A friend was walking the halls of the Pentagon when Don Rumsfeld, SecDef, came out of a doorway. The two were walking side-by-side. They exchanged greetings.
My friend said that now he can begin all his briefings by saying “When I spoke with Donald Rumsfeld in the Pentagon....”
Most high profile people are ‘regular folks’ except for the Clintons;)
I worked with John Rousakis (who became mayor of Savannah) and a few other colleagues who later turned to politics.
Another favorite in the DC doctors’ office - a gentleman was chatting with the receptionist - who pointed to me and mentioned that I rode the DC Metro. She then said ‘This is Carlton Sickles’ - I had no idea who he was and asked if he was ‘someone important’. He handed me his 35 yr. service pin which I treasure. Known as the ‘father of the Metro’