# You are in close proximity to Obama or Trump, what do you do/say? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142 "2020-01-29T01:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/1 "2020-01-29T01:14:40Z")
Say you are in a crowd and either Obama or Trump suddenly comes by - or you are a restaurant/shop owner and Obama or Trump come in all of a sudden. You are within just a few feet of the President (or ex-President); maybe they are trying to shake your hand with all the other people in line or in the crowd, maybe they are here to buy something from your store, etc. (Gore was known to do some breakfast shopping of his own in person during his days as a candidate, and Obama sometimes went touring the streets and buying food himself in Montreal (or some other Canadian city) while abroad as president.) What would you do or say? (Serious answers please, not “I’d drop my pants and blow a wet fart.”) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/2 "2020-01-29T01:16:24Z")
Edit: You can also apply this thread question to any other living ex-President as well - Carter, Clinton, or Bush Jr. - thread not limited to Obama and Trump only. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/3 "2020-01-29T01:21:29Z")
If it were Obama, I’d say, “Thank you!” If it were Trump, I’d shake my head and say, “You’re an embarrassment.” ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/4 "2020-01-29T01:28:17Z")
I’d leave them the hell alone. Their lives are tough enough as it is without having to deal with some wanker like me. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/5 "2020-01-29T01:31:20Z")
Trump’s life is nowhere near tough enough. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/6 "2020-01-29T01:41:03Z")
Obama: “God Bless You. Mr. President.” Trump: SS drags me away before I get my pants unzipped. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/7 "2020-01-29T01:44:12Z")
Obama’s first foreign trip as president was to Canada: specifically Ottawa. After meeting with Prime Minister Harper the President had his entourage drive to a bakery in the downtown market area where he bought some cookies to take home. There are selfies of him and staff posted in the bakery. He was basically just in and out. A couple of years ago Obama and Trudeau got together for a beer in a brew pub just down the street from me in West Ottawa, which I frequent. Again there are some selfies of staff posing with him and Trudeau on the walls. From what I heard talking to the bartender the pub was closed to the public while they were there and apart from the selfies the staff just left them alone. That’s probably what I would do too, but I’d be tempted to ask if I could snap a selfie. I wouldn’t even acknowledge Trump if I saw him. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/8 "2020-01-29T02:01:22Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Obama’s first foreign trip as president was to Canada: specifically Ottawa. After meeting with Prime Minister Harper the President had his entourage drive to a bakery in the downtown market area where he bought some cookies to take home. There are selfies of him and staff posted in the bakery. He was basically just in and out. > > A couple of years ago Obama and Trudeau got together for a beer in a brew pub just down the street from me in West Ottawa, which I frequent. Again there are some selfies of staff posing with him and Trudeau on the walls. From what I heard talking to the bartender the pub was closed to the public while they were there and apart from the selfies the staff just left them alone. That’s probably what I would do too, but I’d be tempted to ask if I could snap a selfie. Whoops. I misremembered in a big way. For some reason I recalled it as Obama strolling down downtown Montreal, catching people by surprise. :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/9 "2020-01-29T02:27:19Z")
“Nice shoes.” ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/10 "2020-01-29T03:08:10Z")
“Thank you for your service. Your election will forever serve as a reminder to me that this country is capable of taking strides towards the more perfect Union our founders envisioned” … “Go fuck yourself, you Russian stooge.” ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/11 "2020-01-29T04:27:26Z")
In my job I’m around a lot of celebrities and politicians, and unless I have a reason to interact with them I just leave them be. There are a few public figures who I would be tempted to engage with, but I’ve never worked with any of them. And none are politicians. But I have two anecdotes on this topic… The first was a few years ago when I was introduced to a state governor. He was coming through a facility I was working at for the day and it turned out he knew one of our bosses. This all happened quickly and before I knew it I was in a sort of receiving line to meet him. Had I known, I would have made myself scarce because I considered this governor an odious person. But I summoned up my professionalism, shook his hand and said hello. Then I found the nearest restroom and washed up. I actually felt tarnished. The other story is one of my friend’s favorites - I’ll call him Bob Smith. He’s well known in our field and often does speeches and presentations. One day he was to give a talk at a conference and was riding up in the elevator when he realized he was standing next to a super famous movie star known to be an enthusiast in our profession. Bob is also accustomed to being around celebrities and simply stood there expressionless. At which point the super famous movie star turned and excitedly said, “Excuse me… aren’t you Bob Smith?!” ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/12 "2020-01-29T04:45:58Z")
I’d say “Thank you” to Obama and shake his hand. I wouldn’t acknowledge Trump, nor would I talk shit to him. He could and _would_ fuck up my life. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/13 "2020-01-29T05:02:06Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I’d say “Thank you” to Obama and shake his hand. I wouldn’t acknowledge Trump, nor would I talk shit to him. He could and _would_ fuck up my life. Similar to this but I would also offer sincere apologies to Obama for being late to the party and voting for the other guy in '08. ---
**Author:** ![skyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@skyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skyr)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/14 "2020-01-29T05:14:11Z")
If I saw Trump, I’d say “Thank you for your service to the country. It must be very stressful dealing with so much irrational hatred from people who have never even met you.” If I met Obama, I would say, “Nice to meet you, sir” because I am not the kind of person who would be disrespectful to a POTUS even when I totally disagree with him. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/15 "2020-01-29T05:24:10Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I’d say “Thank you” to Obama and shake his hand. I wouldn’t acknowledge Trump, nor would I talk shit to him. He could and _would_ fuck up my life. I wouldn’t acknowledge Trump because, frankly, the worst thing you could do to him is to have no idea who he is. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/16 "2020-01-29T05:34:56Z")
To donald dump: “If not for your dad you’d be asking me ‘You want fries with that’?” :mad::mad: ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/17 "2020-01-29T05:38:36Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > “Thank you for your service. Your election will forever serve as a reminder to me that this country is capable of taking strides towards the more perfect Union our founders envisioned” > … > “Go fuck yourself, you Russian stooge.” This. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/18 "2020-01-29T06:54:59Z")
I’d likely avoid contact with anyone well known, regardless of whether I admire them. Unless it were Jimmy Buffett, but probably then too. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2020, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/19 "2020-01-29T09:00:06Z")
> [@skyr](#): > > If I saw Trump, I’d say “Thank you for your service to the country. It must be very stressful dealing with so much irrational hatred from people who have never even met you.” o\_o \>\_\< o\_0 There’s _IR_rational hatred, too? Wonder what THAT looks like. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/20 "2020-01-29T09:52:58Z")
If by some misfortune I was near Trump I’d stay as quiet and invisible as possible because I have no desire to be touched - whether by handshake, hug, or pussygrab - by someone I have always considered loathsome. I already bumped into Obama. Granted, it was much earlier in his career when he was still unknown outside Illinois. I said a polite hello when I recognized him. We exchanged pleasantries. He asked if I had voted for him. I said no, living in Indiana that would not be proper but said that if he ran for an office where I could vote for him I’d certainly consider it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142.md?page=2)