You are exactly right.

If you say anything back to him to try to get him the way he
got you, it will cost you more.

I used to work with a guy who was impossible to tease. You’d say something – not
mean spirited, just in fun – and he’d say, “Yeah?…,” like “and your point is…?”
There is no response to that. Just like your big brother/sister, when you stop
reacting, it’s not fun for them anymore. It’s one of those things your mom told you
all your life, but you’re like, “But, Mom! I have to say something! She started
it!” And how many times have you heard a parent say, “Well, I’m ending it.” It’s
because they don’t care who started it; neither of you should be behaving that way.

Also, one of the best way to deal with such fools is not to become one yourself.
Which is exactly what you do when you start in with your own, “Oh, yeah? Well, [add
insult here].”

You say people behave this way “for no good reason.” Of course they have a reason.
Just not one that makes any sense to you. The reason people behave that way is that
it gives them a feeling of power. A feeling that you reinforce when you get upset
and strike back.

You say you can’t keep your mouth shut? Why? Is there something holding your jaw
open? The first thing I think you have to do is take full responsibility for your
own actions. You have not yet gotten the full cost of mouthing off or you would
have stopped it by now. The goal is to stop it before you do some damage with your
mouth.

Yes, people like that are rude, have no respect for themselves or anybody else. But
that’s their problem. You are making it yours.

And you have no idea what level of education he has. Manners and self-respect have
nothing at all to do with education. Or intellect. Which you have proven with your
not being able to keep your mouth shut. ’Cause to me, that sounds very intolerant
and stubborn.

What you want is exactly what little kids want when they say, “But he started it!”
You want justice, vindication. Or worse yet, revenge. Well, that’s not your job.
It’s not your right. As the saying goes, who died and made you God? You don’t get
to set the rules of behavior. You would probably respond with, “But somethings are
just common sense, common courtesy!” To many of us, yes, at least in this culture
(USA). But it doesn’t matter. You still have no right to exact judgement.

You also don’t know why things happen, in the grand scheme of things. Sounds to me
like God put those people in your path just for the purpose of ticking you off so
you can see how much of a problem your temper is and how much you need to learn to
control it. I’m not saying that justifies their behavior. But always look for the
lesson.