ANSWERS: 28
  • Some people are so hungry for love that they want to blurt out the L-word at the first indication that someone approves of them. Examine your motives. Are you in the relationship for your own narcissistic gratification? Is that burning desire to confess your love more about you than the object of your desire? If the love you feel is something deeper, when to say it will not be an issue. Relax and try to enjoy the experience without getting hung up on when to pour out your feelings. It isn't appropriate to put love on a timetable. For those seeking a specific schedule, I advise waiting at least 6 months.
  • Not sure if this will be of any help, but. . .from The Washington Post Q. Dear Miss Manners: Please, can you lend some insight? When is the proper time to say "I love you" to a new love? When you first know it to be true? When you think it is likely to elicit an "I love you" in return? Is it possible to say the words without it sounding like an attempt to elicit the same from the object of one's affections -- as a sort of romantic FYI? A. Some insight: You do not want the other person to respond "Thank you," "I'm very fond of you," "I'm flattered" or "Why don't we catch a movie?" So while Miss Manners does not claim it to be impolite to make a declaration of love to someone you do not believe is ready to reciprocate, she would not advise it.
  • Until you mean it. Any other answer could be taken as permission to be dishonest. I find a good rule of thumb is that when you catch yourself about to say it, and just hold back because you haven't before, you really mean it. And if you want them to know that, go ahead and say so. That doesn't overrule tact, though. Don't use to get out of something ("But baby, I love you!"). And for heaven's sake, don't say it with your mouth full! ; ) Quiet, romantic moments work well. If you're nervous about how the other person will respond, try saying it along with a farewell and don't worry if they don't say it back right away. That gives them some time to think about it--and if it is awkward, then the moment passes quickly.
  • There is no right or wrong answer to this. It's merely subjective on anyone's part. However, saying it too early in the relationship, for instance, less than 6 months, is probably not the right time to be telling your opposite sex partner that you're in love with them. After all, it's not likely you're going to be able to fall in love with someone you don't know that well this quickly. You might have "puppy love," a euphemism for lust, but you're not really in love with anyone; unless, you've know them for a rather long time. Bottom line: Wait at least, 6-8 months after you really get to know them because you don't want to scare her or him off because you can come across as needy and co-dependent and too clingy if you tell them too quickly.
  • Whenever you feel you should
  • Personally, I feel that there is never a wrong time to say I love you as long as you truely mean it and are ready for the commitment. The only question is, in turn will the partner also say I love you back and how will it effect you if the feeling is not returned.
  • There is no 'proper time' to say 'I love you.' You say it when you mean it. I've been in relationships for 6 months where I didn't feel in love, nor did I mean the words. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
  • Thats a tough one. I said it to my frog because at that moment I never felt it more, this was in September. He said it to me Christmas Day for the first time ever. I don't believe you can put a time limit on something you feel...it's something you will know.
  • FOREVER! You should never tell anyone you Love them, it'll only be all the harder when it ends!
  • when you feel its right. if you are asking it is probably too soon. but i say, follow your heart it will never lead you astray.
  • FIrst you need to figure out what you mean when you say "I love you". What will that mean to them. If it's a woman, usually she's thinking it means,"I love you forever. You are part of my heart. You ARE my heart". If she shares your feelings. SO be careful when you say it but if you truly mean it, don't hesitate. If she rerally loves you, too, she won't run or at least not far. If she doesn't love you or she leaves forever, then at least you know now and not when the hurt could be worse. Say it when you mean it, when she/he can see it in your eyes.
  • Tell your ready to say it without an agenda.
  • Well basically, you should wait until you're sure you love them. There's no timeframe on that - could be a few months, could be years, it really varies from couple to couple. If you're asking this, I'd suggest you don't love the person yet as you would know... so don't tell them.
  • If you are asking the question, you may be unsure and should probably wait. You will know when to say it, or just wait until the other party says it first that way you don't stir anything up.
  • I say wait at least 6 months to let the newness wear off. You may feel differently in 6 months and won't have to regret saying it if it does.
  • If I am with someone, I would hope you wouldn't say you Love them... they're with ME! Anyway... I think the question started asking us what we would do, then switched to what you would do... Love takes time to develop. The feelings at first are infatuation and take time to develop into love. When you see no flaws... it's infatuation... but when you see flaws and find them to be ok, and add to her as a person rather than detract... that's love. When you find yourself seeing something and saying, I think she'd find that funny, cute, etc, or when you go somewhere and feel like it would have been more fun with her... you are in love. When you look at her and you can't help but smile and have the urge to have her close by, and the words creep to the tip of your tongue... that's when you let them out. Don't force them, they will get there.
  • if you really do love em, say it WHENEVER, even if its the first nite
  • I have been in a relationship for 6 months now, the person I am with is amazing and I think I love him very much, the only problem is I can't tell him. I was never a romantic - don't do romantic walks/meals or movie going and I hadn't been in a relationship for a long time. I was a bit hesitant to start of proper relationship and had several flings that were meaningless. The problem I have now is, do I tell this guy I love him because I have a burning desire to, or, because I am scared of what he'll say, wait for him to say it to me?
  • It is different for everyone and every relationship... you will know in your heart when its time. Could be within a month or could be 6 months or longer. For me, I believe it was about 2-3 months. But you'll just know, no questions asked.
  • Fourteen days, three hours, fifteen minutes and forty five seconds. .. .. Just do it as soon as you know.
  • Whenever, but you should only have to say it once. It smothers a good relationship.
  • Until you know for sure. You wouldn't want to lead someone on. That would be cruel.
  • until you really do love them . If you do , tell them .
  • When you feel you know each other well enough and you feel the time is right without frightening the other person off.
  • More than five minutes, but less than five years. It's actually subjective ... I find, however, from personal experience, that between 8 and 12 months is a meaningful application of the phrase :-)
  • Wait until you want to say it. Then wait until you are sure it's love. Then wait until you think they feel it back.
  • I never say ilu. I have said I love you, though.
  • You should always tell those you love all the time. It might be the last time you see them so make sure they know it.

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