Now and then, all of us ought to allow a caricaturist to sketch us.

It’s a good reality check.

Reality isn’t always a fun thing, but it is a form of honesty, and we generally can stand some of that.

We know how we look … or we think we do.

A Christmas Party for editorial employees of The National recently was held at the newspaper’s favorite Abu Dhabi hotel. (The one where everything is 20 percent off, for employees of the newspaper.)

A grassy patch of land a few steps from the beach, an enormous spread (more about that another day), two “drinks” tickets, a DJ playing techno-pop Christmas music, a dance floor (actually used, late in the evening, though only by women), gift bags and a late appearance by a sort of “bad Santa” who made everyone sit on his lap. (Hmmm.)

And roving caricaturists.

You have seen them. At a theme park or on the sidewalks of major cities. Guys with a stool and an easel and a large pad of paper to draw faces. “Sit down! I will do your picture! Five minutes!”

What they produce is not meant to look like you, in photographic sense. It is not accurate.

But it is telling.

It shows us what this particular guy, who does these drawings for a living — or at least a sidelight — finds to be your most telling/impressive features.

Many of us live lives of self-delusion. “No one really notices” our shirts are too tight or our pants are too long or our hair is a mess. Or that our ears are beginning to turn elephantine.

Caricuturists go right for that sort of thing. Focusing on the face, of course.

At times, it seems like caricaturists are sadists with a stick of charcoal. Especially once you get away from the flatterers and Disneyland.

Some of these guys were or could be political cartoonists, a job where caricaturism can be a full-time job — as long as the guys who run your government have a sense of humor.

Check this page of caricatures of Barack Obama. Pitiless. He apparently has ears that could hide a small rodent and a chin that enters a room before the rest of him does.

George W. Bush fared no better. Squinting eyes and a weird nose caught the attention of caricaturists.

The guy who probably has suffered most at the hands of caricaturists is Prince Charles. Holy mackarel.

No one forced me to sit for one of the roving caricaturists. I volunteered. And it was hideous. Of course.

Or maybe I look like that. I probably do.

Something to think about.

When I get a photo of the “art” I will post it down here at the end of the blog post. As a reward! But not at the top, where any-ol’-body can see it.