What is the proper ettiquette response to excuse me?

May 22, 2010 - 10:24 pm 19 Comments

If somebody says excuse me what is the proper thing to say?? Oh sure, or No problem, or Your Welcome? Remember it is proper ettiquette.
If you are walking in the mall, and you have to get through and they are in the way you say "excuse me" what is the proper response? Your Welcome??

"Certainly."

If they say "Thank-you" then you may reply "You’re welcome."

19 Responses to “What is the proper ettiquette response to excuse me?”

  1. pepsiolic Says:

    certainly.
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  2. JUSTME Says:

    Sure.
    No problem.
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  3. answerman Says:

    your excused
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  4. pellco Says:

    No doubt
    Most deff
    iight
    fo sho
    there’s no excuse for you
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  5. riversconfluence Says:

    "Of course" is proper, "certainly" is also. If it is a lady, excusing herself from your presence, like for a trip to the loo, a gentleman rises and assists her with her chair, leaving and coming back to the table. A lady might inquire if assistance is needed.
    If it was for a sneeze or other sound, no comment is required, if you want to say bless you, fine, but not required.
    and for heaven’s sake, do not inquire if everything came out OK after a trip to the loo, save that for your buddies after the 3rd teqilla shooter!
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  6. racer_350z Says:

    This depends on the CONTEXT with which "Excuse Me" is being used:

    If someone accidentally bumps into you at a dinner party and says "Excuse Me", for example, a correct response would be: "That’s quite alright" or simply "Not to worry"

    If someone is excusing themselves from a dinner table, then a correct response would be "Certainly" or "of Course"
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  7. Mr. Jeff Says:

    You say all three.

    They’ll say "excuse me". And you say "Oh sure, no problem". Then they’ll ‘thank you’ and you say "your welcome".

    MJ
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  8. castle h Says:

    You can respond with:

    "Have a goody day?" and smile.

    "Not a problem."

    "Take care now."

    "Of course."

    "By all means."
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  9. ThatGuy Says:

    If someone wants past me, and they’re kind enough to excuse themselves, i always say either "Please", or "Sorry". In a polite way, not dramatic.

    It sounds silly, i know, but just do it and people will think you’re very polite. . .which believe me, is a good thing. You’ll look like a winner, and who wouldn’t want to be around a winner?
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  10. sew Says:

    "Certainly."

    If they say "Thank-you" then you may reply "You’re welcome."
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  11. aubrey Says:

    I would just nod and smile, there is no real response needed, you could say, "It’s okay", or something like that.
    ~aubrey e.
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    ME!

  12. DEE Says:

    To comply. Sure or no problem will do, you’re welcome will not.
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  13. padiwan2 Says:

    My thought would be to turn around and say No Problem. We can’t choose to be nice to the ones that have more packages in their hands than they have arms on their bodies as opposta persons playing tag or lil kids running around in a store. Saying No Problem would be my best bet.
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  14. dirtbie Says:

    "Sure" "Absolutely" "Certainly" "Of course." I would think that those would be okay to use.
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  15. Carla F Says:

    The proper answer, depending on the "reason for asking" is "YOU’RE EXCUSED"
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  16. linda-Anglo Saxon Says:

    usually-I’m sorry!
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  17. intrepid Says:

    I merely smile and nod. It is rare that I would need to verbally reply.
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  18. zaleonia1 Says:

    I just give eye contact and a nod and a smile to let the person know I heard them (you know, when exiting an elevator).
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  19. Vix Says:

    "you’re excused" or "of course". You can also just nod and smile.
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