How long do you wear a mask?

In most instances where we find ourselves prepping for a date or social situation, we put our best foot forward. Wedding, engagement party, date, birthday celebration or any situation where we feel we may be judged, we try to look our best and be as attractive as possible. Some say we, "Wear a mask."

This is a normal thing to do and probably quite natural as well. It makes us feel good and helps us to fit in with those around us. It's important to look presentable for the occasion and in many instances, required.

But, who do we portray to those around us as to who we really are? Are we showing the real us? And, if we are not, then why not? I know that if we are on a date with a potential partner, we want to make the best impression that we can. We want that person to like who we are. Yet the irony is that the person that they see in us may not, quite often, be the real person that we are. We wear a mask.

Many of us believe that we should just be who we are, and if that person likes what they see in us, then great, if not, then we move on. I'm sure that there are those who act accordingly, showing their real face from the get go, whereas I believe most of us don't. For this latter group of people I wonder, how long do we wear the mask? Is it a time frame thing, or more than likely, a comfortability thing? The more comfortable we are with a person, the more of our true selves we feel comfortable to show, right?

So, how long do you wear a mask?