In English, the phrase "I love you" has become a fixed expression. Among couples, it often loses its literal sense of expressing love, and instead becomes a kind of communication protocol. All too often, when we say this phrase, we do it with a slight rise at the end, almost like it's a question, and then wait for our partner to repeat it back.
Glowing Face Girl and I have come up with some neat variations for expressing affection. The first time she came up with one of these variations, GFG told me: "Say 'you love me'". I misunderstood and said, "I love you". "No," she said, "Say 'you love me'" (more emphasis on the quotation marks). The concept of this variation was so simple and yet so new and powerful I was blown away.
Here are some variations for expressing and communicating love. These aren't used as often, and thus, they still have their literal meaning, and haven't yet become "love protocol".
YOU LOVE ME
A great alternative, "you love me" expresses trust and confidence in the relationship. A great alternative to the clingy, needy nature of the usual words. Your partner can reciprocate with "you love me too" or any other variation.
I LOVE US
This is one of my favorites. When I tell my girlfriend "I love us", I'm expressing that I'm happy with us as a couple, and that I'm happy with our relationship. You can love a video game or a plate of pasta, but you can't really love your relationship with these things. This variation expresses something more unique, a kind of love you can't have for TV shows or restaurants.
WE LOVE US
For an even more potent variation on the old three-word-combo, "We love us" combines the virtues of "You love me" with those of "I love us". Not only is it an expression of affection for the entire relationship and couplehood of you and your partner, it also glows with confidence and trust.
THE OBLIGATION OF "I LOVE YOU"
Unfortunately, these words of love are often used as a kind of hostage phrase. Implicitly if we read between the lines, it goes like: "I love you,..."
"...so you have to go out with me!"
"...so you have to do things my way!"
"...so I should get away with treating you bad!"
"You love me" and "We love us", by contrast, are more of a reminder of love. They don't obligate, because your partner has the freedom to agree or disagree with them.
THE HABITUALNESS OF "I LOVE YOU"
Unfortunately, the standard expression of love has been so worn out in English that our response has become almost automatic. At the end of a conversation over the phone, your partner says "I love you" and you respond "I love you, too" without really even thinking about it. That's affection? Whip out one of these variations to worm your way through all the distractions and really send an expression of affection with impact.
FURTHER READING
Who's leading in your relationship, and who's following? Read my article Leadership In Relationships and think of some ways you can assert yourself to spice up your relationship some more.
Me? I was clueless about relationships most my life. It wasn't until I was 23 years old that I finally had enough and revolted against the momentum which was pushing me toward a life of loneliness. Read more: My Time in the Seduction Community.
For some more about how we use words and their meaning, check out, Using Words Effectively.
Glowing Face Girl and I have come up with some neat variations for expressing affection. The first time she came up with one of these variations, GFG told me: "Say 'you love me'". I misunderstood and said, "I love you". "No," she said, "Say 'you love me'" (more emphasis on the quotation marks). The concept of this variation was so simple and yet so new and powerful I was blown away.
Here are some variations for expressing and communicating love. These aren't used as often, and thus, they still have their literal meaning, and haven't yet become "love protocol".
YOU LOVE ME
A great alternative, "you love me" expresses trust and confidence in the relationship. A great alternative to the clingy, needy nature of the usual words. Your partner can reciprocate with "you love me too" or any other variation.
I LOVE US
This is one of my favorites. When I tell my girlfriend "I love us", I'm expressing that I'm happy with us as a couple, and that I'm happy with our relationship. You can love a video game or a plate of pasta, but you can't really love your relationship with these things. This variation expresses something more unique, a kind of love you can't have for TV shows or restaurants.
WE LOVE US
For an even more potent variation on the old three-word-combo, "We love us" combines the virtues of "You love me" with those of "I love us". Not only is it an expression of affection for the entire relationship and couplehood of you and your partner, it also glows with confidence and trust.
THE OBLIGATION OF "I LOVE YOU"
Unfortunately, these words of love are often used as a kind of hostage phrase. Implicitly if we read between the lines, it goes like: "I love you,..."
"...so you have to go out with me!"
"...so you have to do things my way!"
"...so I should get away with treating you bad!"
"You love me" and "We love us", by contrast, are more of a reminder of love. They don't obligate, because your partner has the freedom to agree or disagree with them.
THE HABITUALNESS OF "I LOVE YOU"
Unfortunately, the standard expression of love has been so worn out in English that our response has become almost automatic. At the end of a conversation over the phone, your partner says "I love you" and you respond "I love you, too" without really even thinking about it. That's affection? Whip out one of these variations to worm your way through all the distractions and really send an expression of affection with impact.
FURTHER READING
Who's leading in your relationship, and who's following? Read my article Leadership In Relationships and think of some ways you can assert yourself to spice up your relationship some more.
Me? I was clueless about relationships most my life. It wasn't until I was 23 years old that I finally had enough and revolted against the momentum which was pushing me toward a life of loneliness. Read more: My Time in the Seduction Community.
For some more about how we use words and their meaning, check out, Using Words Effectively.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment