My favorite response to such questions is to give them a quick look of sympathy then shake my head and walk away. I'm not sure there is an "appropriate" response to an inappropriate question. But I think you've done a good job with the article as I'm not sure everybody would be comfortable with my approach.

In South Korea (I've been watching a lot of SK dramas since COVID) they often ignore inquiries and comments of all kinds. They are not culturally conditioned to feel that it is necessary to respond to everything someone else says. I like that.