Relationship Woes and Advice XX: One X Short of an Awesome Title

[Nix Nihila]

OK, so if stating it outright causes the other person to feel like they're put on the spot because they are now aware that you like them, why would implying it not have this effect? Are people too stupid to realise what you're implying until a few moments later?

I could be entirely mistaken, but I think it's because when you say something like "I love you" there's pressure for the other person to respond with something similar (which they may not be ready for). When you're just implying it, there isn't that pressure anymore.