Thread: Difference between "like" and "love"

From reading throught the "relationship thread" I started to wonder what love and like really is.
Well, "like" I can explain. But what is "love"? It's not something you can touch, see, or smell.. so it's hard to describe it. Even harder to know what it *actually* is.

"When you like someone, you like him/her because he/she makes you happy. It's basically self-indulgence.
But when you truly love someone, you are willing to sacrifice everything for that person.
You no longer care whether you're happy or not, as long as that person is happy."

This is how my friend explained it.
I personally don't really know what "love" is.
Although from time to time I might have thought I had it all figured out, now I'm a bit lost.


What do you think?
Share your thoughts/ideas. Compare the terms, discuss.
But try to keep it a bit serious. I didn't make this thread as a joke.

good question, i remember in my phil. class last year, the teacher made a good point where love is almost like manipulation, hard to distinguish the two since they closely resemble each other. were as like is almost just being content but not satisfied. thats like a whole semester of philosophy class packed in a couple of sentences. i have my own opinions too but i gtg to class bu ill explain why he said that later.

Originally Posted by csuti

From reading throught the "relationship thread" I started to wonder what love and like really is.
Well, "like" I can explain. But what is "love"? It's not something you can touch, see, or smell.. so it's hard to describe it. Even harder to know what it *actually* is.

"When you like someone, you like him/her because he/she makes you happy. It's basically self-indulgence.
But when you truly love someone, you are willing to sacrifice everything for that person.
You no longer care whether you're happy or not, as long as that person is happy."

This is how my friend explained it.
I personally don't really know what "love" is.
Although from time to time I might have thought I had it all figured out, now I'm a bit lost.


What do you think?
Share your thoughts/ideas. Compare the terms, discuss.
But try to keep it a bit serious. I didn't make this thread as a joke.

So who's your crush? [/reading between the lines]

Love is one of those things that you can't really explain. It's something you just know and i agree that love and like are so close that many times people do get them mixed up. Well, they mistaken "like" for "love," that's why there are so many divorces and bf/gf break ups. But i mean csuti, yeah ur friend is right. Your willing to do anything to make sure the other peson is happy.

(kinda going off on a tangent) but i believe here in the US, "love" is such an over used word, that i don't believe many americans don't truly capture the essence and definition of the word "love." Imo, "love" is such a strong word, that should only be used when you know you "love" someone. I myself have such a hard time saying it, since it has such a bigger meaning to me. To like friends and things, i do love them, but i say it in another way, since "love" is such a hard thing to say. For example, i say like, "take care man" or to like a girl, "Smile!" or "keep smiling" after a conversation or so. Too many times i hear it used in regular use, that i guess to me they lose the essence of "love."
Dunno, sorry for ranting like that.

If I real like someone - I might start to date with her and see if there is any future to it
- If there is no chemistry between us at all, then we will just stay friends
- If the "very like" becomes "love"..well, obvious.

So like might be the pre-step for love - it's all about the decisions you make...

Originally Posted by deuce22

(kinda going off on a tangent) but i believe here in the US, "love" is such an over used word, that i don't believe many americans don't truly capture the essence and definition of the word "love." Imo, "love" is such a strong word, that should only be used when you know you "love" someone. I myself have such a hard time saying it, since it has such a bigger meaning to me. To like friends and things, i do love them, but i say it in another way, since "love" is such a hard thing to say. For example, i say like, "take care man" or to like a girl, "Smile!" or "keep smiling" after a conversation or so. Too many times i hear it used in regular use, that i guess to me they lose the essence of "love."
Dunno, sorry for ranting like that.

I would totally agree with that statement. However as for the original question I would agree that they are really close.

I would say that liking something/someone would mean you're content with said thing but could do without it. However if you truly love something/someone then to be without it would cause you grief/pain.

