I really needed that belly laugh today, @Frank. I think the way to clarify a situation similar to that is the approach - Nice wedding! Bride or groom?
One way out of such life threatening situations is - Just say: I'm sorry, I misplaced my glasses today,. Unless you already have spectacles on. In which case, you're done for!
Not sure if this is real or an urban legend... But once there was this guy who was really low on cash. However he needed to buy a gift for a friend for his wedding. Suddenly at the gift shop he saw something very beautiful made in porcelain, but broken in 2 pieces. The shopkeeper was about to throw it away. But this person bought it for almost nothing. Then asked the shopkeeper to have it giftwrapped. Idea was that when his friend would open the box, he will see 2 broken pieces. And so would assume that the object must have broken during shipping. However he would still appreciate that his friend bought him something beautiful and very costly to decorate his home with. As after all, it's the thought which counts, right? Well unknown to this guy who had bought it - The shopkeeper put each one of the 2 broken pieces in separate bags, then giftwrapped them both together in a single box.
Years ago at work on a coffee break I asked one of the lady warehouse workers when her baby was due. You guessed it. Not pregnant. I've been told to never ask about a baby unless you spot it exiting the mom's body.
Ouch, @S-H, that must have hurt when he found out. I know people who have done just that, @cuatro-gatos. I think the advice you got is very good!
I never learn. We visited a cathedral on our trip. I had forgotten to put my phone on soundless, and oldest daughter rang me whilst we were wandering about inside that cathedral. My ring tone is "Highway to Hell". It has happened before, inside a big timber church we visited a few years back. I had managed to supress that experience.
