I agree - casting an aura that simply does *not* expect bad things from people goes very, very far. I've talked a total stranger who quite probably did mean me harm from my bedroom at 3 a.m.
And the pepper spray isn't conspicuous (I got it from somehwere online - but I cruised for a site where I wouldn't end up on every NRA mailing list and more weird catalogues than I was ready for - I think there is a site entirely devoted to pepper sprays) - dogs are not too likely to use it against me, and carrying it as if it were to be used against humans would totally counteract that "I don't expect to be messed with" aura. (My motto is "the best defense is not to be worth fighting." - not worth it 'cause I"m no threat, not worth it 'cause I look like I might be NUTS, sometimes I wonder which one I'm casting...)