Alright, so I'm gonna be the grump here. Maybe it's from the years of looking the way I do. (I'm not complaining about that, as it was my choice and I have no regret for it.) But, I think I've become "hyper-sensetive" to people's reactions. What I mean is: was this lady's reaction REALLY necessary? Was she SERIOUS?? I don't know... sometimes when people react so strongly I find myself rolling my eyes. It's almost like the want to take all the attention from "you" and have it directe to them. "Drama Queen" anyone?

Example:
A couple of years ago I was sitting outside a mall with a buddy (pre-kilt) while he smoked a cigarrette. We were sitting on a bench when two, rather large, ladies passed us. I could see (or maybe spidey sense) a reaction coming. The one literally spins on her heels and yells (yes... yells) "OH MY GOD WHITEY WHAT THE HELL IS IN YOUR EARRRR!!!!!" "DA$# G@# D@*&!!!!!!" She carried on like this for what fealt like eternity. In reality, it was probably less than 15 seconds. None-the-less: RIDICULOUS. I just scoffed and walked away without a word.

Maybe not the same as your encounter, but it reminded me so much of it.