Empathy, Self-centrism, Businessmen and The Pretenders

There are various kinds of people around us aren't there..?? But one interesting thing about them is that how differently they can act!! Even while writing this, I don't know what and exactly why I'm writing this, but here it goes..
Empathy-It is putting yourself into other's shoes and feeling,thinking from their point of view..as if you only are in that situation...Well, it's not what I say, this is what we have been taught since "Communication Skills" times..I personally agree with it though. I wonder, how hard can empathising be? I mean, if you know a person well, can't you make out what will make him happy and what is the thing he wants the least? And this is what happens. There is a person X. He has a problem with person Y with something. That time, he is very clear with his reasons, and ends up concluding that Y is wrong. X doesn't really think whether he is thinking in right sense or not. Fine upto this point. But then, X doesn't realize that a person Z has same problems with him. If told, he tries to defend himself without even giving it a thought, "Am i actually wrong?" This time, Z is wrong for him. Is this because X can't think from Z's point of view?
It's not just this. Everyone is used to think in a particular way. But then does that mean all the other ways of thinking are wrong? Is everyone always in same situation? Certainly not. But very few actually take pain and think from other's point of view..that is, "empathize"..
Can self-centrism be the answer to this question? People are so involved with themselves, that they find it totally unimportant to think about others. If someone enters a room, it takes hardly 5 seconds to greet that fellow with a smile, and then one can continue with his own work. But no, some people can't even take pain to do it. Even with the people they "call" Friends. If it is accidental, no problem. But if it is out of "Attitude", then there's a problem. This is just a small example. When doing something, why can't one think if it is affecting your close one very badly? Is it really worth doing that thing considering your closeness with that person? One doesn't really have time to think about others but about himself. Is it lack of empathy, or self-centrism? How can it be, that people expect sacrifices made for them, but they can't sacrifice even a bit for anyone?
Or is there a bit of business-like stuff involved in it? Invest only from where you can get profit, and don't care about something that can't fetch you profit? People do change parties(I'm not speaking in political sense although that can be a very good example) once they know they have got nothing to get from the current one. These are the ones who always look to take advantage of others, even if it causes uncomfort to them. "Hell, why should I care? I am getting what I want." For months, X doesn't consider Y, bad-mouths about him; but when needed something from Y, suddenly X becomes so polite and kind...It can be as simple as some help during exams and vivas...
And here come the deadlier ones--> The pretenders. It is one thing, not revealing every bit of ur intellectual, emotional self to everyone. But to project yourself as one person to X, different person to Y, still different person to Z...And that too for personal gain, or as pathetic as just to have some fun? These are the people who can never accept their mistakes and pretend to be perfect. They have explanation for every thing they do, and reasons(read excuses) for everything they can't do. It is like "what I do-fantastic, rocking...we rock..what you do-boring.."
There are some things they either can't understand or they don't want to understand. Hiding your emotions and all(that too with no intention of doing harm to someone) is but natural. But different situations, different personalities to acheive maximum gain at the cost of your "friends"-crime..Let's say, there are two groups. Group X and group Y. group X is of the normal people with some acceptable abnormalities(obviously, noone can be perfect) and group Y, filled with pretenders. Generally, when surrounded by lot of people, group Y people act very nicely, very decently. But as soon as they get a chance to outnumber people from group X, they are their real selves. Worse, if they corner one of the X lot, that too a very nice and kind of emotional one, they pounce on that chance as a wild dog does on a rabbit. Cheap man, very cheap...To add to it, next day, they are again back to their pretending mode-decent, nice, with explanations ready for their actions...Pathetic..
Does everyone belong to only one of the categories I mentioned?? No..I think everyone has a bit of all the things I said..Even I may have-no denying. Everyone has a person inside who can empathize, who wants to be self-centered, who thinks of the world as a business market and who can pretend. But which of these aspects dominate which individual-Well, personal choice, I think determines that.

P.S. Sorry for so many he, himself, someone, one, they, X, Y, Z...but didn't really know how to go about it..And also for every time mentioning he, himself..Well I am no "male chauvenist", just had to go one way for less complexity..
And again, the incidents mentioned, all need not be from personal experience. Many come from my close pals. Views are mine nevertheless.