are you yourself?

[mydogsandme]

How often would you say you're true to yourself or even know what your true self is? I'm different things and people all the time really depending on who I'm with-I mean,we're not the same with our parents as we are with friends are we? I catch myself all the time being certain ways that I don't particularly like or acting in a certain way. I really envy people who are always just "themselves" and don't feel the need to impress or fit in. It's usually unconsciously I do this. What about you?

[ruby27]

mydogsandme

Like Octavius points out, how do you know these people are themselves not agonising about their behaviour and thoughts. You might be endowing people with confidence that they don't have. Any of us who lack confidence imagine others to be more successful in being themselves. Some people are very self assured, but then some people are also rather rigid and fixed and unable to be reflexive.

As littleoldme says we are social beings and are influenced by and influence each other. In different contexts it is appropriate and necessary to behave differently, not being able to so would indicate difficulties.

[wildwood]

If we always speak how we feel we would upset too many people and it is unsociable.

There is not one person alive in the whole of the UK who can say they they are completely free from racism, dislike of obesity/skinny/tall/short people or religious catholism.
Thus those who say they always speak their mind are either in jail or liars.

Just act how you feel comfortable and where you feel appropriate. It is a strictly human commendable attribute to show consideration to the feelings of others.

[mydogsandme]

I lost my post so that's why I haven't replied! Very deep thoughtful answers here from some. You're right,how do I know people are being themselves? I think I mean when I'm with one person and interacting with them,if we were joined by someone else,I sometimes feel I act differently and the other person notices. I don't mean in a way where I'd change radical views because someone had that opinion. Just know maybe I put on a "front" of cheeriness perhaps to the point of being irritating but I don't feel I'mreally that person. I agree,I hate it when people use being themselves as an excuse for rudeness. Prime example is on Big Brother where they seem to say that all the time as a reason for prejudice,bullying etc. Humans are continually changing and we can't just say "this is me" and not be open to change. Probably I think too much!

[Kromovaracun]

I tend to just act naturally. But for some reason that I can't explain, I notice that I tend to behave slightly differently around different people.

For instance, in my Film Studies class, I used to act slightly effeminate. Whereas elsewhere I'd be more quiet. And in History AEA I'd be more outspoken, while at a youth group I go to I'm far more relaxed.

It's bizarre, but I never really notice until afterwards. I don't think I'd say I'm ever not 'being myself' as I just act as comes naturally. But I think 90% of the time I do behave in a way that reflects my personality reasonably accurately.