This week Fandango’s question is about fame.

They say that everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame in life, but what if you were one of the few who became famous for a little — or a lot — longer? People think that being famous would be great, but would it really be great, or could it be rife with problems? With fame comes riches, and perhaps never having to worry about paying your bills anymore. But would any amount of money make it worthwhile to sacrifice your privacy, put up with paparazzi, and wonder if people wanted to be with you because of who you are versus how rich and famous you are?

https://fivedotoh.com/2022/11/30/fandangos-provocative-question-192/

So this week’s provocative question is this:

If you could, would you want to be famous if it meant sacrificing your personal life and privacy? Why or why not?

The short answer is no, thank you very much. I don’t think that being famous would be great. I think that being rich would be great. Not having to worry about bills and rising prices. Being able to treat yourself and your loved ones to nice things. But no, it’s not worth it if the price is sacrificing your privacy and peace of mind.

I’m not a very social person, quite the introvert at times. I enjoy being around people I’m comfortable with and even chatting to strangers as I do every Thursday when I volunteer at the Visitor Centre. That’s different because it is my choice to do that.

I have had my fifteen minutes of fame. David and I got married on television! That came about because we got married at the Adelaide Railway Station. As those of you who are familiar with this blog know we love trains. I met David on a steam train trip, we got engaged on one and naturally we wanted to have a steam train as part of our wedding. Themed weddings were probably a bit less common then, it was 1977. The organisers of the steam trip that our wedding became part of asked if it would be OK to inform the media. David and I were both very shy youngsters but we wanted the organisation to get some good publicity if it would help them sell tickets on future trips. So we said yes. We were in the local paper and we had I think three of the four local stations filming us on the day. It didn’t bother me too much. I was too busy getting married to pay much attention to them. However, that’s the only time I’ve ever willingly allowed myself to be in the spotlight.

What I wouldn’t like is having my every move scrutinised. I wouldn’t like people commenting on how I look, taking anything I said out of context or bothering me when I’m out. People can be so nasty on social media. I especially wouldn’t like people wanting to hang out with me all the time . It would be hard to know if they genuinely liked me or just liked being seen with me. In either case I need my space. I don’t want people around me all the time. I don’t even like to share a table with a stranger at a food court. I will do that because it would be rude not to if there are no other seats but I don’t like it.

I think that people who choose or maybe are born into a public life, TV and movie stars, sports celebrities, politicians and royals probably accept that they have a public persona and they will never have the privacy that the rest of us take for granted. For some of them being recognised is their bread and butter. They probably don’t always like it. Those that make themselves accessible to their fans in moderation but maintain a private life probably have an easier time. The ones who seem to deliberately court publicity and are desperate to be seen can’t then complain and say they hate it and just want a quiet life when plainly that’s exactly what they don’t want.