DEAR ABBY: People occasionally tell me I look like a famous person. They can be mere acquaintances, people I don't know or people I don't want to know. I've never seen the resemblance, and since this famous person is known for poor judgment and bad behavior I regard it as an insult.
People seem shocked when I respond with an insult. How do they expect me to respond? I can't imagine walking up to someone and saying, "You look like ..." even if it were true. This is finally starting to bother me. How should I respond? -- NOT VILLAINOUS -- YET
DEAR NOT VILLAINOUS (YET): People may be shocked when you answer them with an insult because they were not trying to be insulting. Rather than become defensive, try this: Smile and say, "You know, I hear that all the time. But I assure you we are not related -- and I don't act like ____ either. "