Do we ever really know anybody? I don’t think we do, no matter how close we are to someone. It just isn’t possible, right? Because we cannot see into a person’s inner life, some pieces of the puzzle are always going to be missing. In some cases, we ourselves will be responsible for these missing pieces. Like when we jump to stereotypes without good reason or take the idea of someone to be their reality.
I believe that when it comes to people, what you see isn’t really what you get. Now if we could read each other’s minds, that would be another story. Or in Harry Potter speak, it would be awesome if legilimency (sans occlumency) were real.
But since that isn’t going to happen anytime soon, actually sitting up and listening to the said and the unsaid is the next best thing.
It also depends on how open you are to others, and to yourself. Maybe it’s not possible to see our own self for the full 100%. Sometimes I do things I never thought I’d do, for instance. Perhaps it’s also to do with growth; if people keep evolving personally, it’s impossible to ever really know someone, indeed.
Interesting topic :) This should keep my head busy for a few days. In a good way, though :)