Am I a WHAT?

Jean Kerr once related how a polite young man at a cocktail party ruined her day, or at least what remained of it, by asking how she had voted in an election far predating her arrival at the age of 21.  The voting age has, of course, changed since then, and to date nobody has yet wanted to know whether I voted for Johnson, or even Nixon. 
The other evening, though, a very nice young lady had me similarly choking on my tonsils with the simple question, "Are you a nun?"
Please understand that I have the greatest admiration for nuns.  According to something I read just recently, the term is properly applied only to those who are cloistered, so I have to assume that this delightful girl hadn't read the same publication.  She appeared to be quite sane, so I am sure both of us realized we were standing in a regular parish church, with nary a grille in sight.  I have the greatest admiration for sisters, too.  I would never suggest that it's an insult, of any kind, to be mistaken for one.
But I have to wonder.
I know many consecrated religious wear wedding bands, being Brides of Christ and all (although I would wonder whether those bands are ever Claddagh rings: just asking), but do they wear diamond solitaires, too?    I mean, wouldn't that be a strain on the collective finances, after a while?
Something tells me I shouldn't be bothered by this.  Undoubtedly it is a compliment, and one I don't deserve....
Foil highlights!  C'mon!  I ask you... foil highlights!  Would a nun have foil highlights, with or without a wimple? 
In fact, imagine what a huge compliment it is to be mistaken for someone so holy that she has consecrated her entire life to God and spends most of the day in prayer, rather than just ducking in late to prayer group after running errands and meeting with an editor and....
Running clothes!  I assure you, I was wearing a running suit.  And cross-trainers.  OK, there's nothing to say a nun, or at least a sister, couldn't wear that; but would she wear it to church?  Nah, that's left for slackers like me.
Isn't it astonishing that anybody could look at somebody as worldly and distracted as I am and come up with anything approaching the image of a dedicated religious?  Wow, how off-base can you get?  I am humbled beyond belief.
But that's the last time I leave the house without lipstick.