That's the plan @LMK74 , celebrate the ridiculous :)
I know people like your neighbour generally mean well and can be incredibly kind. It is, as you say, a foot in mouth thing, I'll bet he has a few, and you wouldn't want to upset him.
I sometimes have to turn down my auto-response function, shut my mouth and put up with nonsense because doing what I feel like doing would just cause too much trouble and take too much time to explain. Those prone to idiotic comments or unnecessary rudeness or incompetence are generally completely baffled when you call them for it.
I do find, however, that quietly imagining them in places they wouldn't want to be helps. Google Jackass Mousetrap Game (turn the sound down for your own safety) That's one of my favourite places to 'drop' people. Up yourself young registrar? Guess where nasty old Aunty Marg is visualising you right now. Take that and leave wondering why I was chuckling to myself in the middle of some unpleasant experience.
