You very likely could have gotten the same reaction if you were female. More people than not are very touchy about this kind of thing nowadays. It would be better to alert someone in the store immediately instead.

I almost had a collision coming around a corner a couple of weeks ago with a child being pushed in a baby stroller. I made the comment to the young man pushing the stroller who I assumed was her dad that she had very pretty hair (it was all curly ringlets). His response was "No offense, ma'am, but her mama doesn't like people staring at her."

I wanted to say "Well, that is offensive! What the h*** is your problem?" The only reason I noticed the child in the first place was his bad stroller driving.

I'm in my 50s, female, and look like someone's grandma. Sheesh.

It's definitely worse for men, though - I can't argue with that. I've heard nightmare stories from men who have taken their son and the son's friend out for an activity and end up getting suspicious looks when the friend has a meltdown.