As lessons go, it was a harsh one to learn, but Lewis Hamilton is now hopefully older and wiser after the event.
Initially, it appeared a 'cool' thing to do - being strapped into a harness and flying several feet above a stage.
Sadly for Hamilton, as embarrassing photographs have since proven, the 23-year-old appeared anything but cool.
It is one of those moments you can file under the 'what the hell did I do that for?' category, and simply consign it to memory.
As theatrical debuts go, Hamilton bombed.
But then he was hardly dressed for the part, playing the role of Greek God Apollo in a historical reworking of the battle of Troy.
The problem was that while the actors below him fought with gusto in traditional costume, Hamilton 'flew' in wearing his fireproof McLaren overalls, complete with sponsors logos.
The primary one, of course, is Vodafone, who are reputedly forking out Ј300million over five years in support of Ron Dennis' team.
They could argue for that kind of money they are entitled to use Hamilton and team-mate Heikki Kovalainen for whatever purpose to ensure maximum exposure of their brand.
Vodafone certainly made the headlines last week with a wide-eyed Hamilton waving to a somewhat incredulous crowd.
But Hamilton looked as out of place as a green, three-eyed alien that had just landed from Mars in the middle of Hyde Park.
If the young Briton had been dressed in the appropriate garb and maybe brandishing a sword with the word Vodafone written along the blade, that would at least have been a little more in keeping.
In the immediate aftermath, and sensing the reaction to his aerial 'performance' was mixed, he initially enquired as to whether he appeared "a bit weird?"
It is fair to say Hamilton seemed slightly hurt when the reply was 'yes'.
The day after the display before, and with his embarrassment on show for the entire world to see as pictures adorned the papers, Hamilton's demeanour changed markedly.
Vodafone certainly cannot dispute the fact they enjoyed publicity above and beyond what might reasonably have been expected from the event.
Hamilton, though, recognised his stunt was 'the pits' as he later said: "I just turned up and got on with what I was told to do.
"But now I've seen the footage and it's one of the worst things I've ever seen.
"At the end of the day, I have a cool image and things like that don't help. That really was not cool."
Oh dear! A major PR own goal if ever there was one.
It perhaps brings into focus the need for Hamilton to have a respected public relations figure fighting his corner.
After all, coming just three days ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix, it was hardly the ideal way for Hamilton to spend his time.
Can you imagine the like of Tiger Woods engaging in such a toe-curling exercise just before the start of one of golf's majors?
In life, though, everybody is prone to the odd error, and Hamilton is surely savvy enough now not to fall for the same mistake twice.
Hopefully, despite the millions of pounds ploughed into McLaren by Vodafone, he will also have the courage to stand up to them and say the next time he feels something is not right.
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It would be fair to assume that as a Formula One driver you would expect the odd perk during your career - but how about your own loo?
Well, that is exactly the privilege Ralf Schumacher enjoyed during his three years with Toyota, on top of his reported Ј15million per year salary.
Upon joining the Japanese manufacturing giants, the 32-year-old German was shown the various facilities on offer in the paddock hospitality units that are used for European grands prix.
When it came to the lavatory, Schumacher came across all diva-like and asked for the key to ensure he, and only he alone, could make use of it.
For Schumacher, who never won a race for Toyota prior to his exit at the end of last season, he at least guaranteed he would be number one in taking a number one!
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