When someone says, “I love you,” and you’re not ready—or simply don’t feel the same way—how you respond matters. There are some responses, though, that should definitely be avoided. An AskReddit thread recently posed the question, and the internet was quick to share some cringe-worthy, awkward, and downright painful examples.
We all know that no one is obligated to say “I love you” back, and there are plenty of valid reasons not to. Maybe you’re unsure of your feelings, you’re not ready to say it, or perhaps you just don’t feel the same way. But while silence might be better than an insincere “I love you too,” some responses are just plain brutal.
For example, it’s widely known that in The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo’s iconic “I know” in response to Princess Leia’s confession of love was an ad lib by Harrison Ford. And while it’s a little cocky, it’s still miles better than some of these nightmare replies. Ready to cringe?
- “Take it back.” Ouch. Whether it’s a denial or a plea to pretend it never happened, this response from Reddit user PNWTacoParty is as painful as it gets.
- The Pointed Response: “Okay.” Short, sharp, and devastatingly indifferent. Reddit user Monosyllabic offered this one, and the name says it all.
- “I’m sorry.” An apology might sound gentle, but without context, it leaves a lot open to interpretation. Whether it means “I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the same,” or “I’m sorry you fell for me,” it stings all the same.
- “We need to break up.” Sometimes, a declaration of love reveals just how far apart two people are. This response might be the nail in the relationship’s coffin, and it’s easy to see why it made the list.
In short, if you’re not ready to reciprocate, there are more graceful ways to handle the situation. But whatever you do, avoid these responses if you want to spare some feelings!
