Animals and some human languages see a man on horseback as a novel creature, with the combined abilities of a horse and a man. It has the speed and power of a horse, but the mind of a man, and his throwing ability, but little dexterity. Etc. Similarly, I notice that when I'm with someone else, our abilities begin to merge. If the person as formidable, I feel physically safer, unless they are crazy or aggressive. I pick up social cues and act on them, becoming more acceptable. I might get access to transportation, or power tools, or places I would not be welcome alone. There's also just a lot of novelty, which means that very few of my "prepared statements" get used - I have to improvise on the themes, or wait for better opportunities. Basically, I think that it is impossible to "be myself" without reference to which relationship I'm being defined in. In some of them, of course, I'm just a fool in the others' eyes, often on the basis of a single disagreement. In others, I may be in high regard for things I barely notice about myself.
