What is do people see you mirrored?

It's a common misconception that people see you as a perfect mirror image of how you see yourself. In reality, what others perceive is your face and body as they truly are, unreversed. Here's a breakdown:

• Mirrored Image vs. True Image: When you look in a mirror, you're seeing a lateral inversion of yourself. This means your left and right sides are swapped. Others don't see this version of you. They see you as you are in real life, the face and body that is not mirrored. Consider the difference between seeing your picture or face on camera vs looking at a mirror. Your picture or face on camera shows your true face but mirror shows mirrored version of yourself.

• Facial Asymmetry: Human faces are inherently asymmetrical. One side is rarely an exact reflection of the other. Because of this, the mirrored version you see is slightly different from the non-mirrored version others see. This is often why people are surprised or dislike seeing photos or videos of themselves, as the "true" image can feel unfamiliar.

• Self-Perception and Familiarity: We become accustomed to seeing the mirrored image of ourselves. This familiarity can lead us to prefer that image, even if it's not an accurate representation. This is because familiarity breeds liking.

• Photographs and Videos: These mediums generally capture the un-mirrored image of you. They offer a more accurate representation of how others see you. Be aware that lenses and angles can distort the image too.

• Perspective: People see you from different angles and in varying lighting conditions. Therefore, no one person's perception of you is exactly the same. Furthermore, their personal experiences and biases will colour their perception of you.

In conclusion, others see your "true" image, not the mirrored one you see in the mirror. Differences in facial asymmetry and familiarity with our mirrored self-image explain the common surprise or dislike of photos or videos.