William Shakespeare,

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

That might be the case for a politician. I am aware others see me differently than I know myself. My friends see me, the me I know myself to be and the others can take a hike.

It's nice to be well regarded by others but I can't fake my political or religious views. That said I do not go out of my way to be in someones face about either view point.

I think it's the opposite. This take is a bit shallow, It's not important how others see me....perceptions are like snowflakes and finger prints. I know me, I like me, that is all that matters

I think we all like to think that we are well regarded by others. Unless we ask them directly, and then we may not get a truthful answer, we can only gauge their opinion of us by our interactions with them. I have a wide circle of friends and can only conclude by the fact that they seem to enjoy my company and include me in social events that they hold me in high esteem. I am an optomist by nature and I believe optimists in general attract people to them. I am also a very confident person and happy to express my views, but hopefully am also a good listener and can empathise with others. We can’t be liked by everyone of course, and I’m sure I have my detractors, but I hope on balance people would say I’m an okay human being!

If you worry about what people think you are you will likely end up with a bad case of paranoia. If you want to change something do it, but on your terms, for your reasons. Peer pressure is annoying but not your master.