How do you distinguish between your social masks and your real individual selves?

Question

"I don't wear social masks" is not a valid answer. We all do by definition.

Heartion: this is a pretty simple question. It is not deep or strongly philosophical, it's just a normal concept I'm referring to. The only thing you are right about is the fact that it is indeed abstract. But it needs to be abstract for otherwise there would only be a general interpretation and no individual perspectives.

By the way, are you aware of the fact that you just insulted the users of P&S?...

Sorry, the comment above was destined for another question.

Answer 1

Take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself that question, you'll get your answer.

Answer 2

Yes I agree that social masks are a form of protective mechanisms we use in society to prevent ourselves from being hurt, disappointed and so forth but I do believe that after you start to know the other person better, that social mask will begin to slip off. You know how the better you get to know the person, "the more strange they get".

Well that is due to the fact that it is physically and emotionally impossible for a person to uphold something that is PARTIALLY not the real them. It is like an actor having to act 24/7. Thats not very practically nor is it possible. It is too physically and emotionally straining on the person.

Now that I have explained what I think about social masks, I should probably answer your question haha. I really believe that everything we do is a part of us including everything that we say. For example, when you are angry or upset and you say something to someone that is totally outrageous and it hurts them. A day or two later you realize it and you go apologize to them. How many times have this happened to me? Countless times but people will always say that they did not really mean it and it was just a spur of a moment thing.

It may have been a spur of the moment thing but those thoughts have to have spawned from "somewhere" so I do believe that everything we say, WE MEAN IT TO SOME EXTENT.

You know I think people should just learn to accept that there is more than ONE WAY of thinking. You don't only have to be at one end like a multiple choice question where it is either A B C or D. Like how the "real" you is either your "social mask" or your "real self". When it comes down to it, I think both are somewhat you. You can hold two different perspectives on the same subject ya know. Maybe its more of like a 'tick all choices that apply to you lol'.

Ok i've written too much and I can keep writing forever so ill just stop here...

Answer 3

I met someone that I read a lot about on interviews and basically when I had dinner with this person he talked to us like his interviews he was a shallow person nothing I thought that came out of his mouth was taken from the magazine in the 4 hours their might have been two things that he shared or even three things that he shared that were truly real from his soul and what was funny was he made a toast here's to the truth what a joke all I can say is that like actors there are many that act in real life as well hehe but you see a certain type of persona that carries with another person and if they change and you see different sides of their personality and they tend to sway back and forth all the time and not be concrete in their persona then they wear many masks usually to protect themselves. That is how I see the truth in another when people tell you what you want to hear or they tell you stuff that we all know already hehe like my situation meeting this special person that at the time I though highly of then that is how I distinguish between the two :))) The persona and the way the person carrys themselves around others and certain situations says a lot and through this I have met good and true people and rotten manipulative people :))) Good questions thanks

Answer 4

The only way to distinguish is to have some idea of "your real individual self". Most people have no clue who they are outside their ego. Most people think they are their ego.

Once you find that "you" are not your thoughts, but are, instead, the part of you that is aware of and observing your thoughts, then making the distinction between a social mask and the self is easy.

There is a reason that every major thinker in human history has identified knowing ones self as a significant step on the developmental path.

Answer 5

That is a really great question!! Obviously your true self is apparent when you are by yourself, but I think we have different social masks anytime we are around anyone else. You have to admit, you act one way at work around co-workers, then around the boss, differently with your parents, and a total different way with your friends, and yet another with a lover. I think your true self is what you are THINKING when you are responding or interacting with your social mask on. But consider this, if you are compelled to act a certain way in certain situations, isn't that a part of your personality and therefore part of yourself also? (But I know what you mean, hope the first part helps.) Again, interesting question.

Answer 6

I'll admit, when I'm around people, I'm more energetic and obviously social. I wouldn't really call it a mask though. Yes, I do act differently, but that is because my surroundings have changed.

When I am at home, by myself, I am calm and relaxed. When I am around people, I am talkative and energetic. It's not a mask that we are hiding behind, just adapting to the environment.

Answer 7

My social mask embarrasses me sometimes. My real self would never do that. There is no technique to draw a line between the two that I know of and it is hard to tell at times who is in play. If you meditate on it it becomes clearer.

Answer 8

The difference is that I know which one is my social mask and who I really am...there might be one or two that I do not know about but for the most part, I have an idea that I am acting for society.

Answer 9

When I get home, showered and in my teddies,or pjs my social mask is out.And comes my real self, doing things in the house,spending my time in Y/A, reading books , I don't want to talk to any one unless it is important matters. That is the real me. Good question !

Answer 10

I always know my social mask is on because my demeanor and my grammar change. I'm REALLY laid back and cuss a lot, but when my social mask is on, I'm extremely polite and courteous, I smile more, etc. My posture changes as well. When I'm with my friends and know I can be myself, I'm way more relaxed. I'm still polite, but I know it's the real me they're getting.

Answer 11

By social masks I take it to mean masquerade. In contrast to what we're really are as our peculiar selves, there are no distinguishing marks at all because no matter how we disguise ourselves, the same character that we hide will betray us through our actions, much as fingerprints do.