Let’s say you’re out running errands, grabbing lunch, or making your way through the airport, and you come face-to-face with your favorite celebrity. What are the rules to approaching a celeb the ‘right’ way? I asked 11 celebs who get noticed all the time what the best way for a fan to approach them is, and they told me honestly. Check out their answers:

Say hi! I’m very approachable! I’m an open person, and we just ran into some fans outside before we got here, and they were shocked that we were sweet. They said, “You girls are so sweet!” and I’m thinking, “Yes, we hope so!” But I mean, I understand how people might be tempted not to approach you just because they’re unsure, but just let them know that for the most part we’re very friendly, and I enjoy it! I appreciate the people watching our show and I thank our fans, especially the ones that tweet me and have been so supportive of what I’ve gone through. That’s my way of saying thank you, is to respect and honor them, and I’m just a kind-hearted person I think anyway! [laughs]

SCOTT SPEEDMAN

[Ed. note: Aside from screaming, ‘Ben Covington!! Marry Me!’, of course] [laughs] Of course! Oh, just come up and say hi if they want to say hi! It’s fine! Just say hi!

ESPERANZA SPALDING

“They don’t know me! Because when I put my hair up, no one recognizes me. I’m not lying! I ride the subway in New York. I go everywhere and do everything on my own in the city, and when I put my hair up and in a hat, no one recognizes me. But if a fan sees me, the best advice is to come up without the intent of stealing energy. You can always feel the difference, like when someone comes up and is freaking out and is like, ‘I want something from you!’ I shut down. So think of something to offer. You could say something like, ‘Hello,’ and say a poem or a nice quote, or just a nice smile. Just have something to offer. That’s always welcome. When I get all starstruck, I just want to try and give [something back to the person.]”

PAUL ADELSTEIN

“With money.” [laughs]

JENNIFER BEALS

“Well, truthfully, it’s very difficult for me because I’m very shy. If I get, ‘I’m a fan of your work,’ and then they walk away without wanting something, that’s totally fine. Someone that is sincere and doesn’t ask anything of me; especially when you look like dreck. [laughs] I appreciate that.”

CARSON KRESSLEY

“They should say, ‘Oh my god, you look really hot today!’ That will get my attention and then I’ll know they are lying, too. But I’m very accessible, especially if you’re a hot guy. Then I’m even more accessible.”

MAX GREENFIELD

“I don’t know. Just do it honestly. If they come up to you and say they love the show, that’s really nice. I like everyone. The crazies are fun too! [Mimics a drunk ‘Hey Schmidt!’] It means people are liking the show, and it’s a really nice feeling. I will take all the love that they want to give us.”

MATTHEW LILLARD

“Wave from afar. [laughs] If I’m a Papa Bear and with my kids [he has three of them], then don’t. But if not, come up to me.”

“I think that it’s really nice when people are respectful and they’re like, ‘Hi! I’m Amber. I saw your film, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.’ Just be nice. I’ve been at a restaurant a few times where people will see me and make this huge scene and go, ‘Ahhh!’ and it’s so mortifying, you just want to crawl into a turtle shell and roll down a hill. That’s embarrassing. But other than that, people are generally really gracious.”

ALLISON JANNEY

“Make sure I’m not in the middle of a dinner. If I’m sitting down at a dinner, it’s usually nice to wait until I get up to go to the bathroom. If she’s a female fan, she can go to the bathroom too! And then say something through the stalls!” [laughs]

ADAM RODRIGUEZ

“Just come up and say hi. I mean, I think you do have to assess the moment in case I’m in the middle of an argument or a passionate moment [laughs], then give me a second. Or if my mouth is full of food, but no matter what, come say hi. I mean, that’s what we do, and I want to know that people are responding to it and appreciate it! Never be shy, come say hi. Hey, that rhymes!”

I want to hear about your best or worst celeb encounter! What happened? I’ve had some great ones (after all, it’s my job!), but I’ve also had one or two that just left me feeling so yucky.

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