How well can you really know somebody?

[sallygirl]

I'm sure most of you think you know your mates inside out, but do you really? Is there nothing about them that would surprise you?

I just watched part of a documentary about a man named Jay Casey, an well-respected member of a small community who seemed to have a perfect life. To the shock of all who knew him, he one day disappeared without explanation. A few days later he sent his wife and his boss postcards describing his need to get away. He was never seen or heard from again.
(Anybody else see this?)

His wife says something like: "It's a terrifying thought, but I don't think it's possible to truly know another person. Not even your spouse."

I tend to agree. What do you think?

 

[Nogard]

Of course you can really know someone. The fellow you mentioned, the signs were there, she just chose to ignore them. This would only work in a long term relationship as in years. Husbands or wives always know when something is wrong with the other

 

[OUTSIDER]

Taken from OUTSIDER'S weird but true file's.

I once worked with a woman who's husband stepped out to buy some coffee and was never seen again and after five year's she had him declared dead, in the court the judge asked her if she got the coffee in the end

 

[MADDOG]

I don't know if there's a rule. Some people put themselves out there, others hide parts of themselves. Me? I tend to show my true self at all times, so I would say that with time, anyone could know me inside and out. There will always be surprises, but I don't think that amounts to not truly knowing someone or not.

MADDOG

 

[Expertise]

I can't speak for others but.... Many know most of me, very few know more of me, Not even I know all of me.

 

[Naked Hunny]

Yes, ok but have you ever had anyone who knows you as well as you know yourself or made you think sometimes that they know you better than you know yourself. I have had the same best friend since i was 3 that was 17 yrs ago. We can answer questions for one another, finish each others sentences. Hell i can tell this woman shes having a fat day and it doesnt phase her!!

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

Man, funny you should mention.....

I was just watchin' Jerry, Jerry, Jerry - and he had on this fairly nice lookin' fellow, engaged for over a year to this kind-of too sweet girl, who'd stood up for him early in there relationship - her parents thought he was a creep. But she'd convince them positive - they were getting married. But, but, but - he was confessing - six months before the wedding - to sleeping with her best freind - boom! - she, his fiance' explodes - life ruined - how could he? She knew him so well. But, but, but - that's not all - it's calm now - the dog dude still has more to confess - and with his two lovers, (his fiance and her best friend sitting there on national TV) he brings out another lover - a guy. Man!!! Jaws dropped on both those girls. Neither knew her was gay. In the end both ditched him and he went with the guy. I'm sure the parents gloted.

Ya just never know. We all have slightly different personalites anyway.

 

[Guest]

I think with as open as I am about EVERYTHING, it makes it easier for others to open up to me. I'm sure there might be some things I don't know about friends, etc., but when it matters and where it counts I'd say I know them.

~Tiggs~
http://smilecwm.tripod.com/sd3/lise.gif

 

[Ambrosious]

Well everyone of my staff says that they "know" me inside and out, but they don't. The truth is, I never completed med school. I've taken an anatomy class or two. Makes some of those surgerys a little tough! >

 

[FlamingoBlue]

How about this twist???

How well do you think you know and understand yourself? Most of the time, self awareness assists us greatly in knowing others, close to us.

blue

 

[Aranian]

Most people have aspects of their life that they arn't willing to discuss or relate. Does that necessarly mean you can't know them? Not really.

In the Jay Casey case it was probably just a lack of communication with his wife.

 

[PHANTOM5875]

Hmmm...this is interesting! I personally think that it might be a little boring if we knew absolutely everything about our friends and/or significant other. We are complex, ever changing creatures with needs and desires, some of which would, frankly, put off some if not most people. It takes a truly unique person to be totally open to whatever another person thinks and/or feels without adopting a judgemental attitude. Maybe some things need to remain in the realm of fantasy or at least in a very tight circle of friends with similar interests (like we Literoticans). I totally agree, though, that if you have someone "suddenly" bail out of your life, there HAD to be warning signs and we simply chose to ignore them perhaps on a subconscious level.We're really very perceptive folks out here on this site for the most part and I don't think we could be blind sided like that. Just my ramblings!
Phantom

 

[Patryn]

I personally think it depends on who the knower and the knowee are. Some people are more open, and some are more intuitive, while others don't perceive as well, or don't give of themselves and their personalities very freely. Both kinds are fine, and everyone has a right to keep things secret or personal, but it makes it hard to generalize.