like and love.

there's an important difference between "like" and "love" and i don't mean it in terms of spelling.

majority of people understand "like" as a lesser variation of "love", which is correct to a certain degree, especially when you are speaking about the two in general terms. it is, however, important to understand that "like", while being similar to "love" in sentiment, the two are not interchangeable.

examples: you love your sister but you don't like her. you love your cousin but you don't like the way he is the messiest person alive. you love english but don't like the teacher than came along with your english classes.

you get what i'm trying to get at?

perhaps that's why it is so important for some people to be liked. they don't want to be loved because, well, perhaps then they'll have to deal with expectations. with "love" comes some form of expectation but with "like".... shrug, y'know?

hm.

some popstars operate and make their living by being the object of intense "like" - which a lot of people (possibly correctly) think and therefore claim as love. "i LOVE amy winehouse - but she's having a really bad moment right now" - this is an actual quote from The Net.

does that fan really love her? what does "love" mean, here? does love translate to chances? as in, "i'm cutting you some slack"? was that what she meant?

what AM i trying to say, really?


i'm not entirely sure myself to be honest..

what i've figured out at this stage is that if i were to be with someone socially, actively pursue and maintain a relationship with that person as a friend, a family member, an acquaintance - i've got to like that person. because it's too easy to love someone without liking that someone.




...and that's sad.