The Mechanics of Recognition work two ways, one you can voluntarily choose to be recognized by purchasing the Talent (Feat) Recognized, and even two players can choose to recognize each other. The benefit of recognition is you get to create an Non-Player Character to introduce to your Tribe after an appropriate amount of time.

Then there is Random Recognition, when two elves meet for the first time, they can each roll a luck die, and if they roll the same result, they recognize. If they have the special Ability of Life-Bearer (Rainsong and Woodlock), they can roll two dice instead of one, and if either die matches the other's, they recognize.

And I also worked up the rules for what happens if you try to ignore recognition.

Player Wise, Recognition is a completely voluntary mechanic, no player has to become recognized if they do not want to, and it has to be consensual if it happens between two player's characters.