Is it better to tell someone you love them when they say it or leave them hanging until you feel it?
Come on, people. This is Integrity 101. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. If you don’t love someone, don’t let them guilt you into saying “I love you” out of some misguided sense of propriety.
You’re not leaving them hanging unless they’re expecting you to return the sentiment, and if that’s the case, then they’re not really saying, “I love you.” What they’re really doing is committing little tiny acts of emotional extortion.
Don’t degrade “I love you” by surrendering it against your will. Every time you say those three words you should feel it.