Actually, I am a Violist

When carrying my viola around to different events (church, weddings, gigs), I always get asked or told one of the following:

Ahh, how sweet! You and your sister playing violin and cello together...

How do you like violin?

Is that a violin?

I loved how you played your violin.

Is your violin in tune? It sounds awfully flat.
My reply:

"Why, thank you (if their comment is positve), actually I play viola"

Sometimes, they know what one is but most of the time people do not. Being able to tell people what I play and what it is is one of the many reasons I love playing viola.