Being Respectful During Celebrity Sightings

[Robert Treder]

OK, we all know that if you see a celebrity, you shouldn't bombard them with praise and attention. But is a simple show of recognition and respect acceptable, or should you just pretend they're normal people?

For example, just the other day, Brad Stuart (to the uninitiated: he's a defenseman for the San Jose Sharks) came into my store with his wife and daughter to rent some movies, as he does from time to time. I opted to treat him just like any other customer and not let on that I knew who he was, since I figured he was there to rent a movie, not to talk to fans. So I checked his ID and made him pay his late fees.

But do you guys think it would have been cool for me to have given him a simple bit of recognition, perhaps saying something like, "Good luck in Round 2" as he's leaving?
On the one hand, we always hear of celebrities being pissed off by fans, but on the other hand, hockey is considered a second-rate sport by many people around here, and Brad Stuart, one of the Sharks' top players, is probably recognized a lot less than the very worst rookie 49ers player, so it might make him feel good to see a fan here and there.

So, whatever. Amusingly enough, Stuart didn't rent anything for himself because Kill Bill was all checked out, but his daughter rented Jaws. And he hears that theme song every day at work, so I'm sure he was thrilled with that.

[h0rus]

OK, we all know that if you see a celebrity, you shouldn't bombard them with praise and attention. But is a simple show of recognition and respect acceptable, or should you just pretend they're normal people?

For example, just the other day, Brad Stuart (to the uninitiated: he's a defenseman for the San Jose Sharks) came into my store with his wife and daughter to rent some movies, as he does from time to time. I opted to treat him just like any other customer and not let on that I knew who he was, since I figured he was there to rent a movie, not to talk to fans. So I checked his ID and made him pay his late fees.

But do you guys think it would have been cool for me to have given him a simple bit of recognition, perhaps saying something like, "Good luck in Round 2" as he's leaving?
On the one hand, we always hear of celebrities being pissed off by fans, but on the other hand, hockey is considered a second-rate sport by many people around here, and Brad Stuart, one of the Sharks' top players, is probably recognized a lot less than the very worst rookie 49ers player, so it might make him feel good to see a fan here and there.

So, whatever. Amusingly enough, Stuart didn't rent anything for himself because Kill Bill was all checked out, but his daughter rented Jaws. And he hears that theme song every day at work, so I'm sure he was thrilled with that.

Unfortunately most people don't know that. They slobber over them like a big steak. Bunch of fucking insensitive ignorant clods. I refuse to pester anyone. If the person makes eye contact, I'll return a smile at the most. I won't press them for further time if they don't vocally acknowledge me. I don't fear, nor respect them, I just don't like people pestering me in public, and I treat people as I expect to be treated in public.

[h0rus]

...

No, you didn't have to acknowledge him at all. I doubt the guy expect to be spotted and given cred every time he's out in public. It would be funny if a guy expected that and flipped at your blase approach.

[Imperium²]

I wouldn't acknowledge them at all because celebrities overall do not contribute anything to society and get paid millions for it.

[Col. Crackpot]

I met Terry Bradshaw once at an all-you-can-eat Buffet. We joked about chicken and talked for a couple of minutes about how my beloved Pats spanked the Steelers in the AFC Championship game that year and that was that. Really nice guy...... down to earth.

[Thinkmarble]

I wouldn't acknowledge them at all because celebrities overall do not contribute anything to society and get paid millions for it.

How do you determine if someone is contributing anything worthwhile to society ?

[Col. Crackpot]

I wouldn't acknowledge them at all because celebrities overall do not contribute anything to society and get paid millions for it.

You would ignore someone just because they don't conform to you're elitist senibilities? A touch arrogant, don't you think? Granted i don't agree with the pedestal that athletes and actors are placed upon, but there is still that little twinge of excitement when you meet someone. (and they show you their superbowl ring! )

[Chardok]

I met Mark Brunnel once here in Jacksonville. Yeah, highlight of my life, it was. it went something like this (outside Spencers at the Avenues mall):

Girlfriend:*GASP! (Starstruck)* Danny! It's Mark Brunnell!!!
Mark: Hello.
Me: Hi *Shakes hand*
Mark: Would she like an autograph?
Girlfriend: YES!
*sign*
Mark: How about you?
Me: No, thank you. Going to the game tomorrow. Saving a spot for Ricky Williams. *winks*
Mark: *Scowl*
*pleasantries exchanged*

