When Famous People Get Starstruck

I went to The Masters yesterday and ended up spending most of the day seating near Condoleezza Rice as she and another member named Walter were marshaling the tee box at #6. She was very gracious to all of the patrons as well as all of the players and their families.

One thing stuck out to me during the day: All of the golfers recognized that she was more famous than they were. Several of them asked to have their picture taken with her, they introduced her to their wives and children, and generally acted like the rest of us do when we encounter someone of higher status and/or fame.

Very interesting.

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Best Response

It could also be that fame is relative. Lloyd Blankfein is a big deal on here, but to the layperson, sitting next to him in the airport would be the same as sitting next to anyone else. Golf is that way as well -- it seems like it's more of a niche fame, where the kids who care about golf but aren't as into politics/don't follow the news too much will be more excited about meeting Arnold Palmer than Paul Ryan.

Plus, Condoleezza Rice had all those CNN videos and WaPo headlines to get her face and name out there -- golf victories are almost always in the back with the sports section.

 

Very true. I just thought it was interesting that on a golf course the golfers themselves weren't even the most famous people. I would wager that most of the people at the Masters are golf fans, yet at that particular hole most of the conversations I overheard were about Condi and how nice/pretty/awesome she was.

And BTW...she is REALLY fascinating to watch. She knows just when to end a conversation, how to do it without seeming like she's cutting someone off, and leaving the person feeling like they are the most important thing in the world. I have no doubt she could be president if she really wanted to.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

I like her a lot! I did a report on her back in elementary school, and she's an incredible woman. She's not aggressive, but she is good at the soft skills and getting her message across. That's cool that you got to meet her!

 

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