Worrisome wishes

How recently the “no worries” response came into fashion I do not know, but upon first hearing it, I found it very reassuring. At that time, it was my doctor's office. But now, it's also my bank and somehow, I am less reassured. The sincerity got knocked out of the phrase.

If it has become ubiquitous, how sincere can it be? Is it like, “Have a good day?” I want no worries. Aaaaah, no worries. No worries to cancel a doctor's appointment, no worries that I cannot log into my bank account from home, no worries that my dental bill seems to be wildly incorrect. No worries that ComEd does not answer my call until a 10-minute wait time and then no one says, “no worries.” No one at ComEd says, “no worries.”

Tell the kid who dropped his ice cream cone onto the sidewalk, “no worries.” But say it sincerely and good luck with that.

Mary Ellen Goodwill

Elgin