Originally Posted by 98abaile

So who's your crush? [/reading between the lines]

hahaha isn't it obvious?! and it's a tad bit more then just a crush ;P

Originally Posted by deuce22

(kinda going off on a tangent) but i believe here in the US, "love" is such an over used word, that i don't believe many americans don't truly capture the essence and definition of the word "love." Imo, "love" is such a strong word, that should only be used when you know you "love" someone. I myself have such a hard time saying it, since it has such a bigger meaning to me. To like friends and things, i do love them, but i say it in another way, since "love" is such a hard thing to say. For example, i say like, "take care man" or to like a girl, "Smile!" or "keep smiling" after a conversation or so. Too many times i hear it used in regular use, that i guess to me they lose the essence of "love."
Dunno, sorry for ranting like that.

coudn't agree with you more. "love" is indeed overused. it turned into some kind of "hey you're my friend" kind of thing. hence all the "luv" "wuv" "lub" words that were born from it. people don't take it seriously anymore.

This reminds me of a song,
those three words,
they are said too much.
they are not enough.
(Snow Patrol)

anyway, yes I think many people confuse "like" with "love" and when they realize, woops it's too late. It's best to wait, and make sure you really do love a person. Only then tell them so.
But I believe, if you love a person, and they love you back, you don't have to put into words how you feel about them, because they know it anyway. mmm "connection" ..? =P

Originally Posted by meatwad666

However if you truly love something/someone then to be without it would cause you grief/pain.

hmm ... interesting way of looking at it.

Originally Posted by deuce22

(kinda going off on a tangent) but i believe here in the US, "love" is such an over used word, that i don't believe many americans don't truly capture the essence and definition of the word "love." Imo, "love" is such a strong word, that should only be used when you know you "love" someone. I myself have such a hard time saying it, since it has such a bigger meaning to me. To like friends and things, i do love them, but i say it in another way, since "love" is such a hard thing to say. For example, i say like, "take care man" or to like a girl, "Smile!" or "keep smiling" after a conversation or so. Too many times i hear it used in regular use, that i guess to me they lose the essence of "love."
Dunno, sorry for ranting like that.

I agree, the word love (in a relationship term) is over used, especially in the US. There was this one time, my ex, want me to say the word love for her, as it might sound easy, but I couldn't do it, not because I'm shy or whatever, but saying that would be lying to my self and to her, It's not that I don't "love" her, but I think it should be used in more appropriate time or condition, but I told her that I do care about her and I can say something else that are stronger than care and almost equivalent to love, which is in indonesian, (I don't know the english word for it.)

Ahhh- Csuti's in love!
<3<3

And love doesn't have one set meaning.
But personally, I think a person with you makes a chore into a joy, you have something close to it.

It's the feeling every morning before you wake up that you can open your eyes to see that person. Providing they fell asleep beside you.

You start to feel insane jealousy when someone else talks to them.
Just kidding.

Love is pretty much over exagerrated, I reckon.
Even if I was in or out of love I wouldn't notice for quite a while.

I mean, how deep would you have to like someone to be counted as love?

P.s. YES! Someone else likes Snow Patrol!

P.p.s. Is it true that a tongue piercing = better job?

A friend I know got a tongue piercing, and suddenly all the guys are after her 0o'

Originally Posted by Quiraikotsu

Ahhh- Csuti's in love!
<3<3

hey hey. no one said anything about csuti being in love. =P
just something I was interested in asking.

Originally Posted by Quiraikotsu

And love doesn't have one set meaning.
But personally, I think a person with you makes a chore into a joy, you have something close to it.

It's the feeling every morning before you wake up that you can open your eyes to see that person. Providing they fell asleep beside you.

You start to feel insane jealousy when someone else talks to them.
Just kidding.

Love is pretty much over exagerrated, I reckon.
Even if I was in or out of love I wouldn't notice for quite a while.

I mean, how deep would you have to like someone to be counted as love?

"providing" indeed. =P too bad if they live across the globe. hehe.


I mean, how deep would you have to like someone to be counted as love?

yeah, exactly. where's the border-line between like and love?
or more like, when do you know you passed it.

P.s. YES! Someone else likes Snow Patrol!

yeahh!!!!! <3

P.p.s. Is it true that a tongue piercing = better job?

A friend I know got a tongue piercing, and suddenly all the guys are after her 0o'

uhh ... what's that got anything to do with the topic. lol.
and ew. tongue piercings are just messed up, imo. no offence.