Brushes with fame

You hear stories of people running into famous people while traveling.  In the past my wife and I saw Naomi Campbell in Heathrow Airport and we still get a little mileage out of that story.  She walked right past us in over-sized sunglasses looking perturbed.

This latest trip for business I actually saw 2 famous people.  At least, I think I saw famous people.  The first was Air Supply singer Russell Hitchcock, maybe.  He was in the airport bar with a couple young guys that looked liked musicians and a blonde woman who could have been anyone.  The other famous person was a local business owner that appears on his own television commercials.  He is a goofy looking guy that is all legs with a short barrel chested body who sells metal buildings. These are hardly the most exciting celebrity sitings you will hear about from your friends. 

I don't know the proper etiquette when you cross paths with a celebrity in an airport.  I would assume screaming is frowned upon.  However, I think it is a good idea to remember that celebrities are people with varying emotional states.  I hear often enough about the "ugly celebrity" that directs unpleasant language at fans.  I also hear frequently these same people will spend time signing autographs and posing for pictures at events.  I try to use a little empathy when assessing the situation.  When I am in an airport after working all week on the road I occasionally am cranky because I don't sleep well in hotels and I do a lot of walking in my dress shoes between meetings and my feet get tired.  Why would a celebrity that has a stringent schedule be any less cranky? 

I am very sympathetic to people's desire to meet celebrities.  I would suggest finding a way to meet them when they schedule time to "press the flesh".  I got to meet Teller of Penn and Teller at a book signing in Seattle for "When I'm Dead All This Will Be Yours!": Joe Teller – A Portrait by His Kid. I bought the book, got it signed, and we chatted for about an hour (yes, Teller can actually talk).  It was a great experience, not just because I met a famous guy.  I met a really cool famous guy.