I'm looking forward VS I look forward

Hello, Kingfisher,
I've been taught they mean the same thing. So you can use either (to me)

I am looking forward to you] is more polite, means that you impatiently want to see him and wait for it all the time. This way you kinda enhance your respect to him (o_O...)
Just an opinion...

Yes, might sound more personal.

Generally, "ing" forms are more friendly because they are less formal. It's hard to say which is more "polite". I personally feel that friendly is more polite than formal.

I think it should be "I look forward to seeing you." I was taught that it's got to be either "I look forward to seeing you" or "I am looking forward to see you." But, to be honest, I don't think people in the US make this distinction. Anyone know if "I am looking forward to seeing you" is grammatically correct?

Since it's to a friend, I'd say "looking forward to". If it were part of a business letter, for example, to a person who was going to interview you soon, then I'd say "look forward to". In the given context, "look" is more business-like and aloof, "looking" is more 'between friends'.

In spite of that, either can be used in either situation!

CJ

I am in the US, and I would never say "I am looking forward to see you." Either "I look forward" or "I am looking forward" is okay (I would agree that "I look forward" sounds a bit more formal) but no matter which you use in the beginnning of the sentence, the end should be "to seeing you." "I am looking forward to see you" just sounds wrong to me, and it sounds like the sort of mistake that

I'd also use either "I'm looking forward" or "I look forward", but with "to SEEING you" when writing a letter.

I am British and remember clearly when my grammar teacher taught me this. I think it's possible that this is one of those cases where American grammar deviates from the British style. Still, saying "I am looking forward to see you" doesn't make you a non-native English speaker, it would merely make you a non-American speaker, I suppose.

Sorry, sk, I really didn't mean to call the British non-native speakers of English! Let me rephrase that - "I am looking forward to see you" sounds foreign to me! I really did not realize that it was standard British usage. I'll try to be more clear in the future that my opinions are based strictly on my experience with American English, and I'll make note of what is for me a new Britishism.