A chara, – Your correspondents who have concerns about waiting staff responding with “No worries/bother/problem” should go to Derry for a meal, where the normal staff response is “Happy days”. It may not be correct, but it’s very cheery and refreshing. – Is mise,
JOE McLAUGHLIN,
Midlothian,
Scotland.
Sir, – The polite response to “Thank you” in English is “You’re welcome” or “My pleasure”.
Charming as Geraldine O’Brien (January 9th) might find the “No bother” response, I’m sure anyone in Kerry with customer service training could tell you, the polite reply when thanked should never lead with “No”. This rules out “No worries”, “No problem”, “No bother”, “No trouble” and “Not at all” – the reason being that the first word the customer hears is “No”. It may seem that “You’re welcome” is very formal or that we are obeying stuffy English grammar rules but look up what “Fáilte romhat” means. Not a “No” in sight! – Yours, etc,
MICHELLE WALSHE,
Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Sir, – The customary acknowledgment of the conclusion of a transaction in shops in some parts of Kildare is “Grand job”. – Yours, etc,
JOY MURPHY,
Naas, Co Kildare.
Sir, – I think Donegal beats “No worries” and “No bother” with “That’s you now” – Yours, etc,
URSULA
HOUGH-GORMLEY,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.