When people are mean to you, they're giving you the permission to be mean to them too. Since you can, why not?

No matter how much we're afraid of some people, it's always because we let them intimidate us. So what if they make fun of you? So what if they look down on you? It's your thoughts that count.

You are allowed to be assertive to anyone. Don't need to care about hurting the feelings of those who don't care about yours. Be firm and superior to them.

I only realised this today.