[Alyeska]

I've had the pleasure of seeing both Arnold Schwartzenager and Tom Hanks (and his family). This was in Sun Valley. Celrebities go here because they can feel at ease. The locals are used to their presence and they can be treated like any other person. When I saw Arnold I snuck a few looks his direction, thought Heh, I'm taller then the Terminator, and then let it slide and kept shopping for a helmet (I'm a downhill skier). When I saw Tom Hanks he was with his family having a lunch break in one of the lodges on the mountain. I looked at their table a few times and noted that Tom Hanks seems to have a happy family life. Besides doing that, I just ignored him and went about my business. 30 minutes later I was on my way to the bathroom when I saw Tom Hanks putting his gear back on. When he was finished he looked like a normal guy (hell, Tom already looks like a normal guy) and he was unrecognizable. I just kept on walking.

Celrebities like the fame, but they also like being treated like normal. I have no desire to pester them with questions or asking for an autograph. I will give them a look over and then leave them be. They are normal people like us, its just their lives are in the spotlight.

[Jon]

I was fortunate enough to attend a 'lunch with...' Patrick Stewart about a month ago, at Huddersfield University. The idea was, he had become the new chancellor and would meet students from various places etc etc- he was coming in that capacity- not as Jean Luc Picard, which upset various fat fools I saw sat around gripping Star Trek books and DVD's, with black marker pens in the other hand.

He came into the room and posed for some official photographs with us all, for newspapers and so on, then we all went back to our tables, and he proceeded to wander from each table, meeting and greeting everyone, standing for pictures, and having a chat- a very well mannered and friendly man. As he was walking around, a friend and I spied a strange looking middle aged man, following him, clutching a piece of paper and a pen. Patrick obviously knew he was there but just kept shrugging him off, then this man started asking for his autograph, over and over, "Patrick, could you just autograph my butt" he might as well have said.

By the time Patrick got to our table, this middle aged freak was still shadowing him, then he muttered "come on, since you're here to sign things just do this for me", so I fell about laughing when Stewart turned around and said "I'm not here to bloody sign anything man!".

Ah, that stern voice.

I just saw all the fat Trek geeks hide their memrobilia and look into space. Then we had a chat with Patrick and got some pictures. Was fun. As much as a trekkie that I am, I know how to conduct myself, I didn't mention it once. (I'm sure he hear's it all the time)

[Coalition]

Saw Kent McCord (actor played Jack Crichton, John Crichton's dad from Farscape) while leaving Dragoncon in 2002. Just nodded, and said, "See you next year." He nodded back.

At the end of Dragoncon 2003 (Monday afternoon), I was with a group of friends in the Sports pub inside the hotel (sorry, don't remember the exact name, but it was massively sports themed). Chase Masterson walked in, and we stood for a little bit talking.

After we left the bar, I told the other friends who she was. I figured she was in there to relax, and decided to not even mention her name. Another friend asked her name though, and she just answered 'Chase'

The expression when they realized who it was (after I told them) was fun.

[Baron Scarpia]

Anyone who lives in New York will have celebrity sightings on a fairly regular basis, and the usual protocol is to just leave them alone and not even mention it to them. Unless you are at an event where a certain degree of recognition/interaction is expected, it's really just not something to do. I wouldn't want to be accosted while walking down the street or otherwise not engaged in a function whereby I was meant to be acting as a celebrity, so I am considerate of them in this regard. I utterly sympathize with Patrick Stewart in the story above, especially since he has to deal with perhaps the most annoying of celebrity-seekers, damned Trekkies.

[Joe]

I saw Jimmy Carter once at Disney World. SOB jumped in front of all of us in the Pirates of the Caribbean line, fucker.

[Col. Crackpot]

I saw Jimmy Carter once at Disney World. SOB jumped in front of all of us in the Pirates of the Caribbean line, fucker.

did you lead the crowd in a rousing chant of "STAGFLATION!"?

[Baron Scarpia]

I saw Jimmy Carter once at Disney World. SOB jumped in front of all of us in the Pirates of the Caribbean line, fucker.

Don't blame him, it was probably the Secret Service. Standing in a long line makes one an open target.

