the shrewdness of apes

i'm against. "you're welcome" just doesn't roll off the tongue. i find my diction can't handle that jumble of sounds that is __'re welc__. sorry, and thanks for listening to my views.

i gotta side with bowl of gravy on this one. it strikes me as overly formal, and verges on the nonsensical. i usually go for the mmmhhhmmm. or sure. or the head nod. which i know is verging on rude, but in addition to not really understanding the phrase, I really can't stand the sound of you're welcome when it comes out of my mouth. sometimes i say yerr, sometimes i say yore. i just can't get it right. although i do agree wholeheartedly with the thank *you* follow-up. it's toxic.

As a recent victim of a sarcastic "you're welcome," I have reservations about promoting the use of that phrase.

A couple weeks ago I had to make a trip to the Upper East Side to fulfill catsitting duties. Figuring I might as well take advantage of the opportunity to culture myself up, I stopped by the Guggenheim to see the James Rosenquist exhibit. Upon finishing my circular trek through the museum, I waited in line to retrieve my coat from the coat check.

A weaselly looking man took my ticket, got my coat off the rack and handed it to me. I said "Thank you," but apparently not loudly enough. As I was putting on my coat, I heard him say "You're welcome" with a sharpness to it.

At first I wasn't sure if I was imagining the sarcasm, but then as I was walking away he said loudly, "We say 'thank you' here!" It was all I could do to restrain myself from turning around and shouting, "I said thank you, you fucking asshole!" There were many other people in line, however, and I didn't want to bring that kind of attention to myself. I was fuming all the way to the subway. What a dick that guy was. Even if I hadn't thanked him, his response was totally out of line.

And in case anyone might think that this has something to do with tipping, I believe it doesn't. I've never seen anyone else tip the coat check people in museums. It's probably considered gauche.

So in conclusion, I'll just say that if you are going to use "you're welcome" please do so only in a sincere, respectful manner. And I have no problem with "no problem," "okay," or "right back at ya, chief," as substitutes.

i kind of want to take back what i said above. i just realized that while at the office i use "you're welcome" on the phone without any trouble at all. it flies from my mouth un-jumbled and non-sarcastically.

shawn - "mmmhhhmmm" isn't nonsensical? your specific dilemma is a bit tricky however. i blame too much time spent in that wasteland of diction, Philadelphia.

jim - politeness and gentility woud certianly not be served by employing sarcasm.

marc - nice flip-flop.

jamie, you're fanning flames that are already out! since when has "you're welcome" not been part of regular vernancular? i am a big fan of "thank you" and "you're welcome." "you got it" is SUCH as tsoa term.

Jamie,

I am a big fan of "You're welcome." But, I've got to agree with Sujan- you are the only person I have ever heard use the phrase, "You got it." Is this goal to bring back "You're welcome" just a little bit of ape self-reflecting?

I'm going to bring back "no worries."

Dan, I answered your question when I called this "t.s.o.a.'s new pet project for self/world improvement".

That is true, Mr. Paquette. I guess I was just so taken aback at you calling people out for using "You got it" when you say it all the time. Please accept my sincerest apology.

Kynan, Doug and I had a debate over the appropriate use of "thank you" while driving the PA turnpike last summer. Kynan was up in arms over thanking the tollbooth jerk for taking his hard earned money. My policy is to say thank you regardless of whether it's been earned. Saying thank you is going to work out for me more often than not saying thank you.

Not sure I care about you're welcome, can we all get behind Cheers? But Jamie, if you really want to bring a term into more common usage, I encourage you to use "take it sleazy" as often as possible.

Twice today I received a "no worries" - and I must admit it always triggers a Nathan Lane-ified flashback to "The Lion King." I much prefer "you're welcome."