How to deal with mean/rude people

When snarky people strike, you could stew and come up with the perfect, biting comeback or you could try these responses instead.
1. To the Random, Infuriated Stranger: "Happy New Year!"
In our world of road rage and viral tirades, dealing with a jerk in public can be dangerous. So, proceed with caution—and where possible, kindness, too. Consider the technique used by a real-life relative of mine, when the man behind her in the drive-through-banking line felt that she was making her deposit too slowly. He laid on his horn, then proceeded to get out of his car, walk over and lean in toward her window, demanding to know, at a high volume, what in the bleep was taking her so long. Stunned, she answered, "Merry Christmas!" It was eight weeks past Christmas. The out-of-nowhere response confused him, shutting him up—and, as an added bonus, made her feel great, the way saying "Merry Christmas!" can. No fighting, no yelling, no stooping to his level. When he opened his mouth again, she added, "Happy New Year!", then calmly completed her transaction while he, rudeness-neutralized, stormed back to his vehicle.

2. To Your Bitter Co-Worker: "Let's do this over email."
You don't go to bed before an anger-dissolving heart-to-heart with your spouse (if you want to continue to live with this person). You explain to your best friend how she hurt your feelings and hug it out. But with crabby Carol from accounting a little bit of avoidance is not going to damage your nonexistent relationship. The next time she attacks, simply say, "Oh dear, I've got to go. Let's continue this on email." People tend to stick to the point on email—they want to do something for you or they want you to do something for them. Commentary on your new (very reasonably priced!) car or (slightly outdated!) hairstyle rarely comes up—and if it does, you can always click and drop the email directly in the trash.

3. To the Bad First Date: "This isn't just about the soggy French fries, is it?"
Fifteen minutes in and you've already heard about how much he hates the food, his football team, annoying baby sister and the uncomfortable chairs in doctors' waiting rooms. When he yells at the waitress about the soggy fries, you may just want to dump your ketchup on his lap. "Why are people mean? Here's the short answer: They're hurt. Here's the long answer: They're really hurt," and ask him for a little backstory. The really good news here: His tale of past pain and woe doesn't have to merge with your future. Express your sympathies. Don't order a second drink you don't want to prolong the bad date.

4. To the Loudmouth, Extended-Family Member: "I'm sensitive."
Because this is not the year your uncle Kevin or Aunty Joy is going to miraculously transform into a person who refrains from making withering asides about everyone's eating habits/child-rearing skills/voting record/city of choice/favorite sports team. Luckily, their lack of a filter is not your responsibility to fix, particularly since you probably rarely see them. But you are allowed to express yourself, perhaps by saying, "You know what, aunty? I'm really sensitive to comments like that." She'll probably be so surprised that it will at least buy you a few minutes of quiet. Just fight the urge to apologize. You're not sorry, you're sensitive.

5. To the Online Troll: Nothing at all. Just block them

Source: Oprah.com