I disengage. You get to a point where further engagement is pointless.

If it's your job to handle them you ask your supervisor for assistance. If it is strictly personal you freeze them out of your life.

I tell them that their rudeness is unacceptable. A discussion is fine, but I don't tolerate rudeness.

when it gets to "that point", I just put myself in 'creepy mode' - in the same mental spot I take myself to when I am writing (especially when I am writing thriller/horror work), and I let that MF'er just chat and jabber away (because no one knows what will come out of that mouth).

Oddly, they tend to shy away from me after that, so I don't have to worry about them anymore.

Not sure why, but it works

I'm really nice to them, so others can see them as an asshole.

I don’t always respond to people depending on how I feel and I generally try to avoid conflict. I prefer to be the adult in control. But if I do respond, I speak my mind and don’t really care what anyone thinks of me. I just don’t care anymore about people’s opinions. But if we agree, then all the better.

I don't usually accomodate rude people. If they're rude to me I either am rude back or I just leave. Life is too short to be pissed.

I usually cut a 90s wrestling promo on them.

It is helpful to remember at the start, that their actions and feelings are not your fault! Don't allow your emotions to be riled by theirs! And make every effort to 'hear' their story even when if it seems out there in 'left field' (and it may be). If they leave with the same 'stance,' that they showed up with...there is little you could have done to begin with. Sometimes, I have been in a state of anxiety over some matter...that I can hardly calm my emotional state...even when a person has make a good faith effort to clear things up for me! But, I do remember clearly the difference I feel when a person has not 'ratcheted-it-up' with me! Sometimes my anxiety is blocking my absorbion of a matter! I cannot connect to what information is being given to me...but it is even worse, if the person tries to 'knock-it-into' my thick head! My emotional state may be over more than that particular moment or issue...or it has been perculating over something else or could be a chemical change in my body!

Depends if they are a customer or not. If not, I like to surprise me depending on the circumstances I never know what I might say.

In professional environments, I tell them that I cannot let them talk to me that way. Then continue helping them. If it continues, I would tell them that I'll have to come back to them when I can help.
I work IT.

it depends on my mood, if im already irritated, i may just walk away or block them or if i have to, tell them to go stick it in their fudge factory. but on days like today, im feeling a bit playful, so i am currently handleing it by openly discussing things i know are touchy subjects. it can be amusing to watch them not know how to handle the fact that im comfortable talking about such things, while they are getting all flustered

You have to follow your own sense of dignity and monitor your levels of defensiveness

Walk away from them.

When I’m not representing my employer … speak my mind. I’m finding it one of the perks of age

Usually, everyone within earshot’s thinking the same thing.. just confirm it. If it rolls off with conviction, it usually sticks.

It depends on the setting. I have to deal with rude and angry people quite often professionally. I usually will ask clients nicely to please be respectful, and if they continue I warn them once, and then I leave. Generally, they aren't angry at me, and I get a phone call or text apologizing.

Most other situations I just try to be as kind as possible, and leave the situation as soon as possible.

In a professional setting, I tell them what their options are 1 last time then immediately ask them, "I know you are busy & I do not want to take up any more of your valuable time so before i let you go, is there anything else i can help you with today?" They usually end it, otherwise i do.

As a customer, I try very hard to be nice, be precise & work through the system. I know what its like being on the receiving end so when i do have to be a cast iron bitch, I explain & ask nicely for the supervisor they hate the most because I'm about to make someone's life a living hell & front line customer service is not paid nearly enough to have to deal with me. I haven't been turned down yet.

In real life, on my own time, I do not suffer fools lightly or for long. If they don't like how things are, I have no qualms in telling them to bugger off in no uncertain terms. Life is too short for stupid shit.

I generally bite my tongue and do my best to avoid them. Unless they get confrontational, and then I'll push back.

But, mostly I grin and bear it, and limit my interations with them.

Let them know how uncivil their behavior is and that you will not tolerate it. Tell them that they have a choice: Modify their behavior or you will leave any kind of a relationsip with them. Make sure that the latter is not what you wold prefer, but that it is what you will do if you have to.

I am a vey quielty spoken guy, but not small, well over 6ft, and though overwight now, wasn't always. Even when thin, many women cannot put their arms around my chest. So I tend to lean over them and ask if they really wish to piss me off.

I tell them to bugger off.

I will try once or twice to be friendly, but the moment someone is a jerk, they become a non-entity to me. If people are rude, I don't have time or space for them in my life.

In work, I calmy say 'I'm sorry, but you appear to be confusing me with someone who accepts being spoken to in that manner'. Then I look for any opportunity to trip them up.

Outside work I resort to plain old 'F&% you!', and get on with my day. I'm not a complicated person.

I let my mind drift and go into a thousand yard stare, when they ask if I'm listening I tell them "No".