why do people do this...

[FOCI]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:02pm

Bring performers gifts??
Can someone please explain to me the phenomena of why someone would bring a gift(many times an expensive one) to a performer they don't know at all?
Can someone who does this please explain to me what the logic behind it is.
Also, what is the logic behind raising money and then giving it to a charity in a performer's name when they had nothing to do with it?

Updated On: 12/7/04 at 05:02 PM

[TabooWickedFan]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:04pm

um maybe people do it to show their gratitude, some may do it because of a holiday or a birthday. So people just like giving people things there is nothing wrong with that, people are just generous and enjoy giving others little gifts that they will enjoy

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:06pm

Maybe they just want to do it for no reason other than the gratification they feel when giving their idol something.

Or, if the person is creepy, they have a fantasy of their idol getting the gift and feeling so touched that they will contact the gift-giver.

[check your personality]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:08pm

I always kind of thought that the star would get a little creeped out by a gift.. but I really don't know for sure, just seems a bit strange, I guess.

[luvWICKED416]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:11pm

I think gifts are a nice gesture... these performers are playing for the fans, and there are sooo many of them, it's important that I few stick out. I and don't think there's anyhting creepy about it at all... just put yourself in their shoes. Coming out the stage door and getting flowers and collages and letters and cards... they're just nice tokens of appreciation from fans, I think you're just looking into it too much

[CJR]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:15pm

A lot of people get satisfaction out of doing something nice for someone else. Random acts of kindness -- even if it is a performer they admire. It's like a 'thank you for doing such a great job.' Maybe this performer inspired said person to really go after their dream, or to keep trying and never give up. Performers typically are pretty touched and very grateful to get things for this reason, even if it is a cute little card or a letter... it's just a little thought and thank you, I would think.

I personally have never gotten/given a gift to a performer I didn't know. I only do the whole 'friend opening night in a show' gift. Even then, with some of my friends who have been in and out of a show a few times over, now when they return, I'll do a cute opening night card or something. So while I can't say I've ever gotten something for someone I don't know, I can understand why someone would.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:16pm

I think it depends on the gift. A cute little plushie bear or some flowers would be sweet. An earlobe or a fingernail would send up a few flares, I think.

[FOCI]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:23pm

I understand about flowers and collages, picture frames, teddy bears stuff like that etc. But I have heard recently about people buying like soap and bath stuff or gift certificates to a clothing store or something for a performer. I mean, I just don't understand.....

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:27pm

Flowers are one thing, but some of that other stuff creeps me out a little.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:29pm

Someone gave Hugh Jackman once some sex toys, or random items with post-its labelling them with sexual innuendo. It was on the BFO message board a few months ago.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:30pm

Mister Matt, you always have a way of making me laugh!!

I worked for a ballet company once and there was one dancer who was always very nice to me. When he got promoted to soloist I sent him flowers and he seemed to really appreciate it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:30pm

Why Margo, you wouldn't an admirer in a tattered coat come into your dressing room out of the rain? Whyever not? She's seen every performance...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:39pm

"Birdie! The heave-ho!"

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:43pm

I think something that relates to the performer is ok, such as a photo collage, drawing, etc.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:44pm

Unless you superimpose an image of yourself humping their leg in the photo collage. Or you give them a photo of what your love child would look like.

Updated On: 12/7/04 at 05:44 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:46pm

"You can't put her out! I promised..."

[FOCI]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:49pm

Matt, Margo-I love you guys...

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:49pm

LOL. Maybe kind words at the stage door would be just fine.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:53pm

"Autograph fiends, they're not people. Those are little beasts that run around in packs like coyotes...They're nobody's fans. They're juvenile delinquent, they're mental defective, and nobody's audience. They never see a play or a movie even. They're never indoors long enough."

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:58pm

"Margo, you've got to see her, she worships you, it's like something out of a book."

[check your personality]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 6:25pm

Yeah, you guys are right - it all depends on the gift and how it is presented. I think generally it is a great idea, with good intentions, but some people just are a little weird with the whole "whatever it takes to be number one fan" thing.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 6:28pm

"Oh, the mousy one with the trench coat and a funny hat..."

"I've seen every performance...I'd like anything Miss Channing played in...I think that part of Miss Channing's greatness lies in her ability to pick the best plays."

[Mythus]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 6:35pm

I wouldn't give a performer anything from Bath and Body Works or The Body Shop. That's my advice.

My friend (who is a girl) brought a home-baked cookie to the stage door for Roger Bart after The Frogs. It said "You're my IDOL!" in white frosting. It was a sizeable cookie. Roger, from what I remember my friend saying, was extremely excited to get a cookie. And judging from the pictures that her father took, he loved it. He looks so giddy. Oh, man, I love these pictures. So adorable. *tries to tear eyes away*

If I had that much courage, I would've brought him a cookie when I saw The Frogs. I also would've needed an oven, though, since I was in a hotel and my room didn't even have a microwave. Or, maybe it did. I don't remember.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 7:00pm

If I were famous, I'd be afraid of eating a homemade cookie from someone I didn't know. Maybe I'm just paranoid, though.
I agree that buying an expensive gift is going too far, but I do think flowers and homemade stuff like collages and cards are nice tokens of appreciation.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 7:02pm

Tiff, are you serious? Ew. Though some of the people at the BFO message board did freak me out a bit back when I read it.