# Don't you know who I am?? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439 "2015-02-23T19:38:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/1 "2015-02-23T19:38:59Z")
While I’ve never encountered this situation, I feel it’s important to be ready with a proper response, and I’d like to know what your reply would be/has been if it happens/happened to you. You’re waiting or working in an obviously busy, frantic, crowded situation. All of a sudden, someone angrily demands “Don’t you know who I am?” and you see an actor/singer/sports figure/celeb expecting special treatment. What do you do if you’re the worker being accosted? What if you’re a bystander in the crowd? What is your perfect reaction? [ul] [li]If working at a desk or counter that includes access to the PA system, I’d have to announce “Attention please. We have a man/woman at the front who doesn’t seem to know who he/she is. If you’ve lost such a person, please see me.” [/li][li]As a bystander, I might helpfully say “Do you have a cell phone? You might check for you emergency contact and call them. Would you like me to help you with that?”[/li][li]Or, perhaps: “Aren’t you _\_? I’m your biggest fan!!!”[/li][/ul] By golly, if the opportunity ever presents itself, I’m ready! How about you? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/2 "2015-02-23T19:44:51Z")
“Yes: you’re an asshole. I wasn’t completely sure until you opened your mouth. Now get back in line and wait your turn like everyone else!” Alternatively, without the profanity: “Oh hey, it’s you! The person who just volunteered to let ALL of these people go ahead of you!” ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/3 "2015-02-23T19:56:04Z")
(Loudly) What’s that, Mr./Miss \, you’re buying lunch \ for every person in line? That’s super; what a guy/gal! ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/4 "2015-02-23T19:59:27Z")
[blank stare] “No.” ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/5 "2015-02-23T21:30:23Z")
Yes, you are an obstacle that is preventing me from (insert goal here), please (insert action here) ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/6 "2015-02-23T21:31:57Z")
I don’t know if I’d call it a “perfect” response, but my real response would be “I was attempting to protect your privacy by giving you the same excellent service as all of customers.” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/7 "2015-02-23T21:32:33Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > [blank stare] “No.” This. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/8 "2015-02-23T21:49:04Z")
My response would be to stare momentarily, then let my face light up in recognition. “It _is_ you! Bob Sadowski, from high school! Say, you’ve put on weight.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/9 "2015-02-23T21:55:37Z")
“You’re a customer; a jewel upon the cushion of my employer’s hospitality, who will be receiving the best service I can possibly provide. Just as soon as it’s your turn.” ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/10 "2015-02-23T21:56:09Z")
“Moe Greene?” ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/11 "2015-02-23T21:58:33Z")
“I knew it! The Elephant Man!” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/12 "2015-02-23T22:00:39Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > My response would be to stare momentarily, then let my face light up in recognition. > > “It _is_ you! Bob Sadowski, from high school! Say, you’ve put on weight.” Ned Ryerson. ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/13 "2015-02-23T22:04:08Z")
Are we assuming we know for a fact that the person in question is really just a nobody who has an overinflated sense of self-importance? What if it really was some very powerful person? I’m sure if he wanted to, Warren Buffett could make my life a living hell. Call me spineless but I wouldn’t intentionally do anything to get on his bad side, even if he was acting like a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/14 "2015-02-23T22:04:41Z")
Been there multiple times when I worked Security. I gave them a big, broad smile with wide eyes and said “I don’t care who you are!” then told them the exact same thing I told anyone else in that situation. You’re a prof at a very small university. No one cares. You’re a baseball player at a division III school. No one cares. You’re the singer in a local band. No one cares. No, I have no idea who you are. Go fuck yourself. No one cares. > [@](#): > > “It is you! Bob Sadowski, from high school! Say, you’ve put on weight.” “I wasn’t expecting the sex change either. Is it Robin now?” 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/15 "2015-02-23T22:07:44Z")
> [@arseNal](#): > > Are we assuming we know for a fact that the person in question is really just a nobody who has an overinflated sense of self-importance? What if it really was some very powerful person? I’m sure if he wanted to, Warren Buffett could make my life a living hell. Call me spineless but I wouldn’t intentionally do anything to get on his bad side, even if he was acting like a jerk. Warren Buffet wouldn’t be dealing face to face with a minion in the first place. In fact _anyone_ who could plausibly get away with demanding special treatment would not be dealing with a minion. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/16 "2015-02-23T22:11:48Z")
“Either Starsky or Hutch, I can never remember.” ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/17 "2015-02-23T22:15:55Z")
When it actually did happen to me, I responded in the most insulting tones I could muster, “Yes. And…?” Strangely, the guy came back several times after that and turned out to be a very nice person and a good customer. We got quite friendly. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/18 "2015-02-23T22:21:28Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Been there multiple times when I worked Security. I gave them a big, broad smile with wide eyes and said “I don’t care who you are!” Never had the opportunity, but this is exactly what I would do. ‘Well I do/do not (as appropriate), but here’s the thing: I don’t _care_. You need to follow the rules like everyone else.’ ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/19 "2015-02-23T22:23:19Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Warren Buffet wouldn’t be dealing face to face with a minion in the first place. > > In fact _anyone_ who could plausibly get away with demanding special treatment would not be dealing with a minion. I don’t think this is true. Also, I didn’t know we were also assuming we’re total bottom of the totem pole peons. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439/20 "2015-02-23T22:25:25Z")
I’d say firstly, “Yes” or “No”, depending on which was correct. And then follow up by saying, “But I need to follow the instructions for my job, so you will need to speak to the manager if you want to negotiate something else.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-know-who-i-am/713439.md?page=2)