Keep it to yourself

Today was my lab final and per usual, I was outside the classroom before class, reviewing my notes. It has been a bit cold here lately, and I was still thawing from my walk over to the building. I had my coat on, all buttoned up and I had a scarf around my neck too. It wasn't hanging loosely, but wrapped delicately around my neck. I was talking with my lab partner about one of the experiments when I hear "Hey grandma" next to me. I wasn't really listening, so I just ignored it and continued reading off my page. Then I hear again, "Grandma. Hey, grandma." Now I think to myself, 'I know this moron next to me is talking to me, but I'll be damned if I acknowledge him.' One more time, "Grandma, hey you." My lab partner looks at me and goes, " he's talking to you." I look at my lab partner, then down at my page and coolly say loud enough for him to hear, "Perhaps, but I know he doesn't think he is gonna call me grandma and have me respond to that." I even did a head bob/wave thing for emphasis. The kid chuckles, says sorry, then asks me some dumb question from lab. Here's the thing. I don't know this kid. I don't know his name, and won't know him from Adam except for the fact that he has been in my lab for the last semester. Our first words were exchanged last week when he discovered I was a post bac and 25. He seemed astonished. How is someone gonna say to a stranger with whom he has no rapport, "hey grandma." I don't know if it was because he knew I was older or because I was bundled up like old auntie Sadie, but apparently, something about me was screaming grandma. What is it about me that makes people feel free to say to me whatever stupid thing pops in their head? Do I look like I am asking to be insulted by strangers? Perhaps. Just in case you were having trouble picturing my 25 year old granny ass self, I've included a picture. Actually, I am frightened by how easily my grandma pose came. Perhaps this fool was on to something.