First off: You can only really get to know someone through a conversation or through listening to them rant. A conversation is more pleasant. Secondly: I think looking at the world through a humourous lens is a great alternative for pessimism or reality for that matter. Finally: I like to be blunt. I believe being honest and forward with someone pays off; or makes someone look like a **** for being too straightforward. But nevertheless it beats being a secretive lying hole... Those are my two cents or however the saying goes. PS. Please have a sense of humour. PPS. Please do not be offended by my UK spelling of the word humour.