Can you imagine bumping with Tom Hanks in a grocery store or with Jennifer Lawrence in a bar? Meeting a celebrity can make anyone nervous, even if you are not a huge fan of that person. It is natural if you want to make the best of that moment and also have a great history to tell later to your friends. However, it is crucial to remember that they are still human beings, and they will not always be in the mood to give you the attention you deserve.
But how should we behave when we meet a celebrity? Here are things you should and things you shouldn't do when meeting a famous person.
10 Know if it's the right moment
Of course, if you see a celebrity in a film premiere or an event, the person will be more open and expect fans to approach them. However, it is necessary to have common sense on other occasions. You probably would not like someone interrupting you when you are having dinner in a restaurant with your family. So why should a celebrity be okay with it?
Just in case you see a celebrity at the supermarket or picking up their children at school, respect their space, especially if they look like in a rush.
9 Don't state the obvious
You meet a celebrity, and you try to make up a conversation, which is nice. However, avoid highlighting the obvious because it can kill it. For example, a woman wold Buzzfeed that once she met Tiger Woods, the best golf player ever, and the only thing that she managed to say was that he was a good player. He just replied with an "Ah, yeah, thanks." And she felt stupid after that moment.
So just in case you met Lady Gaga, avoid saying she is a great singer, or don't tell Kendall Jenner she is pretty. They already know that.
8 Ask for consent before snapping a pic
It is not every day that we bump into a celebrity, so it is normal that you want to immortalize the moment with a selfie, just like in the past, people would ask for an autograph. So, if you feel the celebrity is open for it, why not ask? The worst thing that can happen is you're declined.
Also, it is not because you are in front of a famous person it is okay to forget your manners. If it is not a movie premiere, don't surprise the celeb with a picture. Just set your camera and ask if the person is all right with it. If you're given consent, there are high chances the celeb will look much better in the picture.
7 Don't take numerous pictures
We all want to have the perfect picture, and we often take dozens of selfies before posting one. However, remember that if met, for example, Justin Timberlake and he agrees to take a picture with you, it doesn't make him your friend. So, avoid taking so much of the celebrity's time until you have what you consider a perfect picture.
So before taking the shot, remember what your best side is, check if there is too much light in the background and details that can spoil the shot.
6 Know who you are talking to
It might look something obvious, but it happens all the time. People are often so nervous when they meet a celebrity, that they mistake the names. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt were already mistaken by Matt Damon and didn't mind signing autographs as Damon. DiCaprio also said that once he was mistaken by Brad Pitt.
But people who make a mistake will always feel embarrassed once they realize their mistake. In case it does happen to you, don't be so hard on yourself. Even newspapers do it sometimes.
5 Respect personal space
Everybody needs some common sense when meeting a celebrity. Not everyone likes the physical contact, and that includes people who have professions that make them famous. In 2015, a group of teenagers tried to stop Kylie Jenner while she walked to her car. The entrepreneur didn't want to talk to them, and someone grabbed her arm. Jenner was very firm and said, "Don't touch me." Just don't be the person who crosses that line.
Britney Spears and Keanu Reeves are other examples of celebs who are not very keen when it comes to physical contact.
4 Don't talk about an ex or make negative comments
It doesn't matter how much you want to see Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt or Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez get back together. Never bring this topic up in case you meet one of them. Can you imagine spending years of your life hearing people asking about your ex, especially when you have moved on? Once again: don't be that person.
Also, avoid negative comments. They don't want to hear that they look tired, that they have gained weight or remarks about how they are aging. In fact, those are the comments that you should avoid with "normal" people, too.
3 Compliment their work
If you can't talk about their past relationships, make comments about their appearance, what is left? You can say something nice about their work. They will probably love to hear how much you loved their last song or movie, especially if it has a personal meaning. The player of your team will also like to hear that he/she played well on that match. It may be a great way to start a conversation.
A woman once met Tom Hanks when they were waiting on a line, and she just said that Forrest Gump was her favorite movie ever. They started a conversation about movies, and he even paid for her water.
2 Don't behave like a stalker
Everyone has a phone today. And, even for us, it is impossible to avoid the feeling that someone is watching us. But, can you imagine being a celebrity, and that feeling is just part of your daily routine? So, in case you see a celeb playing with their kids at the park or just being silly around friends in a bar, you don't need to film or take pictures of those moments.
Amy Schumer once requested a "fan" to stop taking pictures of her when she was walking on the street, and he refused. The actress addressed this later.
1 Try to find common ground
If you know you and a celebrity support the same team, it can be a great ice-breaker. For example, Mick Jagger is crazy about soccer, and he often attends the World Cup, although he also has a reputation for bringing bad luck when he supports a team. Joe Manganiello always watches his team matches while wearing a T.J. Watt Steelers.
The other two topics that many people can relate are pets and children. If you meet a celeb who loves them, that is your topic to engage in a conversation.
