Most people say ‘bear with me’ when they need a moment to handle something—technical hiccups, pulling up documents, or composing a careful reply—and it’s easy to freeze or respond awkwardly. Keeping your words simple and steady reduces stress for both of you and preserves the connection, whether this is a coworker, a friend, or a customer.

Why This Moment Matters

When someone asks you to ‘bear with me,’ they’re signaling they need time or bandwidth; your reaction can either ease their pressure or make them feel rushed. How you respond affects the tone of the interaction and the speaker’s willingness to continue sharing or to solve the problem. A calm, clear reply maintains respect and keeps the exchange productive, especially when deadlines, emotions, or customer expectations are involved.

Short, Simple Things You Can Say

• Sure — take your time.
• No problem. I’ll wait.
• Okay, thanks for the heads up.
• Take your time; I’m here.
• That’s fine — let me know when you’re ready.
• I don’t mind waiting.

Longer Messages With More Warmth

• I understand—take the moment you need. If it helps, I can come back in five minutes.
• No rush at all; I appreciate you letting me know. If you want, tell me when is a good time to continue.
• Thanks for saying that. I’m happy to wait while you sort it out—just tell me when you’re ready to pick this up.
• I know these things happen. I’m here and patient, and if you need me to hop off and return later that works too.
• I appreciate you asking for patience; if it’ll be a while, we can schedule a specific time to finish this.

What to Avoid Saying

• Hurry up — I don’t have time. (Sounds impatient and raises tension.)
• That’s not my problem. (Dismissive and likely to shut down cooperation.)
• Fine — make it quick. (Pressure that undermines the kindness of the request.)
• Why didn’t you prepare? (Blames rather than supports.)
• Saying nothing while showing visible frustration (silence plus body language can feel worse than words).

Helpful Tips for Handling the Moment

• If the pause matters, ask a specific check-in time: “Do you think five minutes will do?”
• Offer an alternative: “If it’s easier, I can come back at X time or we can continue over email.”
• Use small verbal cues to stay connected: “Okay” or “I’ll wait” to show you’re still present.
• Match your response to the relationship—be more direct with colleagues, gentler with someone upset or flustered.
• If you’re the one waiting and it becomes a long delay, politely restate your availability: “I can hold for another ten minutes, then I’ll need to step away.”

A Note About This Particular Situation

‘Bear with me’ is usually a polite request, not a demand, so try not to assume bad intent when you hear it. Power dynamics matter: a manager’s request may require different wording than a peer’s; adapt your tone accordingly but keep patience as the default. If the phrase is used repeatedly without follow-through, it’s fair to set clearer expectations about time and next steps.

Let us know in the comments if this has helped or if you’ve got suggestions we can include

About the Author

Helen Bach is a relationship expert and writer who helps people find the right words when it matters most. She studied English and English Literature at the University of Michigan, where she developed a passion for how language shapes love, conflict, and connection.

At whattosaywhen.net, Helen writes clear, down-to-earth advice on what to say in real-life situations—from first dates and tough conversations to breakups and makeups. Her goal is simple: to make talking about feelings less awkward and a lot more honest.