Social Dramaturgy: How We Develop Masks to Interact

In a theatrical play, if someone is not knowing how to act, and behaves in the same way on the stage and on the backstage, there is a good chance of that person being discarded from the play, as it can be a danger to the remaining cast.

Life in that sense becomes a stage where we skillfully apply makeup, the appropriate costume and right expressions (surprise, approval or disgust) that are required for social success.

1. We don’t let others know how we do what we do. There is no rehearsal footage of us learning the skills that we show to others, and they only get to see the final result.
2. We cultivate an ‘image’ by hiding the dirty work and projecting only the positive stuff.
3. We don’t react to insults or show our negative side in public, preferring to deal with the problem behind the scenes.