Why is meeting/seeing a celebrity so exciting?

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Just curious. What makes meeting a celebrity so exciting? A year ago a famous personality might have been waiting tables. Same person, but hardly acknowledged then, fascinating now. What's the deal?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I guess I might be a loner in this one, but seeing a friend excites me more then a celebrity. Sure I listen to both, but at least a friend I talk to.

 

[cornflake]

I don't think it is. It might be minorly notable conversationwise (same as any other unusual thing - 'this guy on the train had a monkey' 'I can look down at Tom Cruise's head, dude is so short.'), but it's not like I've ever been excited by it.

 

[FergieTCat]

It depends on who it is.

I shook President Clinton's hand. I am a huge supporter of the Clintons, so it was a thrill for me.

Barry Manilow has been my idol since I was 16. I met him at a cd signing -- nice experience.

I live in New York City and have seen many celebrities over the years. Sometimes I care, most times I don't.

 

[cornflake]

It depends on who it is.

I shook President Clinton's hand. I am a huge supporter of the Clintons, so it was a thrill for me.

Barry Manilow has been my idol since I was 16. I met him at a cd signing -- nice experience.

I live in New York City and have seen many celebrities over the years. Sometimes I care, most times I don't.

This too really.

Like if I met... Buzz Aldrin that'd be cool, dude walked on the moon and will punch you in the face if you think otherwise; I think he's cool.

Hence if I met Aldrin, I might be all 'guess what? I met Buzz Aldrin, he didn't punch me!'

In general, don't care and it's only ever minorly notable if there's something about it, like Tom Cruise being short. I wouldn't say like 'oh, guess what, I met ... whomever... because .

 

[undertheradar]

It amazes me how many people who live here in SoCal get excited over celebs. Our kids are in school with different celebs kids, we shop the same malls, grab the same take-out. I don't get the fixation and honestly wouldn't want my kids at some of these celebs houses. Always interesting which celebs try and blend in and which ones want to be noticed.

 

[Handbag Lady]

It amazes me how many people who live here in SoCal get excited over celebs. Our kids are in school with different celebs kids, we shop the same malls, grab the same take-out. I don't get the fixation and honestly wouldn't want my kids at some of these celebs houses. Always interesting which celebs try and blend in and which ones want to be noticed.

Same here. I don't get it, but I work with a lot of famous people daily. My family can't understand why I don't go all googly-eyed. Maybe because we see it every day and they are just people to us?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

This too really.

^^^This. I mentioned in the celebrity thread meeting a famous hockey player - my FAVORITE player as it turns out. That was a thrill. Meeting my congressman? Meh, not so much.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

It's like seing a panda. They're rare, unless you live in certain parts of the world (China/Hollywood), and cute. Sure, there's thousands of pictures online, but there's just something a bit more magical about seeing one in person. Note: I've still never seen a live panda.

I have to admit I got totally starstruck when I met two of my idols (Jane Goodall and Penny Chenery). But they're not traditional "celebrities". I think meeting one's idols is in a different class than average celebrities.

 

[Robinrs]

Just curious. What makes meeting a celebrity so exciting? A year ago a famous personality might have been waiting tables. Same person, but hardly acknowledged then, fascinating now. What's the deal?

Just like Disneyworld, some people get it, some people don't.

 

[christineann]

It would depend upon who it is - is it an individual who has contributed to society (medicine or science or helping others in another way), or is it an entertainer? Meeting the former would be preferable.

 

[NYEmomma]

I feel the same way... in fact, I'm completely adverse to meeting "celebrities". I've just got NO desire to do it. I used to go to a LOT of concerts and had an acquaintance who wrote for a popular music magazine. He knew all the guys in the bands and of course, they always wanted to shmooze him up to get some press coverage. But the idea of me hanging out with everyone just completely turned me off. Maybe it's because I'm generally anti-social and seem to have a distinct lack of social skills. I'm just not capable of making small talking and saying, "hey, nice show, I love your band" seems totally cliche.

 

[KristaTX]

It's like seeing a Lamborghini in the grocery store parking lot, or a bald eagle in places where they are not common, or a snake when you don't expect it, or a shooting "star" in the sky, or even like running into a friend when you don't expect it at all.

Yeah, I don't understand running up to celebrities and making any kind of big embarrassing deal about it. But it is easy for me to see why spotting one is exciting. It's unusual.

 

[mhsjax]

I have no desire to meet anyone famous. I don't get it. But then again, I seem to have a very negative view of most celebs. I am sure most of them are very nice, but I really just don't care to find out. I don't know them ad they mean nothing to me. They are just doing a job that "puts them out there". I have more respect for Dr's, nurses, good teachers, that type of thing, not a great sports future or an actor or someone who can sing. While I may enjoy their talent, it doesn't impress me or cause me to get excited JHMO.

 

[Bob NC]

I don't find meeting a celebrity exciting at all. I wouldn't walk across the street to meet some of my favorite actors or sports figures.

Just because I like the way somebody acted in a movie or tv show doesn't mean I would have even a fleeting interest in them outside what they do for a living. I don't have any interest in what they do day to day and I really have no interest in their political or humanitarian views.

I have friends that won't watch certain actors because of their stand on social or political issues. Ya know what? I don't give a rats behind what the political views are of someone I don't know or interact with.

Take an example, Susan Sarandon, without my investigating or even having an interest in any of her views, she frequently pops up being reported on for these things, and I realize I agree very little with what she has to say. However, the only thing I am concerned with about her is how she acted in that 2 hour period of time she was in a movie I watched. Do I want to see or meet her? Why would I?

Matt Damon, I like him, what would we talk about If I ran into him on the street? He's a complete stranger. "Hey Matt, remember those Bourne films? You were great in those." LOL. Or, should I be excited just to 'see' him. Why would I want to see him? I liked Jason Bourne, I don't know anything about Matt Damon. I'd rather run into my neighbor on the street.

 

[ckay87]

I don't have much desire to meet celebrities for a different reason.... I really feel that I would have nothing much to say, other than "I love your work, bla bla bla" the usual. It would be a waste of everyone's time.

That said...put me right up front and center at a Foo Fighters or Bon Jovi concert and I will promply pee my pants - I am not too cool to admit that.