You know you’re in trouble when someone begins a sentence by claiming to love something in a tone of voice that suggests they’re about to trash-talk it in the next breath. People will say something like, Hey, I love my sister, but… and then go on to describe the many ways her behavior and personality are objectionable.  

The I love opener is a conversational drumroll announcing the imminent arrival of something insulting, offensive, mean-spirited, or socially unacceptable. I love vegetarians, some people will say, and then go on to describe (accurately, in my view) vegetarians. Or I love the English people or I love the elderly followed by a screed against old people and drunks.