Practical, calm responses reduce friction when someone says “thanks for your patience.” Whether you’re a customer waiting for service, a coworker waiting on a deliverable, or a friend waiting for a reply, a short, steady reply keeps the exchange courteous and clear. Below are ready-to-use phrases and tips to help you respond in a way that suits the relationship and the situation.

Why This Moment Matters

This small exchange sets the tone for the rest of the interaction: it can confirm goodwill, close a conversation politely, or open the door to next steps. Responding clearly prevents misunderstanding about whether the wait caused frustration or whether further follow-up is needed. Because the speaker is acknowledging your time, your reply is an opportunity to either reinforce patience or gently state any remaining concerns.

Short, Simple Things You Can Say

• You’re welcome — glad we could get this sorted.
• No problem at all.
• Thanks for the update.
• All good — please keep me posted.
• Happy to wait.
• Appreciate the heads-up.

Longer Messages With More Warmth

• I appreciate you letting me know — I understand these things take time. If you need anything from me while you work on it, tell me.
• Thank you for the update; I know this wasn’t easy. I’m available if you want to touch base again later today.
• No worries — I value the effort you’re putting in. When you have the next steps, I’ll be ready.
• Thanks for keeping me informed. I realize delays happen; I just want to make sure we don’t lose momentum, so let me know an ETA if you can.
• I appreciate you saying that. If this will take longer than expected, a quick update would help me plan on my end.

What to Avoid Saying

• “It’s fine” when you’re actually frustrated — it can be passive-aggressive or leave needs unspoken.
• “Finally” or anything that sounds like blame for the delay.
• Overly casual dismissals like “meh” that sound uninterested or rude.
• Demanding immediate action without recognizing the speaker’s constraints.
• Long complaints in response — that turns a polite moment into a confrontation.

Helpful Tips for Handling the Moment

• Match the tone and formality of the person who thanked you (colleague vs. service rep vs. friend).
• Keep replies brief unless you genuinely need to explain how the wait affected you.
• If the delay mattered (missed work, appointments), calmly state the impact and ask for next steps or compensation if appropriate.
• Use a follow-up question when you need clarity: “Do you have an estimated time?” or “Should I check back later?”
• If you genuinely don’t mind, say so — simple reassurance can make the other person feel less rushed.

A Note About This Particular Situation

Context matters: a customer thanking you for patience after a long hold is different from a coworker thanking you for waiting on a deliverable. Be mindful of power dynamics—if you’re the customer, a brief, polite reply is usually best; if you’re a manager or vendor, a warmer response that outlines next actions can be more helpful. When the wait had real consequences for you, use this moment to set expectations rather than simply smoothing things over.

Let us know in the comments if this has helped or if you’ve got suggestions we can include

About the Author

Helen Bach is a relationship expert and writer who helps people find the right words when it matters most. She studied English and English Literature at the University of Michigan, where she developed a passion for how language shapes love, conflict, and connection.

At whattosaywhen.net, Helen writes clear, down-to-earth advice on what to say in real-life situations—from first dates and tough conversations to breakups and makeups. Her goal is simple: to make talking about feelings less awkward and a lot more honest.