The rules around spotting a celebrity in LA: What not to do

Klaus Ritter is the director of sales and marketing for StarLine Tours, which has been running Hollywood tours since 1935, and now runs 16 tours a day. See starlinetours.com discoverlosangeles.com

STEP ONE

One of the best times of year for celebrity spotting is during LA's winter season (December-April), as it is the peak time for film productions in LA, and celebrities are out and about.

STEP TWO

You're almost guaranteed a celebrity sighting at the Barneys New York boutique on Wilshire Boulevard, while outdoor restaurants such as The Ivy are also well known as celeb haunts during brunch. Restoration Hardware on Melrose is good for those on their day-to-day routines, and on sunny days, you'll often spot celebrities in their open-top convertibles.

STEP THREE

Keep in mind all the regular common courtesies: no touching unless they initiate it and don't interrupt if they are in a conversation. It's important to respect a person's privacy, you don't know what headspace they may be in at the moment, so no running up or surprises. If you get the chance to speak with a celebrity, avoid mentioning the latest scandal or something you've just read in a magazine. After all, celebrities are people so should be treated with courtesy and respect. The regular laws apply: for example, you can't trespass on a celebrity's private property, no matter how much you want the perfect shot.

STEP FOUR

My top tip is to know your stuff before approaching any celebrity. You don't want to get in a conversation and mix up the names of movies they may have starred in. Celebrities really appreciate when you know your facts, and simple things, such as knowing how to pronounce names correctly. It's also a good idea not to insult them by mentioning that they may look different to their last picture or film appearance. And while selfies have taken over as the top souvenir, signatures aren't passe!

STEP FIVE

The star dedication ceremonies on the Hollywood Walk of Fame occur once a month and are free and open to the public, so you are always guaranteed a view of the celebrity. And often they will have their famous friends with them, so you see several at the same time. For example, I saw singer Michael Buble who had his wife, Priscilla Presley, and musician-producer David Foster along.