I don't recall exactly when I heard this phrase the first time, uttered in response to my "thank you" but I do remember it was from a young waitress at a restaurant somewhere when she refilled by tea glass. At the time I didn't give it much thought, but as we were driving home after our dinner it suddenly occurred to me that it had better not have "been a problem" as that is what the young lady was being paid to do and, I might add, tipped the customary 20%. I have never really known how this response to thank you appeared in the American lexicon, but it appears that it is now entrenched as a way of life, not only for the youngsters but for older folks as well. It will not become a part of my manners, however, as I refuse to allow that.
