Strange Rudeness

So let me set the scene for you. I had a bunch of errands to run today and one of them was a quick stop at Hobby Lobby to get some flag paper for Katie's Veteran's Day poster. I get what I need and go stand in the line of six people at the only open register. *sigh*

As I'm standing there, the lady behind me strikes up a conversation. Not an unusual occurrence and I am not bothered by talking to strangers in the store as we all wait in line to buy our things. This conversation took the strangest turn...

Her, small thin, older lady with gray hair going white. "That's pretty paper. 4th of July scrapbook page?"

Me: "Oh, no, I'm helping my daughter make a poster of family and friends that are veterans."

Her: "That's nice. How old is your daughter?"

Me: "Almost nine. Her birthday is this Friday."

Her: "Oh that's nice. Is she your only child?"

Ok, now don't get me wrong, so far this is all innocuous and I have nothing to hide and I'm very proud of my children, and I like to humor old people, because frankly I hope young people will humor me when I'm old.

Me: "No, I have another daughter, she just turned twelve."

At this, the woman's eyes narrowed a bit, and she took in my brown peasant top, ripped jeans, battered converse all stars, tie-dye hair band (the only one I could find, thank you very much) and her eyes stopped on my bare left hand. At this point I got a bit uncomfortable. I have always worried in the back of my mind that people, complete strangers, judge me based on my age and the age of my children and my lack of wedding ring. I don't wear one, because I lost it and haven't gotten around to replacing the thing yet.

Her: "Honey, how old are you?"

All I could do was blink. She looked like a sweet grandma. And to my own astonishment I freaking answered her. "Thirty-one." Not a number I'm ashamed of in the least, I'm quite proud to be 31 and enjoy my life and the gifts I have been given.

That seemed to offend her sensibilities when she did the math in her head. She put her hand on my arm, looked me in my baffled eyes and said, I kid you not, "You need to get married and settle down honey. But then I don't know a man in his right mind that would take such a wayward girl with half grown children."

I'm sorry, what? Wait, did she just say that to me? Really? I stood there dumbfounded. There wasn't anyone in line behind her and the woman in front of me, I think, pretended not to hear, and I was saved from saying something horrible to this nice looking old lady by another cashier walking up and calling her from the line. I paid for my four sheets of scrapbook paper, and went to sit in my car. Mostly I was and am just offended. It's none of her business if I'm married or not. Or how old I was when I chose to bring life into this world.

Honestly, did she think she was doing me a service by voicing her backward opinion? I don't really want to know. Though I think I will make time to go get a new wedding band this weekend.