# Is it okay to tell a stranger they look like someone famous? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070 "2010-02-23T02:32:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Green\_Rosetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Green\_Rosetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Rosetta)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/81 "2010-02-25T05:46:43Z")
I chose “only if the celeb is attractive.” I think it can be a nice ice breaker, say if you’re at a cocktail party or something where you don’t really know anyone but you’re going to have to be there for awhile so you might as well strike up a conversation with a stranger. I get routinely stopped by strangers who tell me I look like Anne Hathaway. My best friend has gotten so used to it that he now immediately answers (for me), “This is Anne Hathaway.” I don’t take it as anything but a compliment, but I’ve heard it so often now that it gets kind of annoying when the person behind me in line at Taco Bell taps me on the shoulder to tell me. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/82 "2010-02-25T14:18:13Z")
I was recently waiting on a guy who looked a LOT like Cheech Marin. I asked him, “Are you who I think you are?” and he said no, but he’s done double work for Cheech. But I don’t usually mention it, unless I really think it’s the famous person. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/83 "2010-02-25T15:08:28Z")
> [@rinni](#): > > I was in fact slightly offended to be told I look like “an ugly version of Alanis Morissette.” Someone seriously said this to your face? Whoever it was, they should not be allowed to interact with humans. > [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](#): > > Another nth vote for generally not ok. I mean, proceed with caution. I once told a clerk he looked like an English actor/comedian, but his face fell when I thought of the name - Mr. Bean. And I don’t blame him. So I keep my mouth shut. I laughed and laughed imagining the look on the guy’s face when you compared him to Mr. Bean. And, as George Costanza discovered, if you are Caucasian, never, ever tell an African American that they look just like [Famous African-American Celebrity]. Just. Don’t. Do. It. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/84 "2010-02-25T15:36:29Z")
I used to have a roommate who looked quite a bit like Tom Hanks at the time (they’ve both aged 15 years since then.) He would get told this all the time, whenever we went out – and that’s just when he was with me. I can’t imagine how often he heard it when I wasn’t around. Whenever someone would say “Hey… you know who you look like?” He would just nod and smile knowingly. He never seemed to mind, although I think sometimes it was a bit embarassing. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/85 "2010-02-25T16:28:08Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > So uhh, how y’all doin?\* Not so good. I totally lost my shit on this guy at work the other day, and now it’s all over the radio. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/86 "2010-02-25T16:33:39Z")
It’s all right. The guy was probably a total fucking amateur who deserved it. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/87 "2010-02-25T16:50:46Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > I have been told that I look like the following actors : > > 1. Jack Nicholson > > 2. Bob Newhart > > 3. Gary Burghoff > > 4. Kelsey Grammer > > 5. Tim Conway > And, when I was younger and had more hair, a girl in my class said that I looked like “Hermey the Misfit Elf” (who wanted to be a dentist) in “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. > No, I was never the least bit offended! Oops, I forgot one! 6) Jason Alexander Yes, I have been compared to the immortal “George Costanza” himself! I took it as a compliment… ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/88 "2010-02-25T19:05:59Z")
I voted for it being okay but as others have said, I guess it depends on who one is being compared to. Over the years I’ve been compared to Mary Tyler Moore (before she got all scary looking, poor thing), Pat Benetar and Sigourney Weaver, all no doubt due to my big, horsey smile. The only one that used to irritate me a little was when people said I looked just like Rosie Perez. Thing is, I totally do, but I absolutely loathe her so I didn’t appreciate the comparison. I had to remind myself that they were just talking about her looks, not her godawful voice and worse personality. Still, I’m flad she’s not on anyone’s radar anymore. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/89 "2010-02-26T14:36:24Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > I was recently waiting on a guy who looked a LOT like Cheech Marin. I asked him, “Are you who I think you are?” and he said no, but he’s done double work for Cheech. But I don’t usually mention it, unless I really think it’s the famous person. > > Joe Wow. I recently saw possibly the same guy. We were flying home from vacation, and this guy was on the last leg of the flight, Charlotte to Pittsburgh. He caught me staring, smiled, and said, “Nope, we just look alike”. I had to explain the situation to my gf. When we were waiting for our luggage, I did a GIS on my laptop and showed her a current Cheech Marin pic. She was shocked. ---
