Thanks wisewoman. I love your idea about perceiving you as eccentric cousins. As a matter of fact, I often say: "since I am over 40 now, I am officially able to be considered "eccentric"."

It's amazing how just one small word can completely change someone's perception of who/what you are, right wisewoman ?

Actually, now that I think about it, your suggestion just might work...shift my perception before it becomes set...of course!
That would be better and more constructive than just wishing I was blissfully unaware of the rest of the world!

It just too bad that we will probably have to have this conversation over and over and over and....