Now I feel embarrassed, something so simple, and I usually have gone off on a tirade when someone has had a snide remark. I'm putting that in my toolset of replies. Thanks Rick

That reminds me of the Ann Landers(I think) response to intrusive questions: "Why do you ask?"

This will work with "normal" people. It won't work with the rising percentage of folks who've lost grip on reality, because they will have an answer for you, not based in reality. For those folks, I just nod my head and walk away. I have a brother-in-law who just says, "Well how about that!" and moves on.

It also won't work with Evil people, because they don't care and will give you an earful. Sorry to be the cynic...

No, and it won't work with people who are psychotic or have any kind of sociopathic tendencies. There are a small percentage of people that lack empathy, and this is definitely not something that'll work on them. But it works with most people. In centuries past, these types of people would've been weeded out by society, but we short-circuited that a while back.