Then you take into account that JB is a celeb and has experienced all kinds of weirdness with fandom, common sense says the mystery gift was a really bad idea.

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Agreed George.  

Regardless of the intent (which appears genuine and honorable) it is the action or consequences (or possible consequences) that have to be considered.  All that matters is that JB felt his privacy violated.  Case closed.

The argument that Eric was a guest in his house once or that JB's house can be found through an easy search does not open the gates to cross that line.

Of course Eric will have friends here that support him and say there was no harm but that doesn't matter either.  You weren't on the receiving end.

Eric felt guilty and decided to come forward.  JB did not publicly shame him.  He did that all himself.  This is a forum for discussion.  People are allowed to have opinions and ask for the same.

Personally, I don't think it is a big deal if I got that in the mail.  I would be more curious than anything.  It is not as if the company sent a letter using the alphabet cut out from a magazine.

Maybe the company should send a letter in advance that these packages are coming.

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They should.

It would be no less a surprise. I'd be happy if I received three or four bottles of beer a year with a letter saying, "A friend of yours ordered them, we protect your data privacy, etc." I'd be even happier if they named the friend so I could thank them and maybe do something in return.

But anonymously? No thanks.

It's John's Forum and as such, his online space to be free to discuss whatever he chooses. To question his choice to create a thread about this experience strikes me as rude and presumptuous.

John did not out Eric; Eric outed himself. As such, any issues regarding "piling on" or "cruelty" are due to his actions.

If I was in his position, I would have chosen a different route in my effort to make amends. He obviously had John's address; he could have mailed a letter. He could have approached one of the board admins to forward an email on his behalf. 

The moment he attempted to engage with John over their private issue in a public forum is when all of this broke loose. Now the story has turned into a potential Bad Byrne Story - JB was mean to a poor fan who tried to apologize! Film at 11pm.

I know a lot of people who are considered famous. Some are acquaintances; some are friends. A few are very close friends. It is a position of privilege to be invited into that world, behind the veil so to speak. Trust is paramount because unlike the average citizen, celebrities do have privacy and safety issues that they do not.

The issue is not whether an apology was given or its degree of sincerity. The issue is that John's trust was violated. To shuffle past that and focus on Eric's feelings frankly is disrespectful; not because he's "JB," but because those questioning his response or level of annoyance don't appear to get it. 

Should Eric be excoriated mercilessly for his error in judgment? I don't believe so...but before you get to his feelings, you gotta first give JB his due here. I'm pissed off when solicitors ring my doorbell or cold-call me. I can't imagine how angry I would be if someone I invited into my home...someone who, if they received such an invitation should know me better than that, thought that a gag gift such as this would be appreciated.

I think Eric got a little too comfortable with his privileged status as a guest of John's and in his excitement over interacting privately with someone he idolized, confused fandom with friendship. He may have meant no harm. But ultimately harm was done.

So as a fan, supporter, whatever you want to call it of John's...how about stepping back and simply offering him some understanding without questioning his reaction? Because that's what his original post was about. The rest will be worked out between him and Eric in its own time.

Sorry that happened to you, John.

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I appreciate JB for doing that. If it were me I would never EVER do that. I'm filled with anxiety  just thinking about it.