Even the bravest, boldest girl might have trouble summing up the courage to say “I love you” first… including me. It’s so hard to know when it’s a good time to say it. Is it too soon? Has so much time gone by now it might be awkward? And oh, heaven help us, what if he says something stupid back? That’s the WORST… if it’s ever happened to you, then you know exactly what I mean. Here are the 7 worst responses to “I love you” … some of which I’ve actually had to hear. Ugh.
1. That’s Nice
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Photo Credit: lolilpopmika
“That’s nice.” What? That’s NICE? I tell you that I love you, and you tell me that’s NICE?!? Well, I suppose that’s not the worst thing you can say when someone sums up their courage to tell you they love you, but it’s not the NICEST thing you could say.
2. PANIC!
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Photo Credit: freespirittervs
This actually happened to my daughter recently. The boy she was seeing (for a very short while) told her he loved her, and she had a panic attack. She couldn’t breathe, almost fainted, and certainly couldn’t speak - or tell him how she felt. Which, incidentally, wasn’t love. She was thinking of breaking up with him. Hmm.
3. So?
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Photo Credit: ☆ Fotologica
This is a cruel, wicked response when someone tells you they love you, most often heard when someone’s dropping the L-bomb to avoid an impending break-up. It’s mean, but effective at driving home the point - you may love me, but I don’t love you.
4. Oh. Okay
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Photo Credit: Nina.Kalyn
What a wishy-washy response! Tell me you hate me, tell me I remind you why you might consider becoming a monk, but don’t say this! It might convince me that you don’t have a backbone, and aren’t worthy of my affection after all.
5. I Know
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While it may have worked with Princess Leia and Hans Solo in “The Return of the Jedi,” it’s not the best response when someone in real life tells you they love you. It can be used in some cases, though, like if you’re saying good-bye for a while, or if you plan to follow it very closely with an “I love you, too.”
6. Interesting!
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Photo Credit: tapasparida
This isn’t a science experiment, Romeo. When a girl tells you she loves you, this isn’t the time for objective observation. Take off the rubber gloves and set aside your Bunsen burner. Look deep into her eyes and tell her how you really feel.
7. Umm… I Have to Go Now…
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Photo Credit: David Sandell
This is what most men will say if you’re talking to them on the phone and they’re surrounded by their friends. Instantly, all of their friends know what you’ve just said, and will harass him or it, possibly making little smooching noises too… how embarrassing! And how old are they? Like, twelve?
While there are a lot of responses you CAN say when someone tells you they love you, these are the ones to avoid, for sure. I’m sure there are others… have you said anything odd, or heard something you weren’t expecting? Please let me know!
Top Photo Credit: no dilemma
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do some people give bad responses to 'I Love You'?
- Oh, sometimes people panic and just blurt out something silly. Or maybe they're not feeling the same way. It's like when you freeze up in a surprising situation!
- How should I handle an awkward response?
- Stay calm! It's easy to get upset, but it's better to talk it out. Ask them how they feel, or if they need time. This is a chance to clear the air.
- Can a bad response mean they don’t love me back?
- Not always! Sometimes they might just be nervous or unsure about how to express their feelings. It's best to have an open chat about it.
- Is humor a good way to respond to 'I Love You'?
- Depends! If both are comfortable with humor in your relationship, it can work. But be careful not to make the other person feel like you're not taking their feelings seriously.
- How can I avoid giving a bad response myself?
- Just be honest. If you're feeling flustered, it's okay to say, 'Wow, that's big!' or 'Let me soak this in.' Better to be genuine than to say something that might hurt.