"I love you" in Polish culture...

Say it more sparingly than you think it because it can bite you back. In any language. The words are different, but there's always a phrase or sentence that means just that, and it should be taken with care and caution. I'd love another cup of coffee. But then I could also murder another cup of coffee. There is more than one kind of love. There werer allegedly about three different words used in the Bible in the Greek from which much of it was translated, all translated into the word "love", but meaning slightly different things. The love I have for coffee is not the same as the love I could have for... sigh!

Ummm i think that polish culture does restrict the saying alot.
My polish boyfriend told me that this was only used under very deep-feeling circumstances and i havnt heard him say it to anyone but me.

He wont even say it to his family members because it means that much to him.

I am of english/american parents and i can tell you that they do say it alot because to them its not such an important thing. Its just slightly stronger than 'like'

I joke around telling people i love them but i know i dont,, and they know it too and i want to change. The polish view is alot better as you know when they say it, they mean it. And that's what them words are meant to be about (:

P.s Does anyone know of any kinda polish lessons in the norwich, UK Area? I really want to learn the language as now half my family is polish and its frustrating when i cant understand. :P

I think it should be restricted for very few people, and also get creeped out if a family member tells me they love me. It's not to be used lightly, definitely.

I think its just how you interpret the same meaning in different languages. Kocham cię seems like it is expressive of familial love or spousal love. In the US we use love like that. We also use love to mean extreme liking of something. There is no differential in our language. Maybe in Polish there is a word to mean extreme liking? Well in the US we use love for both. But when you say I love you there is the tone taken into account. It is easy, for me at least, to listen to tone and understand the difference when my friend says i love you to me or kocham cię to her mom. They mean to different things. We just use love for both in America. Words often get lost in translation, yes? :D

And whoever said


"Sapphire" we most certainly do not say that to any kind of server in any restaurant. And I can assure you that not all Americans are fat, lazy and stupid. We do not all eat McDonalds daily. That stereotype is awful and not representitve of our country on the whole. :( So please dont continue it.

The "American" is exactly right on all points. I think this "translation" problem is the same with other Slavic (and other) languages. "Mám Tě rád" in Czech is very strong and is even used with significant others/family members. "Miluju Tě" is like "Kocham cię" in that it is to be used only sparingly and only with family. In American English, there is no way to distinguish. It doesn't mean the people are idiots. It just means in the language, they're both translated "I love you". No language translates exactly to any other language.

I've heard something like this a lot from my friend. Is this an epidemic? I think there are variables when it comes to love.

For example:
If I say I love my new stereo system...it doesn't mean I'll die for that system or that I'm losing my mind over the system or that I'm attracted to my system or that I want to spend the rest of my life with my stereo. It's just an expression.

Now, if I was on a romantic island vacation with my girlfriend and I wake her up with roses, breakfast in bed and a hired violinist and say, "I love you" that is totally different.

Don't read too much into the vocalization of I love you but more into the situation when it comes up. If it comes up after sex, that person is saying...this is the best or close to the best sex I've ever had...they are not saying, I LOVE everything about you. for example.