Hikerjohn...Thanks for your input...My husband and I were together for 30 years and we were honest and upfront with each other. I'm not used to all the "touchy stuff" or "ego/image stuff."...We paid for a towing service so neither one of us would have to change flat tires or have to ask people around us if we could have a battery charge etc..This is the first time my friend paid for a towing service so I guess it wasn't normal for him...My husband could talk openly about his feelings and fears and insecurities. I did too! And it felt good to be open and honest with ourselves and each other!...We didn't try to "hide" or pretend that we were "fine" when this wasn't true...It always helped to talk things out with each other. And it felt good to be loved unconditionally even though we had "flaws" and "doubts" and insecurities at times...It was all "okay!" It was okay to be human in our relationship.

A little more...I don't believe in being blunt and mean or hurtful. But I don't feel that it's good to pretend that the emperor is wearing clothes either. (When he is actually naked.)...It's hard or next to impossible to grow close to someone who wants to keep their insecurities "hidden" at all times. (Or their mistakes and problems etc.)...Everything is kept at a shallow and superficial level. (At least this is how it feels to me anyway.) Everything seems "fake" and "phony."...I don't try to get "close" to everyone. I have some casual and "passing ships in the night" type of relationships that will probably always remain on the shallow-side...These type of relationships are like "fast food" or "TV dinners." They don't have much depth or substance for the "long haul." There is no sense of "going forward" or making "gains" or growing closer and closer over time...Everything remains pretty stationary...Everyone holds on to their "masks" and "false-fronts" most of the time to "feel safe" I guess!.. What do you think?