Worst question a celebrity can ask: 'Do you know my name?'

What was Reese Witherspoon thinking when she put that condescending query to an Atlanta cop during a DUI stop involving her husband, the agent James Toth? She was arrested for disorderly conduct and has since apologized. PR-wise, this doesn't look great. Witherspoon is not a kid (she has three of her own), and her career isn't exactly in full throttle. Besides, isn't the "Do you know who I am?" bit is getting stale? From Bloomberg:

Frank Laino, head concierge at the Stafford Hotel, London: "We have a joke around here: If someone asks, 'Do you know who I am?' The answer is, 'Why, have you forgotten?' Obviously, we can't say that. I think normally when you've gotten to that point that someone is asking the question, it's gone beyond the point that it's going to help. Sometimes, the reception staff get it for a room upgrade. As a professional, I think in that situation you have to be polite and courteous. If the person is a real VVIP and it was something that could really damage your business, you would be unprofessional if you didn't acknowledge it, perhaps. But it all depends on the context. If they're being unreasonable or insulting, it doesn't matter who that is. You'll acknowledge them and say how it's not going to help."

Jess Levine, Maitre d' at the Lion, New York: "It's rare that I hear it--but when it is said, it is most often followed by, 'I know the owner.' Claiming to know the owner is much more popular at the Lion. I usually get a little cheeky and reply, 'So do I.' I then say, 'But please give me just a moment, let me see what I can do.' This is the hospitality business and I do try to accommodate everyone as best I can. In the end it is always best to give the people what they want, even if they are acting unreasonably. Being at the door, a maitre d' sets the tone for the entire evening, so we do our best to make their first impression a positive one. If a guest has a bad experience at the door, that negative energy may linger throughout their dinner. We never want that negativity to result in a call to the owner or a bad review online. Either way, the owners will find out."