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?

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."

Personally, I'd ask, "Why?" But I'm confrontational that way.

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.

Um? Wow.

I don't know what the proper response is. I've never been the recipient of such a presumptuous remark. Any time anyone's said they were going to pray for me, it's because I've told them something going on in my life that made it clear I would welcome the prayer.

I ask because that sort of thing happens to me pretty regularly; about once or twice a month. I usually smile and say "Thank you", and walk away as soon as I can. I say "Thank you" because I assume that in their heads, they're doing something GOOD for me, as they can tell I'm a godless sinner by my appearance. I don't want to start an argument with someone who is, by their rules, trying to do a good deed. But it makes me uncomfortable every time it happens.

Wow. This is a lovely response. I don't know that it does them any good. They need a cluesticking, but I don't blame you for not wanting to get into it, because it might be a long session. I suppose you could ask why, but then they might tell you and ugh.

Wow. The only time I've guessed at a person's religion because of his or her fashion choices, it's been because the person was wearing something associated with a religion. I'd feel semi-safe guessing someone wearing a habit was a nun, or that the guy with the hat and curly forelocks was Jewish and possibly Hassidic, or the guy with the funky collar was probably a priest or a minister in a denomination where they wear the funky collars, but even then, approaching a stranger like that? Wow.

Did I say wow, yet?