That’s exactly what pretense means. If you’re complimenting her handbag or asking her for directions when neither of these things are at all important to you, you are using a pretense to talk to her. Does she realize this? Of course she does. But she, in turn pretends that what you said to her was your real purpose for coming over and plays along. All of game on both sides is a pretense, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t serve a useful purpose.
–Lee
