To quickly understand a person, you can start by asking yourself one question: How does this person want me to see them? What do they want me to notice? Everyone wears a "mask" on the outside; this is how they want others to see them. In fact, this mask is mostly used to hide inner shame—such as "I did something I shouldn't have," "I'm terrible," or "I need to hide myself." The thickness and craftsmanship of the mask vary from person to person. If you see someone constantly showing off or yelling, they might actually be covering up inner fears or insecurities. At the same time, observing a person's self-control is also very important. Once you understand these, you'll be better able to see the loneliness, shame, and pain hidden beneath the surface.