When is being a fan, just that, and when is it crossing a line???
The other day I received a message on my Twitter account, that said, and I’m paraphrasing here; “Oh how lovely it is that you and Yannick can attend things like concerts without being ‘bothered’.”
Oh. You spoke too soon.
Let me preface this post by saying for the most part people are quite lovely, respectful, and generally don’t even talk to him/us when they come across us out and about in the world. They might smile, letting him know that they know who he is, but often they don’t cross the line of approaching for a photo. But then there are also the people who literally have zero boundaries. This might be because there is alcohol at play, or it might be thanks to social media people feel like they know people they watch on TV. I know my entire content of my blog has me “open for business” as it were. Which I’m totally here for. I built it that way, and I like it. We’re all fans on some level. Hell, even Yanny Bissony himself during the photo op we purchased for my dad, and ourselves, so we could be there with him when he met them, got a little “weird” with the guys of Chicago, on YB’s part.
There we were walking up for our time to get our photo taken with them, which we know from being back stage with Rick, and meeting Kiss this exact same way, there is no time for “chit chatting” this is NOT a meet and greet, this is a photo op.
Line up. Walk up. Stand with the band. Move along.
Otherwise, as we’ve seen first hand with YB himself, how a night without any order can turn into a huge disaster with nobody getting what they thought they were getting, or what they came for.
So, knowing this imagine my surprise when Yannick got pretty chatty with the guys. I think he front loaded tequila before he got to the concert, since I only bought him one drink. Anyway, whatever was going on, it was quite funny as he stood with the guys and asked; “Do you guys spend any time in Malibu?”
To which they responded; “Yeah of course.”
“You probably know my best friend.”
The guys look around, wondering how on earth they might know this dude in Toronto’s best friend from Malibu…I do what any good wife does and come in for the save. “Oh he’s talking about our good friend Rick, Rick Springfield.”
The band lights up. They all start saying; “Yeah, of course.” “Totally know Rick.” “Keith here played with Rick…”
Meanwhile the handler in charge of keeping things moving is now sweating bullets. I delicately lead YB away from the band as he calls over his shoulder; “See you guys in Malibu in December.” Sure Fanboy Yanny Bissony, I’m sure you will.
It happens to the best of us. And in the right scenario it’s not only okay, it’s welcomed. Artists are thankful for the support, they love that you’re listening, that you’re watching, that of all the things, you as an audience member could be doing/watching/listening to with your time, you’ve chosen them. It’s flattering for sure.
But you know what isn’t flattering ladies. Googling the shit out of my husband when you’re literally right in front of me, and then trying to catch his eye to get his attention to do, what? I honestly don’t know? Get the photo? This I don’t understand. We all know we can see one another’s screens when in a stadium situation, we’re literally on top of one another. Also what isn’t cool. Is when me, the wife is walking, minding my own business and a lady with her husband comes up to me, grabs my arm and says; “Hey I’ve seen you with the guy from Murdoch all night. Are you married to him? Is he your husband? Cuz he’s soooo hot. You know he’s hot right.”
I stand there mouth agape wondering, if her husband had also been what one considered “hot” would she have liked it very much if I just randomly pulled her aside to let her know that?
Maybe she would have. But my guess is she would think I was off my rocker, and crossing a boundary. So if it wouldn’t be okay for me to treat her this way, why should it be alright that people treat me this way? The answer is it isn’t.
I get why Chris Pratt, Justin Bieber’s and countless others have started to no longer oblige people with photos. Some times it just isn’t the right moment for it. Sometimes a person who is in the public eye should really be allowed to enjoy their night the same way you’re enjoying yours, off the clock as it were. Anyway, the woman who googled him got her photo, I hope she’s happy. As for the woman who wanted me to know my husband is hot, I wish I had had the words to just let her know that maybe that’s not an appropriate thing to say to another woman about her husband. As for the lovely couple who were in line in front of us for the photo op with Chicago, married almost as many years as the band has been together. They did it right. It was a quiet moment, we were all standing in the same place at the same time, and she kindly asked for a photo, “if it wasn’t too much trouble.”
So to answer your question Twitter friend; we don’t actually get to go out to concerts, or anywhere anymore without some requests for photos, or at least one inappropriate fan interaction. And the bottom line is; “we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.” If he doesn’t give them the photo he’s a dick; and if he does, where does it stop so that we can just be a couple out enjoying a date night with loved ones?
And before anybody comes at me with hate for being ungrateful, please reread the section of this post that talks about the deep sense of gratitude not only YB has for the love people have for his work as Murdoch, but every artist we know who feel the same sense of wonder that they have fans. That being said, some days it would be nice to not have to, in my case, deflect comments from people that aren’t well thought out. You know the saying; walk a mile in somebody else’s shoes before approaching somebody you’re a fan of. I have to do it all the time when I’m living in Malibu for the winter. I see soooooo many people I’m a huge fan of, but am content to be thankful for the sighting, with no need for further interaction. I guess for me, being an idealistic person, I’m always hoping that others will treat me as I would treat them. I wouldn’t grab photos of your man cuz he was good looking, or google him, and I wouldn’t tell you that your hubby was hot. I suppose the bit about all of this that makes me wonder, is when are people just being fans, and when are they going that little bit too far??? And how do I, the wife ask people to just “back off.”
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm.
