Anonimity is Not the Key to Unleashing Pent Up Angst

You know those moments when a random person unexpectedly decideds to speak to you, and you become so caught off guard by their comment that the only way you can manage to respond is by babbling on about something completely irrelevant to the topic at hand?

i.e.

Random Stranger: "It looks like it is going to rain!"
Me: "Yeah, I made chai tea this morning! Have a nice day!"

Then, for the rest of the day, while carrying on with school, responsibilities, work, and friends, you replay the conversation every 5 seconds in your head, and come up with at least 5,000 alternative responses...

Me: "Yeah, it does. Good thing I have an umbrella in my car!"

Me: "Sure does!"

Me: "Yeah. Have a nice day!"


The other day ago, while lifeguarding, a random stranger decided to come out and be blatant with one of my habits that obviously annoyed him:

Stranger: "Stop biting your nails."
Me: "Hahahaha, yeah I've been biting my nails forever. Longer, actually, than I have been playing the piano. It's just a bad habit. But if I keep my nails short, I can play the piano better!"
Stranger: *blink* *blink*


So, what I am trying to say is, in situations where you are called on to respond to what is supposed to be considered the pleasantry of small talk, instead of an actual response, the middle finger will usually suffice.