What is the proper response when a complete stranger comes up to you and says, in a very earnest and friendly tone, "I'm going to pray for you." Completely out of the blue, never had any interaction with the person before.
I suppose I'd ask them to specifically pray that I get 20/20 vision. Or maybe I'd offer to pray them as well, but in my own way. IRL, when that's happened I usually just say, "Um, thanks," and walk away.

And some slash to read on the plane. And Tony Leung Chiu Wai starring in our in-flight movie.

Oooh, good plan. We should start a collection in our Livejournals for people to give us money so we can get first-class tickets. You don't want to plan the revolution while you're jet-lagged, after all.

Just seeing the level of detail on the costumes and props is astounding.

Isn't it awesome? All of the pretty swords and armor everywhere.

We went to the Butterfly Hall after and that was very cool, too.

Oh, yeah, that's a great exhibit. My father-in-law is an entomologist, and he approves of it.

Airport security opened up my Shards of Narsil souvenir and made me mail back the shards because they were sharp (not heeding our claim that they were useless before they were reforged), which added to our "will we make it to the plane before it takes off?" suspense, but we did, so no harm.

Goodness. I wonder how many times they've found the Shards of Narsil in someone's suitcase.

What is the proper response when a complete stranger comes up to you and says, in a very earnest and friendly tone, "I'm going to pray for you." Completely out of the blue, never had any interaction with the person before.

A bulk order of "Goths aren't devil worshipers, genius." cards to hand out to them?

Yeah, I think "Thank you" and walking away is the best you can do. Due to your being the polite person in the scenario.

perhaps your client's daughter is due for a wake-up call about Mumsy Dearest?

I could go for cluesticking them both though.

If I was itching for a fight, I'd say "Why?" So if they explained I could rip into them for making assumptions and being uncharitable and stuff like that. Otherwise, I would probably just do exactly what you already do, Jilli.

Maybe I shouldn't bring my dagger collection with me to Sydney, then. I wonder how airport security would deal with my defense of, "But I'd never use them for violence, they're too pretty and it'd get them all scuffed and dirty!"

What is the proper response when a complete stranger comes up to you and says, in a very earnest and friendly tone, "I'm going to pray for you."

The sassy in me wants to get into a discussion with them by asking, "For what purpose, specifically?" In reality, I'd probably leave it at, "OK. Thanks." (Ever so magnanimously ignoring the fact that they, presumably, are judging you and making decisions about the state of your soul based on your appearance). Assuming that they have the best of intentions, even if they are speaking, ever so muffled-ly, out of their ass.

What is the proper response when a complete stranger comes up to you and says, in a very earnest and friendly tone, "I'm going to pray for you." Completely out of the blue, never had any interaction with the person before.

How about a courteous "May the triple goddess clasp you to her breasts"?

You can check bladed weapons with no problems, as far as I know. Why did you have to mail, -t? Is this TSA confusingness?