner in Seattle. Lady claimed it sounded like she was agreeing to a drug deal or something. People just want to find things to be mad about I guess.

lucas6316d ago

I have to take the customer's side on this one honestly. My grandmother was a waitress for 42 years and she told me once that "no problem" sounds like you're doing someone a favor by serving them, which isnt true - thats your job. She said "you're welcome" means I chose to help you and Im glad to do it. Back in 2019 I had a cashier at a grocery store in Denver say "yep" instead of anything polite and it just felt dismissive, like I was bothering them by existing. If Im paying 6 dollars for a latte in Portland, I expect basic manners not a phrase that implies my request was some kind of burden. Words matter more than people want to admit, especially in customer service.