This site is no longer updated. This article is copyright Robert Bacal 1998. Our policies regarding reprints and use of this material have changed. On The Line, we will help you deal with these kinds of remarks. In order to deal with these kinds of attacks there are a few things that you need to understand.
Verbal attacks follow certain patterns, and have some hidden rules.
The attacker expects you to react in particular ways. Usually a verbal attacker will expect that you will become either defensive and intimidated, or that you will become aggressive and attack back. Unfortunately, when you do what the attacker suggests, you give control to him or her, and increase the probability that the attack will continue. So, the best way to stop an attack is not to take either of these actions. So long as you do what is expected, the attacker is able to continue.