What is the appropriate response to when someone says you look like a certain famous person or someone they know?

7 comments

1. How come you want to move from that subject quickly?

2. Some street preacher yelled “Barbara Streisand!” at me years ago as I walked by him. I immediately grabbed my nose.

3. It depends.

   If it’s someone that, well, is aware of who I am in relation to their life, I don’t deny it. (I have fame/notoriety in some circles.)

   If it’s someone that they’re mistaking me for, which isn’t uncommon since my skin has a shade and my face has an architecture that somehow has folks thinking every flavour of American Indigenous, MENA, and large swaths of Asia, I tell them that it isn’t me.

4. Joke about being their long lost sibling that ran away to live another life 🤷🏿‍♂️

5. If it’s someone they know and not someone famous, I say “poor guy”

6. Sometimes it’s just an observation, not really intended to have a social effect beyond sharing a thought. Sort of like talking about the weather.

   Sometimes if it’s a celebrity they probably hope you take it as a compliment. Most celebrities are at least somewhat good looking.

7. It’s a conversational icebreaker and a compliment or an insult based on your perceived attractiveness of that famous person against your own.

   Your reaction, whatever it may be, is appropriate. You’re entitled to respond how you like.

   For me personally it’s sad that this offends you, as you’re robbing yourself of a human connection, but you’re entitled to respond how you like.