There are various phases and symbols used to denote the same meaning as a simple yes or no would do. Greetings play a very important role in our lives and help the next person know about our feelings, etiquette, manners, and, most importantly, aid them to evaluate an individual’s interest in the conversation. Using humble and polite responses and greetings can make a conversation go and end on a positive note and can leave a long-lasting positive impression on the person an individual is talking to.
Mention is not a phrase that is used as a response to thank you. Whenever someone says ‘thank you for helping me or a simple ‘thank you’ in general, it is more often seen that people use ‘you are welcome’ or ‘mention not’, as a response to someone saying thank you for a service provided. Even though you are welcome is a phrase that can be used as a response to a simple thank you, it is now assumed to be an outdated and casual response to a greeting where someone is thankful to the person who has helped.
The usage of mention not as a response helps to gather the attention of the person who is thankful to an individual and assure him or her that his or her way of saying thank you is correct and the other person is delighted to help him or her, which increases the chance of having cordial and warm relations between people.
Mention not can also be used as an alternative not to mention, don’t mention, not to mention and not to worry; when one is responding to thank you or when someone says ‘I’m delighted that you have helped me’ or sends any greeting which speaks of being overwhelmed and thankful for a service given.
An example to help one understand this point is that if a friend says thank you for helping him or her out in completing an assignment, then the ideal responses could be: your welcome, mention not, don’t worry, that is nothing, not to mention, you are most welcome and many more. The choice of which phrase to use depends totally upon the person who is responding to thank you.
Professional usage of mention not
The phrase, mention not, is widely used for professional purposes such as in the workplace like office schools, meetings, seminars, and summits, etc. It helps in grabbing attention quickly and is one of the best ways to spread positivity in the environment one is in. A few examples where the mention of the phrase is used in organizational settings are:
A statement where a person is saying thank you – Thank you so much for helping me out with this project. (An employee being grateful to another employee for helping him or her in finishing an upcoming project)
Answer
Mention not. It’s my pleasure to help you out. Please also let me know if you need any kind of help later on as well with the remaining project.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – Thank you so much for rescheduling the meeting as I had to go somewhere urgently (an employee to his or her senior).
Answer
That’s not a problem not to mention that just make sure that you don’t tell me about anything which happened beforehand so that we can make the arrangements accordingly.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – Thank you so much for making my work at the office so much easier today (an employee to an employee in the office).
Answer
That’s totally fine. I can help you later as well if you wish, just ring me up whenever you need me. I am always there to help my colleagues in the office, and I would be glad if I could be of any help to you too.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – Thank you, my son, for helping me carry this luggage. It was really heavy, and if it weren’t for you, it would be almost impossible for me to carry these by myself and reach home safely. A father to his son or daughter.(In this case, the son has been assumed as the child).
Answer
That is my pleasure, Dad, please do not mention it. I always feel nice helping you because you work for us the whole day, and this is just a small favor that I did. Please let me know whenever you need me. I would be more than happy to help you out as much as I can, and I would try to help you out to my fullest potential.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – you have really helped me today. Boy, I would like to thank you for giving this pack of biscuits as a return gift from my side (a shopkeeper says this to a young boy who has helped him in arranging the items in the shop lately)
Answer
Mention not, sir. It makes me happy that I was able to help you in some way. Though, I would appreciate having a pack of chocolate instead of biscuits. Thank you to you too.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – thank you, ma’am, for understanding my flight and giving me a chance to submit my notebook after the deadline (a student to a teacher).
Answer
Teachers are always there to help students who are generous and sincere with their work most of the time. If you face any difficulty in the future, just let me know about the same so that I can look into the matter and help you with whatever you need.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – I was having a really rough day and thank you so much for doing my work at the office today (two employees talking to each other about a project which would have not been completed if one of them hadn’t stood for helping the other)
Answer
Oh, not to mention it is something I can definitely do for you, and no need to say thank you for that. We owe it to each other this way as colleagues in the office.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – I know it was a long week for you, and it was not nice on my part to make you work on Saturday as well, but as you know, the competency of our employees in the office is quite low, therefore I had to do this and make your stay. Thank you so much for this favor. (A boss to his or her client)
Answer
Oh, no. It is perfectly fine with me to work on Saturday. Not to mention and worry about the same.
A statement where a person is saying thank you – Oh, my dear children, thank you so much for bringing in the books to the staff room so that I can check them whenever I want as per my convenience. (A teacher to his or her students).
Answer
No issues, mum. Please do not mention it. It is our pleasure to help you in any way we can. We are always grateful to you and for the service you provide. Is there anything else you need help with, you can surely let us know as we would love to help you and be of any use to you?
A statement where a person is saying thank you – If you had not been there for me to help me out with my household work today, I would not have been able to manage to come to this party and enjoy it so much (a mother to her daughter).
Answer
Mention not, mom; I have always wanted to help you at work, and I am glad to know that you are happy with me and the help I have provided you with. I hope that I get this opportunity in the future as well so that I can do as much of your work as I can.
The above examples show the usage of the phrase ‘mention not’ clearly. Though, it is to note that mentioning not is the most appropriate phrase to be attached in response only if an individual is talking to someone who is at the same hierarchy or level of authority as he or she is or to someone who is senior to an individual in terms of authority and status.
Although this phrase, ‘mention not’ can be said by people at a higher authority to someone who is at a lower level than them, phrases such as your welcome or my pleasure are the best-suited ones in a conversation.
It is said so because ‘mention not’ is used to depict immense respect and interest only on the part of the respondent, which is not a prerequisite for a senior officer to use while addressing his or her juniors. A simple reply such as your welcome can be used as a response to thank you.
It is advisable that one must include the phrase mention not in his or her dictionary and vocabulary for daily usage and use them often, as it not only increases one’s respect and helps others to evaluate his or her etiquette and manners, but also brings in and helps to build a positive vibe in the environment around him or her which attracts people while conversing which leaves a better impression altogether.
