The Casual Use of Love You

@noni1959 (12761)
United States
March 16, 2026 7:24pm CST
I know this is a strange topic, but there are people I am not close to, who continuously will say "I love you", or one person will say, "you know I love you, so..." and it is very uncomfortable. I'd like to get your take on this. Some will argue it means they feel affection towards me and I should be happy I'm loved. The thing is, these people have never been deep in my life to learn anything about me to know me enough to "love me" nor have I them. The phrase, "love you" has become so casual, it can easily be misinterpreted. Some use it as a form of saying, "take care" with no other meaning behind it. That is find, but just say, "take care." It becomes awkward for me, especially if I don't wish to return the emotion, casual or otherwise. As someone who is old school, I treat the word love as something meaningful and earned, not casual. Using it lightly, just feels inaccurate and fake. As a peacekeeper, keeping others comfortable felt safer than disappointing them, and sometimes, that meant mirroring, "love you", when I didn't feel it. One time, that ended up carrying emotional responsibilities that were never really intended and turned into a stalking nightmare. Now, I just say, "have a wonderful day!" or something close, but the disappointment on their faces, or in their next message, shows. How do you respond when someone says this? I am not talking about your close relationships. I say I love you to my kids, grandkids and close friends/family. I have to learn someone else's disappointment does not mean I've done something wrong, yet, many times I feel bad after. This photo is what I had created for me about my life in the travel trailer. I thought it fun and cool.
7 people like this
6 responses
@sallypup (68297)
• Centralia, Washington
2h
I've never heard "love you!" put that casually. Put that way it sounds like manipulation; emotional blackmail.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118736)
• Anniston, Alabama
Just now
Exactly!
1h
" love you" There you go. Casual use of love you I said those words to a Magnum Ice Cream Bar,
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (186785)
• Boise, Idaho
Just now
Is the love something they want from you? If it makes you that uncomfortable tell them. It is something this person does with others too or just you?
@toniganzon (74803)
• Philippines
1h
I know exactly what you mean as I feel the same way. I'm not comfortable when people are saying it casually. I recently saw Marty Supreme by Timothee Chalamet and in that movie Marty would say I love you to his friends and family when he is in need of something, when he's grateful, or when he's just had an argument he couldn't win. But I don't think none of those meant he truly loved them but just his way of saying thank you, or please agree with me.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118736)
• Anniston, Alabama
Just now
Yeah, I agree, it's used to much and by. People who wouldn't pee on me if I were on fire. I think it's used more as an intent of control and manipulation. And as you said they get mad when you don't fall for it. Keep your boundaries!
@Jehanne (89)
2h
I won't say love you if I'm not use saying it especially to people I'm not close with. Yes, just like you a word love, I love you is very meaningful to me. If someone say it or it comes from me, it should be sincere, no pretend or being pressure to say it.