What would your reaction be if you met an "important" person like an actor?

A few years ago, I ran in to Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee tax evader)

I said " hey, Mr Hogan, how about an autograph?"

He said "sure mate!"

So I gave him mine

Left him a little stumped none the less

I've met quite a few ''important'' people and i couldn't help but look down on them. lol....Seriously i treat them like everyone else, That makes them think I'm also equally if not more important and gets me invited into V.I.P.

reply to post by Village Idiot


Ohh I just remembered my other "Meeting a famous person" story, but this one is sad.

When I was a very small child I used to LOVE the kids show Sooty and Sweep it was a puppet show. One day when I was on holiday there was a live version of the show playing and as I was walking down the beach with my parents we saw the "Star" of the program (Matthew Corbett) sitting on a bench, I was a really shy child but my parents eventually persuaded me to ask for his autograph.

I sheepishly approached Mr Corbett and said "Please can I have your autograph" to which he said "No! I don't have a pen!!" In a really angry voice. I stood there stunned and then he said "Get back to your parents"!

It scarred me for life

LOL!

I am glad that the OP was actually inquiring about the psychology behind the people who act crazy. I didn't know what to think from the title.

I don't want to brag, but I meet "important" people and "famous" people fairly often and they are just people. There is a HUGE difference by the way between important and famous. Mickey Rourke is famous, but he is by no means important. Bill McCollum is important (in Florida at least), but he isn't very famous.

I've played X-Box with NFL players and multi-millionaires, and it was no different than playing with anyone else (unless they start wagering, LOL!). I've gone to lunch with rappers and TV stars and it was just a lunch. The waiters and the other patrons acted differently, but at our table it was just a normal lunch with normal conversation. I've been to Waffle House at 3 a.m. with NFL hall of famers, and the food and the service were typical for Waffle House at 3 a.m., but the Police/security acted like star-struck school girls and cleared the restaurant for us, against our protests. We didn't want that, we just wanted to sober up and get some eggs, LOL!

There are a couple of things different about hanging around "important" and "famous" people.
1. Everyone around you will act unpredictably, so you have to be prepared for that, and sometimes simple tasks become difficult tasks.
2. If the person is truly important or famous for leadership or intelligent reasons, then you have an opportunity to learn and mentor from that person. It is important to pay attention and retain some knowledge.
3. Never treat them as famous. If anything, especially after you have built a relationship, the famousness is more of a hindrance than a help, and it is fodder for plenty of ridiculing of that person. Instead of treating them as famous, you can make fun of them for being famous, and there are so many fun names, like "Diva," that you can call them.

I have no idea why anyone would go crazy just because they saw a famous person? There have been a couple of times that I have approached someone famous that I did not already know, but I tried to keep it subdued and just be polite and show that I was a fan. I approached one of the Oak Ridge Boys in a restaurant. As I was leaving, I stepped over and just said, "I'm a big fan, good luck at the concert tonight." He said thank you, shook my hand, and that was that. I approached Larry Coker (UofM coach for awhile) in a restaurant. Same scenario, said, "Hey coach, nice to meet you, you're not recruiting any of our Tallahassee boys are you?" He laughed, that was that. Why anybody would squeel and make a scene and cause everyone to be uncomfortable is a mystery to me?

reply to post by the dacoit


I would treat them like normal people I mean why would I not be me they got more money then me I got more blood currency then this realm so we would be cool. I may say hello but getting signatures and stuff like that wont happen I am sure they deal with that type of behavior on the regular....

Originally posted by Village Idiot
A few years ago, I ran in to Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee tax evader)

I said " hey, Mr Hogan, how about an autograph?"

He said "sure mate!"

So I gave him mine

Left him a little stumped none the less

LMAO @ this 1 UM JUST SAYEN good 1
2nd

reply to post by the dacoit


I went to grade school with a girl, whose father was a scientist. One day I was invited over to her house for dinner. We sat down to the table, Marsha, Her mother, her father, me and Dr. Wernher von Braun. At the time I was in fourth grade and I do remember him asking us how we liked school and what our favorite subjects were. Then He and Marsha's father talked about stuff I have no recollection of because "it was boring". They soon excused themselves and went into the library. My reaction, I had not a clue as to who this person was and nobody mentioned it until I got home and told my sister and her husband, they were in shock and told me Von Braun was one of the top scientists in the world. But at the time being a child I had no idea who I had eaten dinner with.

