What is the best technique for dealing with insulting comments that people try to pass off as jokes ?
484799
The last thing, i think you should do is do the same thing. They are going to think they can keep doing it. When someone tries to pass it off as a joke, you calmly and directly say, Why are you insulting me? They will say "I am only kidding." That is when you say and not in a sarcastic tone, or pissed tone, in a calm and direct way, look them in the eyes and say,\nI find that insulting and not funny. In the future i would appreciate you not speaking to me that way." and smile. \nWhen you approach people in this way you are setting the tone on how you want to be treated. If you respond to them in the same way they spoke to you you will never really solve anything because they will know they can do it again.  When you respond in a direct, assertive way there is no grey area, they will know they shouldn't talk to you that way. If they do it again, resume the same non aggressive, direct approach, calmly and politely say, Did you forget what I told you earlier? Please don't speak to me that way. Don't worry about what they will think about what you have said to them if they were kinder people they wouldn't treat you like this in the first place. You are doing this for yourself so you don't have to think over and over afterward what should i have said that would have been better.  I use this approach and it works for me.
527354
you don't say anything to people like that. the best thing to do is ignore them and act like you did'nt even hear them. giving them a comment only let's them know they have got to you and encourages them to keep on.
417079
They can dish it out, but they sure can't take it themselves.\n\nAnd people can spend those 5 points any way they want, and I have 3 options: \n\n1) Answer\n2) Ignore\n3) Report Abuse\n\nMan, it irritates me when people answer with insults, "I don't know", or "Thanks for the points".  Lazy, point-grubbing bas$tard$.
5472
Turning it into a joke usually works the best for me. For instance if someone asks how much is your rent, you can reply with "Too much! Way too much, in fact i think i'll stop paying it soon and live in a cardboard box", or if someone asks how much you make, i've used "not enough, i'm really not sure i'll be able to pay off my private jet any time soon". Something along those lines usually lets the person know that you are not willing to give out specifics, yet at the same time it's not rude or hurtful to them.
502138
Speak up and politely advise them that this offends you. After a while, they will get the message.\n\nSet up a swear jar like Homer did: everytime someone swears, add a quarter. Once it fills up, show them how much money you saved and it will also illustrate how much they swear.
897008
Tricky Q!  One that I would ignore if I did not have a great deal of respect for the Asker.\n\nAs for personal insults and compliments--well, that's too personal.  Even given the anonymity of Y!A.  Especially given the brazen anonymity of Y!A.  To share them with you publicly would be an insult to your sensitivity; to share them with you privately would be a compliment to your sensitivity.  As priests, psychiatrists, and parents know, confidentiality is a compliment and public disclosure is an insult.  \n\nSo to generalize--and generalize only--my worst personal insults were experienced as a child or adolescent, and I am still too bitter about them and their effect upon me to expose you to my hostility, probably even unforgivable hatred.  Did I retaliate in kind?  Oh, most certainly I would have if I could have.  But years and so many sensitive others later I hope one can become an adult who attempts to protect other children and adolescents from similar suffering.\n\nMy best compliment by far was when the woman I love loved me in return and agreed to become my wife.  For love is the greatest compliment, and mutual submission the highest praise.  Beyond that, compliments are merely words and to repeat them would be to expose hearers to a false sense of pride and egotism that I could not muster.  In other words, I can't remember any such compliments that didn't seem to me to be exaggerations.\n\nNow, let's proceed to a much more important dimension of your question: public insults to a people and public compliments to our humanity.\n\nThe greatest insult I can think of is when political leaders (or would-be leaders) lie and lie and lie and spin and spin and spin and expect us (like the masses who responded to Hitler and his minions) to accept what they say because they repeat it over and over again, regardless of its truth--even when it is obviously and unashamedly untrue and irrational.  You are all fools, they seem to say, and we can treat you like fools and still manipulate you to follow us docilely.  Public media--reporters, commentators, editors, reviewers--who simply pass along the lies and the spins not only insult their readers; they accept the grossest insult of all to their own intelligence, honesty, and sense of responsibility.  It would not be difficult to name any number of contemporary politicians guilty of such insults.  It would not be easy to name very many among the media who have refused to accept such insults but have even emphasized them.\n\nTruth tellers, especially those who trust us to hear and understand unpleasant truths, compliment us mightily.  Like, yes, Edward R. Murrow and Bill Moyers and Keith Olbermann and, oh yes, even Molly Ivins.  \n\nBut the greatest compliment of all is that of artists who trust someone out there somewhere to receive and respond genuinely to the work they have thrown themselves into: poets and composers, musicians and actors, choreographers and dancers, painters and sculptors, orators and essayists, storytellers and singers.  \n\nWhen Gustav Mahler gave strangers his Resurrection Symphony, when Sylvia Plath wrote "Black Rook in Rainy Weather," when Leontyne Price sang night after night and Mikhail Baryshnikov leapt time after time, when Martin Luther King spoke and Dame Judith Anderson read her lines, they complimented those whom they did not know--strangers in the night--but whom they trusted with their efforts.  Bravo!  \n\nOur applause cannot compliment their artistry as sincerely and as vigorously as their work compliments our humanity.
1148174
Be professional and mature and remember to think as the higher person because the person who is making fun of you is obviously extremely low and you don't need to stoop to their level.  Just tell them you do not appriciate what they are doing and walk away from it.  It really makes you look like much of a stronger person.
1157237
Are you serious with this question?  I think there should be a much better use of your time then wondering the best way to insult others.  Try smiling and a positive attitude and then maybe you won't have any use for the insults.  Count to 10 and then count your blessings.  Have a great day!
801470
Make a joke about it and laugh it off--
219435
click on "report abuse" beside the rude comment.\n\nFrom there, select why you are reporting it and then add your 2 cents and click send.
108754
if you know the name of the company sending them, you can probably search them on Yahoo to get a website and there will probably be directions on cancelling the jokes - though a lot of them are to text the word "stop" to the number they're coming from... but i don't have thet type of subscription and never have -so i'm not sure...
554596
People need to lighten up, it made me chuckle but what do wanna bet it offends someone.
138600
Remarks and jusgments are part of the world we live in.\n\nIf its not about your color it will be your accent\nIf its not your nationality then it will be your religion\nIf its not your religion then it will be you ideological views\nIf its not .....\n\nIf the remark hits something that objectively penalize your work or creates prejudice against (and sometimes for) then you need to address it as an issue and not a personal comment.\n\nMy suggestion is take not of it, don't answer back or stay respectful by consuming it... Add the comments, if you here others living the same thing, than add those up, make sure your owm conduct is flawless...  \n\nThen always be prepared to present something with facts and how it affects your work or whatever environment you are in. Let him or her shout themselves in the foot. Be patient and be also ready to let go (forgive) I find that for many, ignorance is the fondation of such comments. Continue to act kindly (Not Gullibly) and learn about yourself, as when it hurt, who is hurt and why.\n\nSuccessful people are good communicators and they are able to discern and THEN discriminate what is important from what needs your attention.\n\nThe future of humanity will be in are capacity to communicate with each other. This is a great time to learn.\n\nGood luck !
909354
making fun of something that exists
762516
if they are harmless, i call them out on it\nif I don't know them or they are unbalanced, I let it go\n\nConsider it a form of flattery that someone (strangers!) would use their precious time imitating you!\nUntil they get tired of their childish ways, just post a message in your profile stating that you are the ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC (screen name here) and all others are IMITATORS
197160
try to make them laugh
775886
Well you could always try not pissing them off? \n\nI don't let it spoil my fun - if I want to say something I say it - its only Yahoo and you don't even lose points for a thumbs down so what's the problem?