So let’s say, you’re hanging out at your favorite mall food court when in walks your favorite celebrity.
(For the sake of example, I’ll use the name “Tom.”)
You walk up to them, look surprised and then really joyous and say, “Tom! What’s up, man!”
[give him the Cool Brutha Handshake. No, not really.]
“Whatcho been up to?”
*the celebrity will respond joyously and pleasantly as he racks his brain, trying to figure out who you are. Inevitably, he’ll respond quickly, “Nothing much, how are you?”
“Nothing much.You know, same ol, same ol’. I haven’t seen you since that party up in the hills last year. You look GREAT! You still working out a lot?”
[small talk, small talk bullshit]
“Alright, listen, I’ve gotta run but it was great seeing you. Tell Mary Ann I said hi!”
***************
The key is to act like they should totally know you, like you’re an old friend and he’s the asshole for not remembering your name. If you pull off the confident, friendly, I’m so excited to run into you thing, you’ll see their face light up like they’re really happy to see you too, even though in their eyes, you can see they’re totally confused cuz they don’t know who the hell you are. And it’s also important for you to be the one who’s “gotta run,” cutting the conversation short. No more than a few minutes and a few pleasantries.
It’s kind of funny.