Back in the 80's I was taking dance classes and while we were doing a set, in walks ___. I was in the front so I started dancing to the back and into one of the corners along with another lady and whispered to her, " Is that who I think it is?" She said, "Yes that's John Travolta".

Mr. Travolta walked in quietly and went up to our dance instructor, (whom he grew up with) whispered something in her ear, turned to us and politely said, "Excuse me for the interruption" and walked out. He seemed very courteous.

Back in the early 70's I met some of the band members of "Blood, Sweat and Tears", they were playing where I was and they wanted to meet me because they all thought I danced very well and could "feel" their music. Very nice down to earth guys. We chatted for just a few minutes. They made me feel important.

Around 1966: My husband while marching for desegregation got to meet, shake hands with and talk to Dr. Martin Luther King. He said Mr. King was very intellegent and charismatic. My husband has met several famous people but Dr. Martin Luther King by far made the greatest impression on him.

My husband got to meet Lucille Ball and Cicely Tyson, he said Cicely Tyson was rude and arrogant and Lucille Ball was a quick handshake and smile.

Again, back in the late 70's we got to meet Elke Sommer and she actually glowed, you could see her golden aura I kid you not. She was very down to earth and even more beautiful than photographs show. We only spoke for a few minutes, but she came off to me to be a genuine person, nice and funny.

Our reactions, they are people just like us..............to kissy up and act like a fool just because someone is "famous" would be an embarassment.

If I could have dinner with three "famous" People I would choose Albert Einstein, His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and Michio Kaku.

I would not like to meet Queen Elizabeth, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan. If any of these folks walked by me, I would ignore them.

reply to post by Ophiuchus 13


I loved your post!!!!!!!!!!!!

You get an Bender applause from me.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4bf38bb62cc0.jpg[/atsimg]

reply to post by ofhumandescent

I would not like to meet Queen Elizabeth, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan. If any of these folks walked by me, I would ignore them.

A Queen is a Queen. I would like to meet any queen. I often sit and read by the grave of Princess Murat here in Tallahassee. It is kind of an obscure and forgotten grave for a princess, so it makes me sad and humble.

As for those other nasty chicks in that line, I agree, but I don't know if you could ignore the stench of them as they walked by!

reply to post by the dacoit



LOL, this thread is turing into a brag fest!

The question should be, how would an actor react if they met somebody, important?

An actor or musician is somebody who earns a paycheck, just like everybody else. Who would they consider to be important or worthy of awe? That's what I would like to know.

I've met a few people of varying degrees of celebrity and 'importance',

Most of these have been social encounters of one type or another.

Most of these people have been regular sort of people and I've had some good laughs with a few of them, one of whom I consider a reasonably good friend who I am in regular contact with.
The majority of them are either musicians or sportsmen.

I once met a world renowned 'enntertainer' and dancer in Southport of all places and found him one of the most egotistical, self centred, obnoxious individuals it has ever been my displeasure to come across, needless to say he got a somewhat painful lesson in humility.

Actor's aren't 'important'.
Doctor's, nurses, firemen etc are important.
Such are the vagaries of our society.

I lived in Hollywood at one time so I met quiet a few actors and musicians. Had conversations with people like Alice Cooper, had lunch with Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple), etc. I felt comfortable talking with them, they are just people like the rest of us, they just happen to be known. I have met Bill Clinton and did a photo op on a tour bus with Jesse Jackson in Santa Fe, New Mexico. All just like the rest of us - people.

This is an interesting question OP...

I wonder what the psychology of being star struck truly is?

Using actors as the example:

Is it because the media says they are important? Are we wired to be nervous around people That have been seen by a huge number of people? Is it power? I think that if a CEO of a huge company worth billions was in the same room as Brad Pitt 99.99 percent of people would only be nervous about meeting the actor.

reply to post by ofhumandescent


Thank you my friend it is the funny 1.
2nd

My reaction to these 'important' people is usually one of indifference. On occasion I've asked for an autograph, usually as a present for somebody who is a fan of theirs.

