A recent conversation with a friend made me think about people and how well you know them. We all claim to be very close to certain people and to know how their brains tick. But do we actually, truly and honestly know them? Or is it just some phrase we use to express the simple fact that we're familiar with them?

What can be called knowing people? Is it knowing thier likes and dislikes? Knowing their future plans? Being familiar with their habits, weird or otherwise? Does the fact that you can answer these questions about a person mean that you know him?

Or is knowing more of a bonding on a sub-conscious level? I'm not referring to something paranormal or magical. I'm referring to thinking the same and making similar decisions when needed. And that is tough.

Take me for instance. There are people I've know for like ages. But do I know what makes them tick? What they think about certain situations? What they mean when they say something? No, I don't. I won't even pretend to. That's where my clueless look comes from. People think I fake that one. Meh... Now you know. :)

Forget about knowing someone else. How many of us can claim to know ourselves? I'm sure I'll see a lot of raised hands on that question, but truly, honestly? I for one will keep my hand down, because I never can say what I'll do next. I don't even know my own biases, decision making processes, or even my favorites. How can I even jokingly claim to know myself? Do take a moment to think about this.

At the end, one question does come to my wildly unconnected mind. Is it actually required to know someone to like/love someone? To me it seems to be nothing short of an act of perversion (I claim writer's licence here). I mean, would you want to be known so well that people go around second-guessing your actions? Or worse still, snooping into your feelings? No thank you!

The rant has now left the building. You may resume your normal lives.

Cheers!