I don't care means “it doesn't matter to me at all” or, in a sharp tone, “I couldn't care less”. It says the question itself isn't important to you, so as a reply to an offer it sounds cold. It works without offence when you're stating your own position: I don't care what people think.
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I don't care + about + noun; I don't care + what / if / how…; I don't mind (polite: either is fine)
- I don't care what people think about my clothes; I wear what's comfortable.
- He doesn't care about the money, he just wants an interesting job.
- I don't care if it rains, we're still going to the beach!
What changed
First versionShall we have pizza or pasta tonight? — I don't care.
RevisionShall we have pizza or pasta tonight? — I don't mind.
I don't care is easy to reach for as a casual “it's all the same to me” when someone offers a choice. But as a reply to an offer, it easily sounds indifferent, as if the question itself bores you. When either option really suits you, say I don't mind: “it's fine either way, you choose”.
I don't mind is about choices and willingness: I don't mind waiting means waiting is no trouble for you. I don't care is about indifference. Who cares? is even sharper: it means “nobody cares about that”.
Your turn
— Could you wait ten more minutes? — Sure, I don't ___ waiting.
Show the answer
mind — Someone politely asks you to wait, and you agree: waiting is no trouble, which is I don't mind waiting. Care can't be followed directly by an -ing verb, and the tone of “I couldn't care less” would be rude here anyway.
Write about something you don't care about when choosing things or in other people's opinions. Say what it is and explain why.
I don't care what brand my phone is, because I only use it for calls and maps.
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