# 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:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/41 "2020-01-29T18:34:48Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > For both: > > “It is an honor to meet you.” > > Because of their current/past POTUS status. Anything else would just make me look like someone who doesn’t know how to behave in public. And I do know how to behave in public. I’d go with this. I’ve never met a President before. ---
**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, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/42 "2020-01-29T18:37:59Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’d go with this. I’ve never met a President before. I listen to Penn Jilette’s podcast and he’s talked about the “Monkey Fist” wish that fate fulfilled for him. He had always wanted to meet a president, but it turned out when he did it was Donald Trump (on Celebrity Apprentice before he was elected). Not what he’d had in mind… ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/43 "2020-01-29T18:49:59Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Obama: Hi. Can’t wait to see your Library. That was horrible about Kobe Bryant, huh? > > Nice and polite, I’d be. I figure he’d like talking about basketball related stuff, and that would be a current events way to bring it up. > Trump: **I’m sorry, do I know you from somewhere**? > > I figure that would piss him off. You could say "pardon my bad memory, but didn’t I see you in Home Alone 2? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/44 "2020-01-29T18:52:43Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > I like to ask questions. > > Obama: Do you regret trying to work with Republicans on the Affordable Care Act? > > Trump: **What does Putin’s cock taste like?** Only problem is Trump would likely respond with “I can personally arrange for you to have a sample” or just pucker up to give you a kiss. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/45 "2020-01-29T19:08:15Z")
> [@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. This, exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/46 "2020-01-29T19:13:20Z")
“Read your book, it was awful. I want my money back!” Works for both Trump and Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/47 "2020-01-29T19:43:07Z")
I’ve never met a president. I’ve worked a couple of presidential security details (2 in the US 1 in Iraq). I was close to the motorcade each time but never saw the big guy. Regardless of who the president past present future I would shake their hand and say “Hello Mr President.” Unless it’s not a Mr in the future. If it was available I would take a picture. I guess I’m just not that edgy. If you want to be clever you can ask the president if he’s a lizard like Louis CK once did to Donald Rumsfeld. [Are You A Lizard - YouTube](https://youtu.be/xz_gy7-bOoo) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/48 "2020-01-29T20:03:20Z")
I would be polite as I would to anyone. I’m not sure I would initiate any conversation but if they did so I would talk to them as I would anyone else. And God help them if they ask my honest opinion about something because I will give it to them. I was around President Carter after his time in office for a couple days and I’ve been around some “second place competitors” from that level of politics. In other words I don’t consider them anything special. One of the Supremes – maybe. But not a POTUS or wannabe POTUS. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/49 "2020-01-29T21:30:08Z")
With Obama, I would probably say “Thank you for your service. I wish you and your family all the best”. I’m not inclined to be disrespectful. If someone starts it first, I reserve the right. But I find staying calm and polite works better. With Trump, I might say “Bless your heart”, if anything. The Office of the President still deserves some respect. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/50 "2020-01-29T22:28:47Z")
Have met Bill Clinton post-presidency, and I believe that with Obama who, besides, is of my own generation, I’d probably do the same: Cordial and respectful but since they are no longer Presidents no need to be too stiff about it. A pleasant greeting, so glad to meet you in person, a brief comment or question appropriate to the circumstance, looking good, good luck on everything you may be up to. Would be about as pleased to have an episode of the shingles as to hang around Donald for non-official purposes. But if work requires it I will say “Good Morning/Evening, sir, (nice day/terrible weather) isn’t it” and let each other carry on with our respective duties. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/51 "2020-01-30T00:01:54Z")
For Obama, I’d say “It’s an honor to meet you, thank you for the job you did as president.” For Trump I’d give him as ugly a look as I can muster but not say anything. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2020, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/52 "2020-01-30T05:45:28Z")
If I were near Obama, I might just take a pop culture shot in the dark and ask him if he ever watched _Warehouse 13_. It was a science fiction series from several years ago based around a team of individuals that hunted down supernaturally powered objects that, in many cases, were associated with famous people in history. The final episode, set far in the future, involves a basketball once used by Obama. Now, he probably didn’t actually watch the show, but I like to think he might enjoy a light diversion from all of the serious and heavy stuff people probably want to talk to him about. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2020, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/53 "2020-01-30T12:17:41Z")
I don’t waste my time with meaningless gestures. Expressing my opinions would be pointless in either case. If possible, I’d say nothing to either. If greeted, I’d respond politely to either of them. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/54 "2020-01-30T13:51:43Z")
Whenever I see Trump’s motorcade, I give it the finger, but that is very common in DC. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/55 "2020-01-31T00:06:50Z")
I’m pretty shy, so I wouldn’t say anything to Obama. I’d just try to avoid bothering him. If I’m just running into him in passing he’d probably rather not be bothered. Trump, I would sneer in disgust and try to get away from the shitstain in chief. I might consider avoiding the establishment if there was any chance of running into him again. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142/56 "2020-01-31T21:23:47Z")
Obama “Hello, good to meet you.” Trump “Hello, good to meet you.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-in-close-proximity-to-obama-or-trump-what-do-you-do-say/847142.md?page=2)