Is it Ever Inappropriate to Say "I Love You?"

Those three words can mean so much when they are said with sincerity. The person saying "I love you" can express their depth of emotion for their significant other, children, parents or others in their close social circle whom they care deeply about. But are there any occasions when it would be inappropriate to say "I love you?" This article will look at some occasions when it might not be the appropriate time to give vent to your feelings.

On a First Date

Many people believe in "love at first sight", but the truth of the matter is that it is very difficult to love a person you hardly know. Finishing off a first date with "I love you" can cause an awkward silence and it may make the person hearing the remark wonder if they will have to worry about hearing wedding bells after the first week. It can kill a relationship before it has even had a chance to get going.

When Dropping Your Teenager Off at School

We have all seen the loving mother who faithfully drops her children off at school every morning. But there are some parents who will cause their children great embarrassment as they drop them off. The classic example would be 15 year old Freddie who is not yet able to drive. He relies on his mother to take him to school and pick him up again afterwards. But as he gets out of the car, his mother leans over, tells Freddie how much she loves him and then plants a kiss on his cheek, all in front of his friends. Open displays of affection in front of school friends can be highly embarrassing for teenagers. While they love their parents, they do not want to be viewed as a child in front of their peers. After all, many have a "reputation" to maintain!

In Front of Work Colleagues

A professional man whose wife has come to visit him at work will have certain professional standards he has to maintain and one such standard would exclude open displays of affection from his wife. Expressions of love and affection are appropriate at home without the prying eyes of work colleagues. But at work, a man will not want his wife telling him how much she loves him. It can detract from his professional image and make some colleagues lose some respect for him.