[Robert Walper]

Depends upon who I see perhaps. If I saw, say, Arnold Schwartzenager and I saw an opening, I'd probably walk over and shake his hand and say "Mr. Schwartzenager? Pleasure to meet you, sir. Thanks for the Terminator movies, they are some of my favorites." At which point he'd probably say something along the lines of "thank you", and then I'd smile and say "It was a pleasure to meet you, have a good day." and proceed to leave him alone. I wouldn't pester him for an autograph(I can't figure those out) or time, but I figure a really quick introduction and thank you for someone's work can't go over too badly. I figure most celebrities don't mind meeting normal fans quickly(particularily if they are not hindering for autographs and time) and it's the stupid googly eyed geeks that are tiresome and annoying.

On the note of Terminator actors, if it was Kristanna Loken(*drooling noises*), I might joking mention I'd buy her a drink next time she's free. Hopefully that would bring out a smile as I would try to say it in a manner that makes her realize I'm really joking and just doing it as a "tease".

[aerius]

Don't pester tham and go all fanboy on them, and don't stalk them unless you want to get slapped with a restraining order or shot by a bodyguard.

We've had former Leafs captain Doug Gilmour visit our shop a few times, and former Leafs center Peter Zezel is a semi-regular customer of ours. We let'em browse around the store and we'll say hi & talk to them a bit like we do with the rest of our customers.

The most important thing I've found when meeting celebs on the street is to not attract attention and give them away. I've seen it happen a few times in Toronto, some guy damn near caused a riot after spotting rockstar David Usher.

[Lord Pounder]

I love the irish policy for dealing with celebrity sighting. They do the opposite and completely ignore and avoid celebs. I know a woman from Cork and when anyone famous is there they actually leave the shop/pub they're in.

Me i was a complete fanboy when i met U2 in Dublin. It was a few years ago and much of it is still hazy. We where in the pub when me and my mate spotted them. As typical irish men they where arguing who's round it was, forgetting completely that each of them had enough in the bank to buy whe whole fucking place. To aleviate the situation i offered to buy them their pints. They agreed and asked us to join them. It was magic. In RL Bono isn't such a pretentious arrogant bastard and i managed not to call The Edge baldie. It was a good night, i think.

[Darth Wong]

The public should be as respectful of movie stars' privacy as the movie stars are of the public's copyright fair-use rights. In short, camp out at their houses and shine flashlights in their bedroom windows.

[BoredShirtless]

On the note of Terminator actors, if it was Kristanna Loken(*drooling noises*), I might joking mention I'd buy her a drink next time she's free. Hopefully that would bring out a smile as I would try to say it in a manner that makes her realize I'm really joking and just doing it as a "tease".

Hopefully, she'd kick you in the nuts. She's mine.

[Lord Pounder]

On the note of Terminator actors, if it was Kristanna Loken(*drooling noises*), I might joking mention I'd buy her a drink next time she's free. Hopefully that would bring out a smile as I would try to say it in a manner that makes her realize I'm really joking and just doing it as a "tease".

Hopefully, she'd kick you in the nuts. She's mine.

As if Last i saw she was getting in there with Pink.

[BoredShirtless]

As if Last i saw she was getting in there with Pink.

Two girls doing a drunken pash on the dance floor doesn't mean they're a couple, or that they're lesbians.

[Tsyroc]

As if Last i saw she was getting in there with Pink.

Two girls doing a drunken pash on the dance floor doesn't mean they're a couple, or that they're lesbians.

Besides, even if she does like Pink it doesn't mean she doesn't like guys.

[aerius]

The public should be as respectful of movie stars' privacy as the movie stars are of the public's copyright fair-use rights. In short, camp out at their houses and shine flashlights in their bedroom windows.

But some rock stars are cool, I was at a concert a few years back when Neil Young said "go ahead and download all our new songs off napster, it's not like we need the money".

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

The public should be as respectful of movie stars' privacy as the movie stars are of the public's copyright fair-use rights. In short, camp out at their houses and shine flashlights in their bedroom windows.

I'll second that, and I'll be the one handing out the super bright LED flashlights. Let's not forget the spotlights that are measured in the millions of candlepower as well.

I think a better target for this would be the homes of the RIAA people...