What is the phrase for "getting to know" someone or something?


My question is how is the concept of "getting to know" or "knowing" someone
conveyed? How do you invite someone to get to know you better? I was posting a
message on mixi and could not figure out what the phrase for this was.

Sentence example so you can understand contextually...

If I sound nice, then don't be scared to get to know me. or I'd prefer not to
talk about that until I know you better.

How do I express this in japanese? Are there stock phrases? Any help is
appreciated.




知{し}り合{あ}う is used for "getting to know"; with the noun 知り合い being used to
mean "an acquaintance" or "someone you know a little (less that a close
friend)".

* * *

**Examples**

>   * 留学の時、ほかの留学生と **知り合った** のに、親しい関係だとは言えない。 → During my time as an exchange
> student, even though I got to know some of the other exchange students, I
> wouldn't (can't) really say I was close with any of them.  
>
>   * 最近通っているラーメン屋さんと **知り合い** になっている。 → I've been getting to know the
> owner(s) of the ramen shop (that) I've been going to lately.  
>
>   * あの子はほんの **知り合い** にすぎません。 → That girl is nothing more than an
> acquaintance. (Not sure if the ほんの here is derogatory or not ー I feel like
> it might be).
>

