Why I don’t (usually) ask celebrities for autographs or photographs

[almostwitty]

Ever since I started working properly in the media business, well-meaning friends and family will often ponder if I can get them an autograph for someone. This is a little tricky because:

• I don’t generally meet celebrities any more in my line of work anyway!
• Even if I did, it’d be very hard to interrupt an interview or a meeting with a “Oh by the

Comments

[almostwitty]

He is.

If it wasn't for him, I'd have gotten a third in my degree...

[almostwitty]

I do keep meaning to write it up...

[nicnac]

I mostly don't see the point in autographs. I say mostly because I've had e.g. Judy Dench sign the cover of an RSC prog from a play she was in, but that was because I intended to frame the prog - wouldn't be much interested in a piece of paper with a scrawl on it.

[chiller]

How utterly weird. I was just on a website buying some steel boning, and at the top of the list of things they had, they had "aglets" listed. So of course I went to have a look because I didn't know what they are.

Literally two minutes later you post this, and I follow the link to Stephen Fry's blog, and on page one, what does he mention but an "aglet"?

Huh.

[almostwitty]

Steel boning? Are you making a corset?

[chiller]

Yes. No. I do make corsets, but I'm actually making a rather unusual belt for a kimono, that mimics the obi without actually being an obi.

[almostwitty]

There is no end to your talents.

[travelsintown]

We get the odd celeb come to the gardens as visitors and occasionally as guests for some event of other. I once elbowed members of the public out of the way at work once when Paul McCartney was here to get his autograph for my mum.

General rule is at work don't ask, it's just not cool and anyway is not especially professional.

[almostwitty]

But if the general rule is not to ask, why did you elbow people to get Macca's signature? ;)

[travelsintown]

Because I was young and naive and not very important at work (was about 8 years ago) I should have explained that bit!

[acrylic_after]

I'm always far too shy to just approach someone cold, because I don't want to be a pest. I'm not saying it's the same as being famous, but strangers often approach me and try to strike up a conversation because they notice my accent, and while most of the time I'm happy to chat to folks and big up Canada, sometimes that gets rather irritating, so it must be many times worse to deal with that all the time. Maybe if I was sat next to someone I was an admirer of somewhere, or brushed shoulders through a job or something I would tell them I liked their work, but asking for autographs and photos seems mega uncool in most circumstances. Besides, everyone's a fucking celebrity these days, and I don't think famous people sightings are as rare as perhaps they once were.

I did once walk past Jarvis Cocker (who is surely in at least my top 10 favorite famous folks) in the crowd at a festival, and I do kind of wish I'd told him that I think he's ace, or at least flashed him a smile or something, but I was way too shy.