Paradoxical Observation: Willie and the boys

When I got off the airplane in Amsterdam, I was walking through the luggage pickup and saw who I thought was Willie Nelson. I did a double take and turned around and walked by where he was standing, and sure enough, it was Willie. I thought to say something or shake his hand, but then I thought about how many people do that to him all the time and how stupid I'd look trying to talk to him. I bet he'd be gracious, but who needs that after a 12 hour flight or whatever it was.
Later I was checking into hotel in Amsterdam and there was this guy who was very irate about his checkin because it was taking longer than it should have. He was being really rude and demanded to see the front deck manager etc. I thought I recognized him for some reason, but just figured he had a bunch of kids from a class or something and was trying to hurry the process. Whenever I see that kind of thing, it makes me want to be extra nice. Sometimes americans really do come off as ugly. Sadly, this was one of those times I thought that it was pretty embarassing. Not that I'm an american, but that someone who is an american acted that way.
Anyway, as I was walking out, Willie Nelson walked by. He was checking in at the same time. I had the same thought. Should I say hello. I was a fan of his when I was a kid and teenager. "Poncho and Lefty", "You were always on my mind" and some others. I know it's a cliche, but he was shorter than I thought he'd be. Came up to my chest, maybe. Again, I did the "Should I try to shake his hand and say thanks for the tunes or something stupid like that?" thought. Again, I decided against it.
As I was waiting for my car to come out of the parking lot. (Mandatory valet parking here.) I was standing in the lobby where a bunch of Willie's people were waiting. Willie' guitar bag was sitting there next to the door and for a moment I had a thought of sitting down and plunking on the guitar. Wonder what they'd say about that! :) The guys there reminded me of people I've known in the past. Foul mouths, short tempers and spoke as though they hadn't made it through the 5th grade. I was disappointed but not surprised.
Tonight, as I came home, the front desk manager was outside sitting on the bench. I've still been trying to be extra nice after that first day when that jerk was being such a dork just to show that not all americans are like that. He seemed pretty tired and so I said, "Looks like you had a rough day." He said he had and so I asked him, well couldn't have been as bad as the guy on Monday. He said, "Oh, Willie's manager? Yes, that was a tough day." I said, "That was Willie's manager? Really?" He answered that it was.
Now I'm glad I didn't shake Willies hand. :)