What do I really know about people? Conversations with my husband about people and events made me wonder how much or how well we or rather I know people. Family. Friends. Acquaintances. Corporate personalities. Sports figures. Actors. Actresses. Other celebrities. Politicians.

Is what I know or think I know based on a shared history? Fact or perception? Anecdotal evidence? Media spin? Social media influencers? What I want and select to believe? Depends.

Whether the shared history is reliable and founded on actual memories. Whether the facts as I know them are irrefutably true. Whether my perception is biased or impartial. Whether I opt to blindly consume or fact check media or any information. Whether what I choose to believe fits into my reality, and overrules all else.  Not an easy task.

Without getting too academic, I did a simple get-to-know-me exercise. How well do I know myself? Naturally, I’d like to think I know myself better than anyone else. This is how I see or believe myself to be. Generally quiet. Not one to attract attention. A little anti-social. Don’t like crowds or people milling around me. It works quite well for me as I rather enjoy my own company. Strangely, I spent a few years in Corporate PR. Dealing with people and providing counsel that was not always readily accepted. It wasn’t a role I relished, and most times I felt like an interloper. I also don’t like public speaking. Strangely, I did a fair share of emceeing as a PR person. Hmm…

I’m not overly confident. I need a bit of time to get a handle on people and things. Even then, I thread carefully. I used to think I was a type-A personality. I am not. I am not ambitious. Never have been. Not a high achiever or a go-getter. I am more of an average Jill/Joe. I have to work harder and try harder. Things don’t come innately to me; from school to university to my working life. It wasn’t a hard slog. It wasn’t a breeze either. I am, however, proactive and organized. I like to learn new things and acquire information. My now older sieve-like brain doesn’t retain them for long but I still enjoy looking up stuff that interest me. I like to finish what I’ve started. The best I can and as quickly as possible. I am a typical ‘dog with a bone.’ No WIPs for me. I am responsible and dependable.  I am loathed to renege on my word or promise. My word is my bond. Sometimes, to my detriment.

I am kind, caring and generous. Both to family and not. But I’m not always fair. I have my favourites.  I care more for some family members and friends than others. There is a smidgeon of guilt but I cannot help how I feel. It is what it is. I still wear my heart on my sleeve. And, I still feel disappointed despite not expecting much else from some people.

I am fine with fallibility. We all make mistakes. I have my fair share. Accountability, remorse and efforts to make good are welcomed virtues. What I find hard to tolerate are repeat offenders who lie with impunity. The audacious, condescending and sanctimonious. And, people who support, and find these behaviours/attitudes normal and acceptable. Hmm…

I like diversity. It’s good to have different views, values, beliefs and work ethics. People look, speak, think and behave in a myriad of ways because of the countries, cultures, genes and upbringing that shape them. This makes the world a better and more interesting place. In parallel, I sometimes feel the similarities more than the differences make it a little easier to welcome some more than others. Language and cultural affinity. That sort of thing.

I have a few preferences. I prefer casual to formal. Comfort prevails. I always want sweet over savoury. I love chocolates, cakes and ice-cream. Donuts and biscuits too. I prefer colder climates to visit but not live in. Particularly as I enjoy long walks in the woods or parks without feeling uncomfortably sweaty. I favour clever comedies and dramas. Not so much science-fiction. My favourite authors are Jodi Picoult, A.A. Milne and Michael Connelly.

That’s me in a nutshell. I don’t know many people. And, even fewer people know me. The question is would the few who know me agree with this description of me? Maybe yes. Maybe no. I am the first to admit that I really don’t know or understand people, even those closest and dearest to me. Like I said earlier, what I know, think I know, and choose to believe or not influences my reality.  Hmm…