I learned a long time ago Louisa that if someone asks me a question I choose not to reply to I just ask them a question right back...Example:

"So Loiusa how do you like just being a lady of leisure with nothing to do all day but rest?"

Your reply could be:

"Say Chatty is that a new hairdo I see, or are you letting it grow longer? Looks nice."

>or<

"Chatty, that reminds me, they are having a sale at the store, do you read any of the sale papers?"

Get the picture?
This throws the person off and puts the ball in your court. The person asking the dumb question usually forgets what they asked in the frst place. Do this often enough and before you know it those irritating questions stop, and you aren't being rude or getting angry.

Ask any question that comes to mind, the less sense it makes the better...LOL!