How to respond when someone says they like you? It can feel uncomfortable or maybe exciting when someone tells you that they like you. Your response can have a short-term or long-term effect on either of you – either positively or negatively.
So how should you respond when someone says they like you? The three basic examples of how to respond are as follows:
- “Thank you”
- “I like you too!”
- “I’m sorry, but I don’t think of you that way.”
If you like them back, you can say, “I like you too.” If you feel otherwise, you could say, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think of you that way.” A safe, neutral response, whether you like the person or not, is by saying a sincere “Thank you.”
There are several ways on how to respond when someone says they like you. It all depends on how you want your relationship or friendship to progress.
Read on to learn more about how you should respond when someone says they like you, as well as what to consider before responding.
How to Respond When Someone Says They Like You
Of course, there are no rules on how to respond; however, your reply will definitely make or break the way you treat each other. It’s also possible that your reply would make your relationship or friendship stronger. Otherwise, it could also be the last day you’d ever want to talk to each other.
So, to give you ideas on how to respond to someone who says they like you, here are my suggestions:
1. “Thank You”
When somebody tells you that they like you, there’s no better way to respond than to say, “Thank you.” Besides, it is the safest answer too.
Hearing someone say, “I like you,” is a compliment in itself. It means that someone considers you a beautiful person, both inside and out. And expressing your gratitude by politely and humbly saying “thank you” will further confirm that person’s belief that you are indeed a beautiful person.
If, after someone says, “I like you,” both of you feel awkward, then your “thank you” reply will definitely do the trick. It is guaranteed to ease some tension. Moreover, it means you didn’t get upset when someone expressed his or her admiration to you. If you currently treat each other as good friends, your polite reply means that you have no plans to end your friendship with him or her.
“Thank You” Doesn’t Mean “I Like You Too”
We may consider a simple “thank you” as the best reply. But it doesn’t always mean that it connotes positivity. While expressing your gratitude may mean, “I like you too, and I want to take our friendship to the next level,” it may also mean otherwise.
Suffice it to say that the person who likes us should not jump to conclusions when they hear us say “thank you.”
Basically, “thank you” is a mere introduction to your reply. It’s a polite answer when you don’t know what else to say. Maybe you are still unsure if you want to enter into a serious relationship or maintain a friendship. Or perhaps, you’re not sure if you even want that person to be a part of your life.
So, saying “thank you” reflects how good a person you are. Moreover, it gives you some time to process the scenario. You don’t have to give a detailed answer right there and then. But, at least, you are not shutting the person off.
2. “I Like You Too!”
What if you also like the person who admits his or her true feelings for you? How would you respond?
Well, there’s nothing wrong with professing your feelings of admiration towards the other person. This is particularly true if you already knew from the start that your friendship would eventually lead to a serious relationship. In this case, you most likely have established a strong friendship and that you’re already comfortable with each other.
But in some cases, you need to think things through first. While you maybe 100 percent certain that you like the person, you nonetheless want to be sure whether or not you’re ready to be in a serious relationship. In which case, you don’t have to admit your feelings for him or her right there and then.
Perhaps, you may respond by saying, “Thank you! But I need time to process this. Maybe we can talk about this some other time?”
3. “I’m Sorry, but I Don’t Think of You That Way”
In life, we will meet a person who seems to be too good to be true. That someone may look like an ideal long-term partner or an answer to every person’s dream. But no matter how ideal that person maybe, you just can’t imagine yourself being in a serious relationship with that person. And if that’s the case, saying “Thank you. But I’m sorry, I don’t think of you that way” is one of the most polite responses you could give.
Of course, if you have a better way of saying it, then feel free to say it. The important thing is to respond politely. You can’t guarantee that your response will not offend the other person no matter how polite you say it. But then, it’s always better to be sincere. This is particularly true if you know in your heart that being in a serious relationship with that person is the farthest thing from your mind.
So if you are wondering how to respond when a guy says he likes you or how to respond when a girl says she likes you, use one of the above responses. Next, let’s look at the different factors to consider before you respond.
Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated: Meaning
Factors to Consider Before Responding
I have been mentioning how important it is to be polite when responding. But aside from politeness, there are two other factors you need to consider before you respond. First is honesty, and the second is time.
1. Give an Honest Reply
What if you don’t really like the person, but you don’t have the heart to reject him or her? Or you’re simply the type of person who can’t say “no.” So, you’d rather say you like them back even if you feel otherwise. Do you think that kind of decision is fair? And do you even think it would do both of you any good?
