"No Problem at All"

[Colwyn]

From where did this phrase come? Are receptionists trained to always reply using it? Is it supposed to be a reassuring phrase with no meaning? Today I phoned the dentist surgery to make an appointment. The conversation went like this.

Me: I'd like to book an appointment.
She: No problem at all. What is your name?
Me: Colwyn ********
She: No problem at all. What is the appointment for.
Me: I've broken a tooth.
She: No problem at all.

It was at this stage I felt like saying, "It may not be a problem to you, but bloody well is for me!" but I thought this might make booking an appointment a little more difficult ... so I kept quiet.

[scorcher]

Agreed 100% - really irritating. I always remark how lucky they are to have no problems and offer them some of mine...
"No worries" is another to get the same treatment.

[mary62]

OOOPS....I am guilty of saying both of these phrases. :

[KKOB]

It really grinds my gears when someone begins a spoken reply with "So, ...."

[Bluwise]

Mine too KKOB - so annoying

[Dennis Vint]

Discretion is better than Valour, Colwyn............no problem at all!!!!!     

[Jacqui Harvey]

We find people in our neck of the woods say "Not a problem".  In a local restaurant.... A G.&T. And a Beer please, Not a problem,  can we have a menu?.. Not a problem.  Can I order the fish?... Not a problem.
Drives me mad.

[KKOB]

At the end of the day.....

[sadler]

 

At the end of the day.....

I absolutely hate that, what does it mean?

[sadler]

"You have a nice day now" drives me mad, and what do we answer, "Thankyou and you too". None of it is meant!