Let me start by saying that this isn't a rant! Unlike my recent blog posts, this is merely an observation rather than a moan or a complaint (what do you mean, it makes a change?).

Celebrity Tweeters then - as far as I have observed, celebrity tweeters fall into two categories; "Those That Do" and "Those That Don't".

Let me explain: "Those that do" are those celebrities that sometimes interact with their followers, "Those that don't" are those that..er..don't! Interact with their followers, that is.

So in true Harry Hill (British TV Comedian) style, I like "Those That Do" and I like "Those That Don't", but which is better? There's only one way to find out.........

Why do I like "Those That Do"? The answer should be obvious, but there's nothing better than having a reply from one of your favourite celebs to a comment you've made. Either directly to them, or about something random you've twittered. More than likely, it'll be a reply to something you've directed at them (as not many celebs follow lots of people - more later!) either way, it's quite nice when that happens. [A little different, perhaps if the reply is a flaming one, but then you shouldn't be being rude or derogatory on Twitter anyway....right? (It's called manners!)] So "Those That Do" are those celebs that will send you a reply back, interact and generally tweet about general stuff and reasonably frequently. This, of course, includes retweets of either your, or other peoples tweets.

"Those That Don't" then, are the celebs that tweet, however there isn't much (if any) interaction going on between them and the follower population. A reply tweet will go unacknowledged, there will be very little re-tweeting of their follower's tweets and the greater majority of tweets will come from them at variable intervals. The tweets may, or may not contain advertisements for their products-book-latest show etc. Why do I like these? Sometimes it's actually quite informative to see who has got a show out, who has got a book out etc, as I will go and watch the show, or buy the product. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from sending a reply back to say how good their latest thing was .... but don't expect a reply!

Given that the majority of celebs that I follow are either British or American, there doesn't seem to be a pattern either way about who will interact and who won't. Some British celebs do, some don't and it's the same for American celebs too - some will, some won't. It's all about following a celeb, or looking at their Twitter home page and seeing if they do or don't.

But here's the thing. About manners, that is. You wouldn't go up to a friend you know well and tell them something they don't want to hear - specifically in a derogatory tone - would you? (Well, I suppose you would if you didn't want them as a friend anymore!) So don't do it to fellow Tweeters, whether they are celebrities or not is really irrelevant, however celebs in particular. If you're following one of the "Those That Do" then fine, there should be no problem (apart from being polite, of course), but if you start following one of the "Those That Don't" celebs, then realise that they might not interact with you (or anyone) for a particular reason.

Celebs (because they are celebs!) can have hundreds, even thousands of followers at a time (some have in excess of one and a half million followers!) so try and remember that they may have hundreds of @replies sent their way at any time (particularily if one of them asks a question!). Also remember that some of these celebrities may be working on a show-production-book-screenplay and they may not have the time to be constantly monitoring Twitter reading @replies or comments directed at their twitter feed. Some of them, of course, may not like interacting with people they don't know and will only reply or interact with people they do know and are following on Twitter.

Of course, it's going to be the same situation for "Those That Do"; although they may have replied to e-tweeted you in the past, they may be busy (or very popular) and may not have the time to reply to your tweet. I've found that most of the "Those That Do" will generally do a blanket tweet (i.e. "Thank you for all the good luck wishes") to acknowledge their followers @replies .... although not all the time, it has to be said!!

None of this should stop you following or @replying to a celeb however. Whether they are a "Those That Do" or a "Those That Don't", you should treat all of them with the respect that you would grant yourself, should the situation be reversed. Also remember that you don't actually know these people and vice-versa, they don't know you either! Twitter is like a bunch of strangers that meet briefly in a darkened room: no-one knows what you look like and who you are and to some extent it's the same for celebrities. So please grant them at least a little bit of courtesy and patience; and if they don't @reply to your latest and greatest wittiest tweet ever, accept it and move on! :-)

Personally, I follow both the "Those That Do" and the "Those That Don't". I've also been known to unfollow some (major) celebrities on Twitter, because, well they weren't quite my cup of tea. You may like what they do on screen or what they write, but that doesn't mean to say you'd like them in real-life! Yes, it's a disappointment when someone you like a lot on TV (for example) turns out to be a bit boring in real-life, but then you have the choice. It's your personal preference whom you follow on Twitter and whom you don't. So unfollow them, but please have the good grace not to send them a flaming tweet just before you do! It's not their fault you don't like them!!

Finally, remember that celebrities are people too and as such they have the same right on Twitter to follow whomsoever they please. If they don't follow you, then that's their choice! If they are one of "Those That Do" then there's a good chance that they might be reading your tweets, responding and eventually may follow you; however it is generally considered to be bad manners to ask! If, however, you're following one of the "Those That Don't" camp, then unless you know the celeb in person, it's highly unlikely they will follow you - even if you do have the bad grace to ask. Move on!