Don’t feel obliged to say what the other person wants to hear simply because you don’t want them to get hurt. Offending them now — and offending them once — is better than forcing yourself to be in a relationship you don’t really want. The thing you wouldn’t want to happen is to hurt someone over and over again.
2. Time to Think Things Over
When you tell the person that you need time to process everything, make sure that you mean it. Make sure that you will truly find time to think about it and make your final decision.
In most cases, we think about things like this before we go to sleep. It’s the time when nobody bothers us. And it’s when we have all the time to concentrate and ponder.
As soon as you find the right time to think things through, be honest with yourself. Admit how you currently feel towards the other person. Do you want to engage in a serious relationship with that person? Or do you want to simply maintain your friendship? Remember that you are assessing your current feelings. Don’t be confused between what you feel and what you should feel.
How to Respond When Someone Says They Like You via Text
Not everyone has the guts to say “I like you” in person. We admire those who can. But don’t we also feel the sincerity of those who prefer to say it via SMS? Come to think of it — we might even prefer it that way.
If someone tells you face-to-face that he likes you, it’s kind of hard to keep a straight face. But if someone tells it to you via SMS, there’s no need to conceal your emotions. However, that is not always the case. For example, if you are in a public place, you have to make sure he’s not in the area. For all you know, he could see you — and is intently watching your reaction.
So, how to respond when a guy says he likes you via text? Or, how to respond when a girl says she likes you via text? Well, you may reply in the same manner as you would if you are face-to-face with the person.
- Whether or not you like the person, your initial reply must always be “Thank you.”
- If you like the person, then there’s no reason not to say, “I like you too.”
- And if you feel otherwise, you may reply by texting, “I don’t think of you that way.”
- If you are unsure, tell the person, “I need some time to think about this” or “I need some time to process this.” Tell them politely that you want to talk about it some other time.
- Whatever your response may be, always be polite and honest.
I personally believe it’s easier to respond if the conversation is via SMS, FB Messenger, WhatsApp, or any other similar platform. The reason is that these messaging platforms give us time to compose our replies. At the same time, aren’t we glad that emojis were invented? Whatever we can’t say in words, we can express them using emojis!
How Do You Respond When a Guy Texts Hey?
The Consequence
When we make complex decisions, we should always anticipate the consequences. No matter what happens, we must face those repercussions. These circumstances are applicable in life in general — and our love life is not even an exemption.
If a guy or girl who says “I like you” is a friend of yours, there is a higher risk of ruining your friendship. This condition applies if you don’t see that person as an intimate partner. If you only think of them as your friend and you straightforwardly admit this to them, the chances are that it’ll be the last time you’d ever speak to each other.
Well, this is a possible scenario, but I am not saying that it happens all the time. For all you know, this might not happen to you. But it’s better to anticipate it too.
Now, if you also like the person and you decide to take your relationship to the next level, there’s still a risk to it. The reason is that we don’t know what the future holds. You are not sure if the relationship will last forever. And if it doesn’t, the chances are that the friendship you once cherished would forever be lost.
But then again, in everything we do, there are always risks attached to it. That’s why when making decisions, let’s choose the option where we will find happiness. Let’s choose the option in which fewer people get hurt.
How to Respond to Thinking of You Text from a Girl
Conclusion – How to Respond When Someone Says They Like You
So, to recap, how are you supposed to respond when someone says they like you? If someone says they like you, you can respond with the following three examples:
- “Thank you”
- “I like you too!”
- “I’m sorry, but I don’t think of you that way.”
If you like them back, you may say, “I like you too.” If you feel otherwise, you may say, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think of you that way.” But the best way to reply of all, whether you like the person back or not, is a sincere, “Thank you.”
Expressing your gratitude shows how good a person you are. At the same time, saying “thank you” also means that you don’t have to provide a direct answer yet. You have the time to think things over. To the other person, your answer may be vague. But the main thing is that you acknowledged what the other person told you.
No matter what your decision is, always bear in mind to be polite and honest. If your reply isn’t favorable to the other person, expect your answer to cause hurt. But it’s better that way than to make the wrong decision.
“I like you” are such simple words, and yet they are not easy to say. It’s also not easy to respond or react to it. But being in this situation means you are taking part in a beautiful human experience. So, cherish it.
Read next:
What to Say When a Guy Asks What You Are Looking for in a Partner
