In the usual way it comes up in social contexts, I think knowing someone usually just means being acquainted with them--having had enough interaction that you can identify them and know they can identify you, and expecting to have such interaction in the future (else, it would be "used to know"). At least, that's what I assume is meant by "Oh, you went to $school? Did you know so-and-so?" or "Oh, you're into $hobby? I know a guy on LJ who posts a lot about that." It doesn't, IME, tend to imply any especially deep or personal knowledge.
I think that's part of what's tripping me up. There is the I know someone well enough to identify the person and maybe know a little bit about them. Where they work. Who's connected to them. Then there is the I know someone well enough to call them and hang out. I know them well enough to have some history or common stories.
At least one of the people who said they knew me, seemed to claim much more knowledge of me than I would have expected. It seemed odd because when serenejournal mentioned it my first reaction was, "that person would have no idea what my preference would be." It just felt weird.
So I would, in that context, say I know you. I wouldn't claim to know you well, certainly not well enough to make specific predictions...although I guess I'd make some fairly general predictions, such that I'd be startled if people attributed certain ideas or behaviors to you. (For example, I'd be fairly disbelieving if someone said you'd been making sexist or racist comments, or flaming newbies on a mailing list...) I guess I'd say I know you well enough to think you're generally pretty cool. :-)
Why thank you! Even though I don't reply to many of your alt.poly posts, you always bring a kind and well considered perspective to the group. I often find myself wanting to have said something similar to what you have written. I look forward to someday sitting down and having a nice long talk. I think you're pretty nifty yourself.
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I think that's part of what's tripping me up. There is the I know someone well enough to identify the person and maybe know a little bit about them. Where they work. Who's connected to them. Then there is the I know someone well enough to call them and hang out. I know them well enough to have some history or common stories.
At least one of the people who said they knew me, seemed to claim much more knowledge of me than I would have expected. It seemed odd because when
So I would, in that context, say I know you. I wouldn't claim to know you well, certainly not well enough to make specific predictions...although I guess I'd make some fairly general predictions, such that I'd be startled if people attributed certain ideas or behaviors to you. (For example, I'd be fairly disbelieving if someone said you'd been making sexist or racist comments, or flaming newbies on a mailing list...) I guess I'd say I know you well enough to think you're generally pretty cool. :-)
Why thank you! Even though I don't reply to many of your alt.poly posts, you always bring a kind and well considered perspective to the group. I often find myself wanting to have said something similar to what you have written. I look forward to someday sitting down and having a nice long talk. I think you're pretty nifty yourself.