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Use of "no worries" by young people?

73 replies

NormaSnorks · 04/05/2024 13:56

Here's an exchange between me and DS (aged 21) after some nagging on my part to get him to confirm some dates he's free for a family event, and he's finally sent them:

Me: Thanks. I've saved them in the family calendar so you'll remember to keep them free until confirmed. [We use a shared online calendar]

Him: No worries!

Or this when he's coming home after dinner:

Me: Will you want any food later?

Him: Yes please - will be back about 8.30

Me: OK. Have put some aside for you in fridge.

Him: No worries!

In both cases this left me feeling annoyed? I felt as if I'd been doing him a favour and what I expected was more a 'great, thanks!' but what I got was a response telling me not to worry, as if I'd done something wrong?

Urgh. I don't get it?

OP posts:

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Poachedeggavocado · 04/05/2024 13:59

Hakuna Mattata!!! Lion king, it means no worries :). I'm from Southern Africa so have always said it but I think it got popular in the UK from the 90s movie.

SoupDragon · 04/05/2024 13:59

My DC (18-25) use "calm" instead of "OK". It always sounds like they're telling me to calm down.

I'm sure my parents thought the same of some of the things I said. I think it's to make us feel old and out of touch.

AtrociousCircumstance · 04/05/2024 14:01

Yes, no worries is like you’re welcome. You’ve done something for him so it’s inappropriate to say no worries.

”Here, let me give you £20 for lunch.”

”No worries!”

Nope! 😂

Runningupthecurtains · 04/05/2024 14:02

My DH uses no worries in this way. He is 52 so would be delighted to think it's a 'young people' thing.

Don't ever go to Australia it would drive you insane.

NormaSnorks · 04/05/2024 14:02

Poachedeggavocado · 04/05/2024 13:59

Hakuna Mattata!!! Lion king, it means no worries :). I'm from Southern Africa so have always said it but I think it got popular in the UK from the 90s movie.

That's fine, but my point is that I wasn't worried in the first place!
It just feels rude, as if it's the exact opposite response to what is required. I feel like replying 'I'm not worried, but you should be, because if I hadn't put food aside your bother would've eaten it all!' 😂

OP posts:

MsMuffinWalloper · 04/05/2024 14:03

I came back from Australia saying this in 2005 and have noticed it seems the norm here now. It's another way to say thank you but also it was no bother. Not meant to be rude in any way. So someone might walk towards you, you'd hold the door open and they'd say thanks, you could reply "no worries".

I know, my mum hated it too 😁

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/05/2024 14:05

It's been used since the 80s in the UK thanks to Neighbours. It literally means "don't worry about it" so yes, your son is using it in an inappropriate context but I guess that's what happens with language over generations. It's annoying, yes, but what can you do about it?

Joolsin · 04/05/2024 14:05

I'm old and I say "No worries" or "No probs" but usually as an alternative to "You're welcome" when someone has thanked me.

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 04/05/2024 14:05

I know a young person (he looks about 20-22ish) who says "that's all good" every time you tell him something or ask for something.

Maverick101 · 04/05/2024 14:06

Another Australian here.

No wuckers mate 😉

Notquitefinishe · 04/05/2024 14:08

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/05/2024 14:05

It's been used since the 80s in the UK thanks to Neighbours. It literally means "don't worry about it" so yes, your son is using it in an inappropriate context but I guess that's what happens with language over generations. It's annoying, yes, but what can you do about it?

Yes I'm mid 30s and use it but not at all in the way the OP describes.

'Thanks for the lift'
'No worries'

Or

'I'm going to be 10 minutes late'
'No worries, let me know when you're here'

NormaSnorks · 04/05/2024 14:08

I totally understand its use in the "you're welcome" context, but this isn't how DS is using it here? He hasn't done me a favour by getting me to save a portion of food for him for later? I'm the one who should be saying "no worries - I'll leave some in the fridge for you"?

OP posts:

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/05/2024 14:08

'No worries' is now (UK) and always (Oz) 'you're welcome'. Which is fine and a cultural change for the UK. Your DS is using it instead of 'thanks'. I'm sure it is 'no worries' for HIM when you do something for him.

I'm sarcastic and would point it out in person. Not via text though.

bravefox · 04/05/2024 14:09

Yes! I had this recently:

Friend: "I have to cancel our plans for tomorrow "

Me: "ah that's a shame, but I understand"

Friend: "no worries"

Surely that's for me to say not them?!

Winterjoy · 04/05/2024 14:11

Is it only in messages or does he use it verbally also? If the former, I wonder if it's one of the 'suggested' replies in Whatsapp/Messenger and he's just tapping it without much thought.

Devilsmommy · 04/05/2024 14:13

Maverick101 · 04/05/2024 14:06

Another Australian here.

No wuckers mate 😉

🤣 I'm going to start using that😁

AtrociousCircumstance · 04/05/2024 14:13

Talk to him about it! Light heartedly.

Son, no worries means you’re welcome and makes sense if you’ve done something for me, not vice versa! It’s putting me off doing you favours darling…!

WhatDaPoint · 04/05/2024 14:15

I'm old but use no worries a lot. My friends do too. I don't think it's an old people thing.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/05/2024 14:15

Tell him it’s the equivalent of the Spanish “de nada” or the now somewhat old fashioned “don’t mention it”.

NormaSnorks · 04/05/2024 14:16

Winterjoy · 04/05/2024 14:11

Is it only in messages or does he use it verbally also? If the former, I wonder if it's one of the 'suggested' replies in Whatsapp/Messenger and he's just tapping it without much thought.

That a good point, but I think he says it verbally too. He has dyslexia and sometimes interprets things slightly wrong, so could be that too. I've asked him in the past if he wants me to tell him if this happens and he's said he does, so I might gently mention it.

I'd hate it to impact him if he ended up pissing people off!

@bravefox - Yes! I had that 'hang on, YOU don't get to say that!' feeling too 😂

OP posts:

Rainydayinlondon · 04/05/2024 14:16

AtrociousCircumstance · 04/05/2024 14:13

Talk to him about it! Light heartedly.

Son, no worries means you’re welcome and makes sense if you’ve done something for me, not vice versa! It’s putting me off doing you favours darling…!

I’ve done this and after some head scratching 😆 have laughed and said “oh I get your point “.

ASighMadeOfStone · 04/05/2024 14:17

I'm 58. British, and an English teacher.
I've used it for as long as I can remember to mean: "that's fine".
Thinking about it, that use of the phrase probably came from Neighbours, which as a student in the late 80s, I watched religiously.
A quick Google shows it means "no problem", "that's fine" etc as a response to a request, suggestion, or instruction etc.

mynameiscalypso · 04/05/2024 14:19

I use it and I'm 40. But I also so 'no problemo' which is probably worse.

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NormaSnorks · 04/05/2024 14:19

@CurlyhairedAssassin and @WhatDaPoint
This is not the interpretation we're talking about here (i.e. the use of it in a 'don't mention it' kind of way)

OP posts:

CurlyhairedAssassin · 04/05/2024 14:26

Thinking about it, now you mention it, there are quite a few slightly different meanings now, aren’t there?

If someone bumped into me with their shopping trolley and said “oops, sorry”, I’d use “No worries” as a reply there.

2.If someone said “thanks” after I’d reached for something from the top shelf for them I’d also say “No worries” there too.

(nb I do not live my whole life in Tesco)

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