It's hard to stay professional when a celeb graces your office with their presence. Do you really have to act as co-worker even when you're a big fan? Here's the truth.

Bumping into a celebrity on the street, at a gig or at a meet & greet is very exciting. You are granted the opportunity to be yourself and freak out while asking for selfies and autographs.

Working in an industry where you are regularly in the midst of a famous person's presence can be just as exciting except that freaking out could be deemed unprofessional. Sometimes, your colleague is related to or best friends with someone that's well-known - are you still required to keep your cool and maintain a professional demeanour among your co-workers? Surely not, as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... right?

Well, you could be wrong. When someone from the newspapers, magazines, and TV steps into your place of work, you have to keep your head. Here's how:

You should:

Please remain calm.

Firstly, they're well aware that they're well-known and it is therefore not necessary for you to remind them, especially not in a high frequency voice. Secondly, they are not as excited as you so if you choose to jump and shout (please don't) you will be doing it alone. Not only will you look silly jumping alone but you'll make everyone around you uncomfortable.

How would you treat your co-worker's spouse if they walked through the door? Pretend that you're in the same situation.

Observe their body language

Their mannerism will tell you everything you need to know. Are they friendly and smiling or disgruntled and moody? As you would with anyone else, respect their personal space. Do keep in mind that celebrities often need to fake being nice to satisfy their fans. Do not force them into that position. They should be comfortable, willing to come back next time, and recommend your company to their celeb pals.

If you ignore their non-verbal cues, you could ruin your company's reputation.

Think before you speak.

Most of the things you are going to want to say instinctively, they've probably heard a million times before: "I'm a huge fan. I love your music. You look so much prettier in real life." Avoid making any judgements and comparisons. If your co-worker or boss requested that no one asks for photographs, you have to oblige.

You should not:

Stare

Be polite. Continue with your work as per normal, whether you're in a newsroom or on location. Do you remember how uncomfortable it makes a co-worker or your manager stares at you while you try to do your work? It's quite nerve-wrecking. That same annoyance and self-consciousness is felt by the famous person.

Remember, famous personalities are normal people and not museum displays. 

Get off topic

If you happen to find yourself in the middle of a conversation with a celebrity stick to the pleasantries. Unless you're a journalist, do not ask about their upcoming movies or albums, rather stick to the business at hand. And if you are a journalist, avoid talking about their personal life or tabloid-magnet gossip. You should also never ask them about their famous friends unless you've built a comfortable relationship with them, which if you're reading this article, is probably not the case.

Take any photos

The polite thing to do, is first ask. Now, they will feel obliged to say yes for fear of being labelled rude and aloof. The best time to ask for a selfie or an autograph would be outside the office, away from the floor of co-workers and after his or her business at your workplace is completed.

Remember:

The person who you are at work is not the person you are outside of work. When you are with your colleagues you assume a different persona than when you're with close friends and family. And you should. Especially if you're planning on landing a few promotions in your career.

As a representative of your company, you should always remain professional. When that famous person leaves, it won't be Danny was annoying. Rather, it'll be that company's employees are annoying.