As for the psychology behind other people's reactions, I have no idea. Perhaps it's some sort of group psychology?

Honestly I don't consider actor's important. Granted they keep us occupied when were board watching the tube. There are a few that keep us entertained in general like Lohan, Brown, Speirs, etc. They crack me up!! Important people in my book would be someone like Chuck Yeager, Neil Armstrong, Cpt Winters, Shifty Powers, etc. Those are important people who really did something. If I ever met one of these people sadly a few have passed away from my list but first thing I would do is shake there hand and thank them far all they did.

I really get upset when I see people get all worked up over these so called important people. One of the guys from Jersey Shore was here in Colorado over the weekend and from what I heard it was insane people were rushing the stage. Like someone important was actually here. My roommates watch the stupid show and all I have to say is we are all screwed if these are the people that will someday run the world. Think the current wars are stupid? Just wait till people like this have our kids go to war over what our national scrunchie color should be. My vote is green with purple sequins.

reply to post by JAY1980


I hate the people that take advantage of the system, but if I saw one of those loser, tough guy, whiners from Jersey shore, I would love to punk them out, hope for a fight, belittle the hell out of them until they cry or fight, and then sue MTV for the fight. Settle out of court for $150k, and write a book about it!

I would be one of the parasites that I hate, but at least it would be for a good cause!

My dear mother taught me, by example, the correct way to act when one meets a celebrity.

One stands with one's feet together, and bends the knees to look shorter, spreading them slightly.
The back should be bent forward, the bottom pushed back and the head angled up, so as to give a good impersonation of a chicken.
The effect is heightened when sharply bent elbows are stuck out to the sides and flapped, as if trying to achieve lift-off.
The voice must be raised in both pitch and volume, and words emitted in a machine-gun like staccato.

The end result is the utmost respect and adoration from the celebrity being thus spoken to.

However this respect and adoration may be misinterpreted by onlookers as, "holy crap, what the hell's this?!!!!"


Sadly, I'm not kidding.

Once, at a society do where mother dear was trying to social climb, the promised supper was not being served and my diabetic father was getting ill, needing food. So I spoke to the guy running it he explained the food was in the back room, but the waiters were not able to come, so we couldn't eat. He agreed to give me the key to the back room if I obtained 6 waitors. I promised 12, walked around the room and, (don't know people, but I do know clothing,) I informed the 12 most expensively dressed people that we were staging a play, and they had been chosen to act the parts of the waiters. Soon they were happily passing the food around, and I had a chat to each. They all thought it was a good joke. When I introduced my eager mother to them they seemed to enjoy this joke even more.

For the rest of evening I chatted to an elderly lady on bean bags in the corner, who was wearing dilapidated old clothes by the most exclusive designers. She was fun to talk to, and when she told me who she was I asked if she'd mind if I introduced my mother to her.

I tried.

I told my mother this lady had x grandchildren, to get the ball rolling, and my dear mother looked down at her in cold scorn, saying, "well I have 18 grandchildren," and stalked off. This woman, matriarch of possibly the wealthiest family in Melbourne, was so sweet. "We can't choose our mothers, can we?" she said with a sympathetic laugh.

reply to post by the dacoit


Famous people are just like us, if not worse from all the drugs and fame. If I'm walking down the street and see Jackie Chan then I'll say "Are you Jackie Chan?" If he says yes then I'll say "Cool. I love the Rush Hour trilogy. See ya." And keep walking. No big deal.

I don't want to brag but I've met a few famous people. Trust me, famous actors on the screen can be really shy when meeting someone new. Or, like Vanilla Ice, be a total d!ck.

I work in the heart of a major tourist area in Australia and I get to met many of them; in the past 20 years I lost count how many I have met however most are quite pleasant while only afew were quite rude and/or arogant. Each one was treated no different than any other customer.

Joe Morton (Miles Tyson in "Terminator 2") picked out the cheapest item I had, $25, then demanded a discount and I politely told him and his then Aussie girlfriend to bugger off.

Among my favorites were George Lucas, Lucy Lawless ( "Xena"), Elle McPherson, Bette Midler, Hannan il'Ashrawri.