At one point or another, we have to try to convince people of certain things, and depending on how strongly they hold to their beliefs or how convincing you might sound, they might reply with “I will believe it when I see it”.
When someone says that they will believe it when they see it, it means that no matter how much you try to convince them, they would believe it if they can see physical proof.
For example, if you are trying to convince someone of how high a mountain or how big an object is, they might think you are exaggerating and believe it only when they see it with their eyes.
Now that we have got that down, let’s see possible responses to this statement. I have a range of them all compiled.
17 Best Responses to “I’ll Believe It When I See It”
Depending on what you want from them, you can say, “You can trust me on this one” to convince them, or “You have a point there” if you are ready to indulge them and show them proof.
Here’s the rest:
- In this day and age?
- Well seeing is not always believing
- It is more a case of feeling than seeing
- Alright, Thomas. Would you like to feel it too?
- If you say so
- You have a point there
- And yet things aren’t always what they appear to be
- You still won’t believe me even if you see proof
- And you shall see it, my lord!
- It might be too late then
- I understand your skepticism but there is really no need to worry
- Come on. Give me a chance
- Omg, you are so old school
- I love your convictions on these things. It inspires me
- You can trust me on this one
- Feeling is truth
- Try to be more open-minded. There are things you can encounter or feel that you do not have to see
In this day and age?
Day and age refers to the present time so this rhetorical question is a way to tell them that their way of thinking where what you see is real is not the best. It’s telling them that times have changed from that traditional way of thinking and they have to change with it too.
It might be that they are not too keen on change, modern trends, or technology, but you would have to let them know that the old system may not always work for them.
Well seeing is not always believing
And this is indeed true. You can’t always see everything and what happens when you miss something, or you only catch a glimpse? Also, when you are trying to let someone know about something, it might not be about the physical sight.
In the case of making someone see the truth in something, they might not realize or recognize it because they have closed their minds to it. It might be hard to convince them of this but if you have some solid examples they might listen to you.
Fun fact, did you know that this seeing was created by Pastor Martin Luther King Jr? Well now you do.
It is more a case of feeling than seeing
Although this depends on what you are trying to show the person, it is true. For example, you can see injustice and hatred through the actions of people but you will agree that you feel them more than you can see them.
In a situation like that, there will be no physical proof per se and it just depends on if they are sensitive enough to pick out these things. In the case of truth, it is more of understanding and feeling, than seeing.
Alright, Thomas. Would you like to feel it too?
This sarcastic remark is also hilarious. We all should have heard of doubting Thomas, a disciple of Jesus Christ who refused to believe that Christ had risen unless he saw him and put his finger through the holes in his palms and feet
It wasn’t until he had felt the holes and seen the risen Christ that he did believe. With this story, asking someone if they too would like to feel the proof they are asking for is telling them that you are not impressed with their reply.
If you say so
Normally most people can use this to agree and prevent any argument but in this case, you can use it if you really do have proof and there would be no hassle showing them.
Agree with them and show them later on. They will believe you and maybe next time take your word for it. Besides, if you can show them proof, there is no need to argue.
You can make them more wary and skeptical and even after they do see proof they might reluctantly and grudgingly agree.
You have a point there
Still, on the friendly civil path, you can just use this to agree with them. After all, if we are being honest, it is not every time that what we say is entirely believable, no matter how true it is.
Also, in a world with some much lying and deceit, I think it’s okay if they don’t immediately give that benefit of the doubt. Maybe after two or three encounters, they won’t hesitate to take whatever you say seriously with no iota of doubt.
And yet things aren’t always what they appear to be
For someone so bent on using what they see to live their life, you can tell them this. Things aren’t what they appear. You might be told something or a situation can be forged to resemble something and with that, you can easily be misled.
There’s also the problem of controversial issues where there isn’t really a right or wrong and the best solution at the time is what should be chosen. With all this, more intellect and brainwork should be used than plain sight.
You still won’t believe me even if you see proof
Letting your emotions get in the way of argument or negotiation can be terrible and this reply depicts just that. While it is not the best response that presents you as confident and patient, it might work the other way around.
A response like this can make them wonder what exactly it is that makes whatever the topic of discussion so special that you are bent on convincing them and giving in. See? It’s in your favor.
On the other hand, it might be a way to show you are tired and exasperated and you can leave.
And you shall see it, my lord!
Either as a joke or as a sarcastic remark these can be funny. Remember the story of the doubting Thomas? Using this reply tells them that they are Thomases and calling them my lord is giving the title of the risen Christ to the Thomas to show that you will do anything for them just so that they will believe.
It’s witty and funny but if it won’t sit well with the person you are speaking to, it’s best you go for another realization on the list.
It might be too late then
Hopefully, it’s not a life-or-death situation. This response is a good way to scare them to consider what you are saying and take you much more seriously.
If the reason for their response is worrying about it being false then you can tell them this to get them to think again. Also, if they think they can just put it off till later, then you can tell them this to cajole them to make up their minds faster.
When you use this reply however, keep in mind that you must not overdo it so you don’t worry about them ignoring it completely.
For example, if you are trying to convince someone to pay for a time-bound deal and he says he doesn’t believe it, making him worry about the time can drop him altogether because of the pressure. Especially if he doesn’t have the money.
I understand your skepticism but there is really no need to worry
If you are trying to convince someone on business, especially a new venture, they might actually have good reasons to be skeptical. In this situation, you really don’t need to be sarcastic or rude to them but allay their fears and worries.
A response like this should do the trick. Let them speak, understand them, and try to give them more reasons that will convince them.
Come on. Give me a chance
This is very similar to the one above, the difference however is you use this response for someone you are very familiar with, say your friends, partner, and so on.
Here you are pleading with them because whatever it is you want them to believe is so important, so important that you do have to beg them.
If making them a promise will make them believe you, go for it just make sure it is something you can do and not something that will stress or be difficult for you to carry out.
Omg, you are so old school
You can use this to harmlessly tease someone, say people who are older than you that you are very friendly with, for example, your mum. You can tell them how boring it is.
When you use this response because make sure that you don’t go overboard so you don’t upset anyone. Then take your time to explain and convince them of something.
If it is not something you want to convince them of or something that isn’t a big deal to you, you can leave them be.
I love your convictions on these things. It inspires me
It is admirable to see someone hold their beliefs, values, and principles so tightly. They can’t easily be swayed or deceived. While it might be bad in some cases it works for them most of them and they are hardly going to be led wrong.
In this case, you are just going to have to show them proof. They will be pleased that you respect their convictions and will be more open to you.
You can trust me on this one
Reassurance makes people feel better about things that they are skeptical about or have doubts about. If you are someone that means a lot to them your reassurance will go a long way in convincing them instead of making fun of them or arguing with them
It will be better to empty promises that others make and they will actually take you very seriously.
But feeling is truth
What many people don’t know about most saying is that they are incomplete. This is not an exception. The full saying was made by Thomas Fuller, an English clergyman in the 17th century is: seeing is believing but truth is feeling”.
Even though the two sayings aren’t the same, they carry the same message and hence the whole saying should be known.
This response will puzzle many but when you explain to them, they will understand that there is more to things than the eye meets (another saying).
Try to be more open-minded. There are things you can encounter or feel that you do not have to see
Although this is the longest reply it is very effective. It’s another way to get rid of any worries they might harbor to disappear. Besides speaking nicely to someone never did any harm, especially in a case like this.
You can also talk it out with them and listen to what exactly makes them have this belief.
Conclusion
We were to focus on responses but I am pretty sure you got more from this article than just Responses. In all, be sure to use these responses the right way and be patient to get feedback. Got more ideas for responses? Share them below.