Most people have heard of the ‘baker’s dozen’, named after the number of songs recorded by the Beatles in their early years. The dozen represents the most popular and successful songs of the band, and since then, the list has grown to include the songs of many other bands.
Similarly, many have heard of the ‘barber’s dozen’, named after the twelve Most Hated Men in Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. The dozen represents the most famous (and infamous) cases featured in the Sherlock Holmes detective series. As with the baker’s dozen, the barber’s dozen grew organically from a humble beginning to eventually include the most popular and influential cases from the original list.
While it’s fun to learn about the history of the Beatles and Sherlock Holmes, what is important to understand is that these are numbers and not necessarily a strict sequence of events or people. It could be argued that the story of the Beatles’ rise to fame is directly linked to that of Sherlock Holmes, but it’s also possible to think of other songs that could have been included in either list.
Know What To Look Out For
It’s not necessarily a bad thing to have your heart set on a certain celebrity; on the contrary, many people find comfort in knowing that a member of the ‘famous’ club goes to their town or city every now and then. The key is in keeping your eye open and being mindful of what is happening around you. You can use many different tactics to spot a famous tourist. Maybe they will be staying at a prominent hotel, taking up a lot of space in the lobby. Maybe they will be holding court in the hotel bar, or attracting a crowd by being the centre of attention at a restaurant. If you are in the right place at the right time, you can catch a glimpse of a famous face or two.
Keep Your Eyes Open
If you are not already doing so, it is essential that you keep your eyes open for any sightings of your favourite celebrities. This can be done in a number of ways, from checking out celebrity blogs, to following social media accounts, to listening to gossip. Keeping your eyes open for celebrities is important for another reason as well, it can bring opportunities that you may not have expected. During one of Sherlock Holmes’ cases, he is visited by a former client who happens to be a famous author. He invites Holmes to a house party, where the author’s friends and family converge, including the Duchess of Kent and the Prince of Wales. Holmes is asked to solve a riddle that the guests have been set by the host, and despite initial reluctance, he eventually agrees. The author’s friends and family are amazed by Holmes’ answer, which comes in the form of a poem.
Avoid The Crowds
Avoid going to places where there are large groups of people, especially if you are looking for a specific celebrity. It is usually best to search for a venue that is not as well known, so that you are less likely to be noticed and in a place where you will not be recognized if you do spot a celebrity. If you absolutely have to be in a large crowd, ensure that there are people around you who are also looking for a specific celebrity. This will also make it less likely that you will be singled out as a ‘fan’ and targeted by the famous celebrity in question. If you want to sightsee and be social, choose a famous city where you will have the opportunity to meet other fans. Going to a popular tourist destination is usually a good idea, as long as you are not looking for a specific celebrity. If you are going to London, make sure that you check out the locations that the famous icons in the stories have been in or are currently based in. You will have the opportunity to meet real life counterparts of your favourite literary characters. Visiting the places where these literary characters lived, even if it is in a book, can also be an enriching experience. It also allows you to learn more about the history of the city, as well as the culture that the icons represent.
Learn About The Place
Every city is different, and it is essential that you learn about the place you are visiting. This is not only because you may not know much about the city and its attractions, but it can also be dangerous. If you are not aware of what kind of place you are visiting, you might not spot the signs of danger (such as crime or aggressive panhandling) and make the right decisions to protect yourself. Instead, you could find yourself in a situation that you weren’t prepared for, especially if you are in a big city that you don’t know much about.
Use Your Common Sense
It is important to use your common sense and be observant of everything happening around you. If something seems off, don’t necessarily assume that it is not OK. There are usually many reasons why something might not seem right, and it is often better to avoid potential hazards rather than to expose yourself to risk. It is also important to be realistic about what you can expect. Even places that are supposedly ‘touristy’ can be dangerous, especially if you go there alone or in a group that is unfamiliar with the area. If you want to be in a place where you can meet famous people, you may have to accept that there is a chance that you could become one of the famous people yourself. Learning to cope with this sort of situation is a part of life that most people have to get used to.
Have A Plan
If you are in a place that you think is safe, but you are not entirely sure, it is important to have a plan. Having a plan can sometimes mean the difference between life and death, especially when you are in a situation that you did not expect and that you are not equipped to handle. If you are in a place that you think is safe, but you are not entirely sure, have a plan to exit the city if necessary. Having a plan can sometimes mean the difference between life and death, especially when you are in a situation that you did not expect and that you are not equipped to handle. If you are in a place that you think is safe, but you are not entirely sure, have a plan to exit the city if necessary. This may mean asking for directions or taking a cab home, but it should not be taken lightly and should be done as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute to make a plan can sometimes mean that you have to choose between death and isolation. If you want to be in a place where you can meet famous people, you may have to accept that there is a chance that you could become one of the famous people yourself. Learning to cope with this sort of situation is a part of life that most people have to get used to.
Being a fan of Sherlock Holmes is great, but staying a fan of Sherlock Holmes is better. The key is in keeping your eye open for any sightings of your favourite literary characters and being mindful of what is happening around you. By following these tips, you can guarantee that you will be in a place that is safe and make the most of your adventure. Keep up with these tips, and before you know it, you will be in another one of Sherlock Holmes’ adventures and in the company of yet another famous character.