I'm an expert
Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
I learned to study my partner chirp symbol ( each player has unique chirp symbol) so I can determine if this is the same partner as moment ago or not.
Also by the completeness of their cloak pattern, though this is not as effective, as there's only 4 level of completeness. Or even by the length of their scarf
You're definitely right, there are ways to discern your partner, but I was mainly talking in a Snow frame of mind as the effects on your character on that level can make it hard to see much other than scarf length.