Indeed, I've always felt baffled by how easy is for Americans to
say they "love" something, even the most profane thing. It
cheapens the hell out of it, if you ask me.
Swedes my age that I know - friends and relatives - would only use that expression to sweethearts, partners, husband/wives. We are gradually getting 'Americanised' though and young people here say that to almost anyone they like.
And they often say 'I love you' - not 'Jag älskar dej'. 🙂
No, only with my parents and my significant other. I've said it quite few times
in my life, to be honest. I mean, I love Ben & Jerry's, sure, but I don't love Ben & Jerry's, if you know what I mean 😀
Originally posted by lolof We are gradually getting 'Americanised' though and young people here say that to almost anyone they like.
A shame, really. Cultural imperialism would be explainable from a strong, rich
society in intellectual terms, but when it is a weak, dumbed down one, and
pushed through wealth, it kind of hurts. Damn be money and its power.
Indeed, I've always felt baffled by how easy is for Americans to
say they "love" something, even the most profane thing. It
cheapens the hell out of it, if you ask me.
In the culture of the United Kingdom five hundred years ago, I believe the words "I love you" expressed by a young man to a young woman were viewed as trifling with her affections. "Cherish" was then the most authentic and meaningful word for romantic love which today has morphed into charity and charitable. One of my own favorite feminine first names is Cheryl along with other feminine names which contain the upper and/or lower case letters L/l or M/n or N/n.