The
default response used by someone who is confronted with a
truth about themselves that they would rather not face.
This phrase is commonly used by addicts, those with low self esteem and just about anyone else whose biggest fear is that someone else will notice their problem and offer to
help.
Using this phrase successfully pushes away anyone wanting to
help, and the user ironically ensures that
indeed, nobody will ever know them.
In another
ironic twist, if someone you know well says this phrase to you, then it means either:
1) they've been lying to you about who they really are (in which case it's their own fault that you
don't know them), or
2) they have suddenly and fundamentally
changed in the few seconds prior to telling you that you don't know them (in which case they also don't know themselves).
However, the case is usually that they're unobservant, self-absorbed, don't like that you were so easily able to identify their issues and resent the fact that they are unable to pay attention to anything long enough to 'know' it. They assume that everyone else is like this too, which is why they seem so shocked when uttering this phrase.
"I think you've been ignoring your family and you should spend more
time with them."
"You don't even know me!"
"I think your drinking is negatively affecting your performance at
work."
"You don't even know me!"
"I think you should take a shower because you
stink."
"You don't even know me!"
