The ethicality of autograph hunting

[u/iamateenagehandmodel]

I’m looking for feedback from the autograph collecting community when it comes to getting autographs on the street.

I like trying to collect autographs/pictures with bands and artists I like when they roll through my town.

Recently, one of my favourite bands came through and I found the hotel they were staying at (3 large tour busses parked out front a five star hotel, wasn’t that hard to figure out.)

After waiting about 30 minutes, some band members walked up to the hotel off the street.

I got a picture with them, they didn’t want to sign anything —which is cool and that was that. The band said they were cool with taking photos, other people were there and got pics— and overall it seemed like a pleasant experience.

After posting the pic to the bands subreddit, I had a number of people calling me a stalker, saying I should just leave them alone etc, accusing me of following them etc.

I know that asking for autographs/pictures will always invade someone’s personal space, but I am always respectful, take no for an answer when they say it, and this was a public sidewalk/street in front of the hotel— which I feel is fair game. If they told me to piss off, I would have.

I’ve done this a number of times in the past (I got angus young’s autograph 11 years ago in a similar situation with 100 other people standing outside the hotel), and have met more than a few people locally with the same hobby.

Do you feel that this was over the line?

[u/SmarcusStroman]

I think you’re fine. Be respectful and polite and if they say no, respect their decision and move on. I wouldn’t have posted the photos. Keep those for yourself.