Honestly I don't get it either, but my experiences were so great! And to me he looks just like his pics. Note that the OP on this thread, a knight, agrees with me.
This has been exactly my experience, where advancing-- even when I don't expect to see it again-- leads to a feeling of weirdness and ultimately resentment on their side. Avoid.
I saw him (again) about 10 days ago, and had the best time. I agree with the OP-- "exquisite."
He comes through my city only a few times per year, and I hope to catch him each time!