While browsing Miss Manners' column on msn (in the hopes the answer to my question was somehow published without me knowing (it wasn't and there's still no reply), I came across another interesting reader question - What are we supposed to say when someone says thank you?
This made me wonder just how many different ways to respond are out there in different cultures. What do they say in your country? Or do you know of any responses in a foreign language that seem unusual to you?
In Russian, we say "nothing for" as in "nothing to thank me for", and sometimes people reply with "please", which would be the Russian equivalent for "you're welcome" in this situation. The article also gives an example of a proper reply in Spanish, which is "de nada" and means "it was nothing".
Well, we speak three languages in Singapore, so I say "Don't mention" or "You're welcome" in English; "Sama-sama" in Malay; "不客气" in Chinese.
ReplyDeleteIn Filipino, you say "Walang anuman!" (don't mention it). Butn people here usually just say "You're welcome!" :))
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Maybe
Love this line of thought. I usually say no problem and if it's a very special gift, it was a pleasure--because giving to someone you love is always the greatest pleasure on earth :)
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
I'd follow it with 'You're welcome'. Seems like a good thing to say
ReplyDeleteI use it was my pleasure a lot!
ReplyDeletein Spanish we say " de nada- anything" or " a ti- you", I think that most say the same thing with different expressions.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment,a muaaaaaaa
I say, "you're welcome," or "anytime". :-) The actual Filipino phrase for it is "walang anuman" ("it was nothing") but nobody uses that in casual conversations. :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought!!! I never really considered this. But it's easy to recall as it happens to frequently. Basically, here in the US (as I know it), when someone says 'thank you' it's often met with some form of either "don't worry about it!" or "of course!!" as if the thank you is unnecessary (but of course always appreciated). Again, I hadn't really thought of this before but that's definitely the norm.
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I just say "your welcome" or at work when customers say thank you my initial response is "no problem!" with a big smile. Or sometimes if I don't know the person & they hold a door open for me or something small I just smile.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day Julia!
x
i grew up in the south and instead of your welcome i always said "happy to do it."
ReplyDeleteI had to think about this one. I think I reply with, "no problem," most of the time.
ReplyDeleteyou're welcome or no problem. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I say, "No prob!" or "Sure!" And, well, "You're welcome!" Haha. Let me see if "Nothing for" will work here :)
ReplyDeleteIn Chinese, we'd say "it won't" more often...... means it won't bother/trouble me at all as oppose to "you are welcome". ^^
ReplyDelete..in english I always say - 'That's nothing' , but this is interesting topic indeed , I think it's also depends how the other person responds , I mean how they say - Thanks ..
ReplyDeletep.s that golden thing was belt :)
in malaysia we have lots of languages. im a chinese, we say "不客氣 (bu ke qi)" in return. it means something like "no big deal. there's no need to be so polite" :)
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