**Author:** ![uncle\_squeegee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b5e925/32.png) [@uncle\_squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uncle_squeegee)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/90 "2010-02-26T16:06:00Z")
Here’s a new one for me, and it made my day: We have a freind staying with us for a few weeks. When I got home from work last night, I was wearing my vintage aviator-style sunglasses and a black sweater. As I walked in the door, she said “You look like Steve McQueen.” ---
**Author:** ![RedBloom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/91 "2010-02-26T17:59:47Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > A friend of mine in college looked JUST like Keenen Ivory Wayans. He was white. I don’t remember if I told him or not. Another friend was nicknamed Snow White because she looked just like the original Disney Snow White. She was Chinese. Go figure. My mom is white, but she looks exactly like the Florence (the maid) from The Jefferson’s. She is told this frequently. I have people tell me I look like a white Rosie Perez too. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/92 "2010-02-26T19:01:55Z")
Depends entirely upon the situation, the stranger, and the famous person you’re comparing them to. My ex-wife’s father once told a waitress she reminded him of a famous singer. Mama Cass. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/93 "2010-02-26T19:55:41Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > But I did get offended when someone told me I looked like Mama Cass. > [@KneadToKnow](#): > > My ex-wife’s father once told a waitress she reminded him of a famous singer. Mama Cass. Now I wonder if I looked like the waittress! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/94 "2010-02-26T20:31:07Z")
I’ve never minded, but then again I’m an actor… at least in my head… so it’s theoretically helpful to know what “type” I am. Unfortunately, there seems to be little agreement on the matter. In the past five years, several people told me I looked like a young (Bonnie & Clyde era) Warren Beatty – which is bizarre as I’m not at all that young, and on my best day, wearing a vest and a boater and toting a gun, I still don’t look like Warren Beatty. I was once cast as Orson Welles in a recreated “War of the Worlds” broadcast because of a supposed resemblance. I’ve also been told I look like Gilbert Godfried, which made a bit more sense to me I used to get Tom Hanks a lot, but apparently we’ve aged differently because I haven’t heard that one in a long time. Basically, I’m a white guy. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/95 "2010-02-26T21:37:25Z")
From my experience, it is a very chancy thing telling a woman she looks like another woman, no matter how hot the other woman is. I know one woman who got ticked off because a guy told her she looked like Uma Thurman. OTOH, she didn’t seem to mind at all when I told her she had Botticelli eyes. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/96 "2010-02-26T21:53:17Z")
When I was younger, sometimes I’d hear I looked like some person or other (Tom Hanks? Steve Martin?). I always wondered why people think that’s an interesting thing to say. “Uh…thanks, I guess?” ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/97 "2010-02-26T21:54:01Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Basically, I’m a white guy. Damn. That was going to be my second guess. So, given your username, I have to ask: no one’s ever compared you to David Bowie? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/98 "2010-02-26T21:57:06Z")
I had a boss once who was told that he looked like Clint Eastwood, Johnny Carson, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, and Harrison Ford. The weird thing is he did- you could see every one of them. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/99 "2010-02-27T02:02:26Z")
> [@Green\_Rosetta](#): > > I get routinely stopped by strangers who tell me I look like Anne Hathaway. My best friend has gotten so used to it that he now immediately answers (for me), “This is Anne Hathaway.” I don’t take it as anything but a compliment, but I’ve heard it so often now that it gets kind of annoying when the person behind me in line at Taco Bell taps me on the shoulder to tell me. Giggity! ---
**Author:** ![luv2draw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@luv2draw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luv2draw)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070/100 "2010-02-27T03:50:05Z")
Last place I worked there was a young lady there who looked so much like Elvis she could have been his secret daughter. No, never said a word to her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-tell-a-stranger-they-look-like-someone-famous/530070.md?page=6)