How to respond to I don't care

When someone tells you that they don’t’ care, they are basically saying that they are not interested in the topic you are discussing and it is basically not relevant to them. They are telling you to either change the subject or shut up.

If they are a smart ass teenager, they will probably say, “I don’t care!” with attitude and contempt. If you are talking about a trivial conversation like what’s for dinner it’s not a big deal. If you are talking about a subject that is pretty important to you, it is really offensive to hear someone tell you that they don’t care.

Actions actually speak louder than words, you can always tell what people think of you by their actions towards you. Whenever someone is a jerk to me I always think I have less obligation towards them. I don’t have to be polite and listen to them warble on about rubbish anymore.

How you answer depends on who says it to you, and how they say it.We have some great snarky comebacks to stop them in their tracks. Let us know what you think is the best answer in the comments below.

15 Best comebacks to I don’t care

1. Do not summon my inner bitch. She doesn’t play nice.

2. Be aware that I don’t care that you don’t care.

3. A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You can’t go anywhere until you change it.

4. You would think with all of your multiple personalities, at least one would be likeable!

5. That’s alright, the feeling is mutual.

6. It shows that you don’t care but you really should.

7. Well, I care enough for the both of us.

8. If you really didn’t care then why did you bother to respond?

9. Am I supposed to care that you don’t care?

10. I want you to know someone cares, not me, but someone.

11. I’m sorry but you must have mistaken me with someone who cares.

12. I’m sorry that I seem to have given you the impression that I cared.

13. I appreciate your honest answer. Can we find a way to discuss the issue?

14. I get that we have different view points, but I still appreciate your opinion. Can you share why you don’t care?

15. I understand that you don’t care, but this is important to me and my life and I would really appreciate your support right now.

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Why do people say I don’t care

Don’t you think it’s rude that someone tells you that they don’t care? It doesn’t only come off as dismissive, but it also makes anyone feel less. That’s why if you can manage, you should avoid saying it.

Here are the possible reasons why people may say “I don’t care’” right when you’re about to say something groundbreaking. Oh no, don’t say you don’t care, read it and learn.

1. Lack of interest

They are not interested, that simple. When people don’t care about a certain situation or subject, they don’t spend time dealing with it.

They’re thinking: Time is a personal investment that should only be spent on things that matter. Therefore, being indifferent to things that don’t pique their interest makes actual sense.

2. Emotional defense mechanism

Things are a lot easier to avoid if you just say that you couldn’t care less. In a sense, it serves as your protection, from any psychological attack or potential emotional pain.

3. Communication breakdown

Saying “I don’t care” can also be a sign of a communication breakdown. When communication fails and there’s no exchange of information, it’s a lot easier to show zero interest.

By detaching yourself from the conversation altogether, you are saving your feelings of not being heard and being misunderstood.

4. Passive-aggressive behavior

When you want to express your negative feelings about a topic but just can’t openly do it, you resolve the issue by saying “I don’t care.”

Yes, it can be a form of passive-aggressive behavior. Instead of explaining your lengthy disapproval and risk being called out, it’s more emotionally convenient to not confront the issue directly. Hence, your dismissive reply, “I don’t care.”

Before your emotions get the best of you when someone says “I don’t care,” it’s important to understand the underlying reasons behind such a statement.

However, if it becomes a constant issue that results in your relationship and communication breakdown, it may help to address the real cause behind it and work towards a solution together.

How to deal with people who say I don’t care

It’s not easy dealing with people who constantly cut you off with “I don’t care.”

But since you may have to converse with them anyway, here are some strategies that can help ease your raging emotions.

1. Clarify the situation

When you ask a question, and someone replies, “I don’t care,” don’t go off just yet, ask them what they mean.

Why don’t they care? Do they have a more pressing concern you should know about? If you can clarify the situation, you can find a way to handle it best.

2. Validate their feelings

People have different opinions on every subject. So, even if you don’t agree with someone, it’s necessary to still validate their feelings.

If they’re not interested or invested in the situation as you would have liked, choose to understand and let them know about it.

3. Find common ground

Do you know about the common ground approach? In dealing with the “I don’t care” situation, you can try finding a shared interest that you both can connect on.

When you concentrate on the things that you have in common, you can see eye to eye. This can help you feel at ease, build rapport with someone and eventually develop a more positive relationship.

4. Address the underlying issue

If saying “I don’t care” becomes a habit in your conversations, perhaps, there’s an underlying deeper issue that needs to be addressed.

Try to find the root cause of the problem and together, work towards a solution that benefits both parties.

5. Set boundaries

When your feelings or thoughts are constantly getting dismissed with “I don’t care,” you should take the step of setting boundaries.

You should be able to create a line where your limits lie. Whether it’s your friend, family or co-workers, it’s okay to limit your interactions with them and put them in a certain place to protect your well-being.

Everyone’s opinion is valid — why? For the reason that we have our own experiences that mold our unique perspective.

With that, even if someone sees a situation totally different from your own, you should learn to understand and respect it. 

What to say when a person tells you that they don't care

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When you are dealing with a person who says that they don’t care and you find it stressful, consider getting support from a professional. Talking to a counselor is a great way to work through a challenging situation, and help you find some strategies to work through the person’s behaviour.

Better Help is a great resource where you can talk to a counselor from the comfort of your own home. 

Taking care of your own needs isn’t selfish, and you will feel better in the long run.

Got any comments, questions or tips for dealing with someone who tells you that they don’t care? Share them in the comments below.

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17 Comments

  1. Heres a good 1: I never asked you to care. All I’m saying is all your problems that I have to care about. Wish it was easy for me to forget abt too.

  2. Here’s one when you don’t give a sh*t !

    I Google ” Who gives a sh*t?”

    My name wasn’t in the results.

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