Well don't worry about me. I didn't really shrug it off as much as you might think. You really can't. I gave as good as I got. Better in fact. I learned all about "the escalation of force" ladder. That includes verbal force. Always stay one level of force above your opponent. Smack talk is a weapon. Some people are better than others and verbal judo can serve a man well. It's also important to not let your opponent think he's rattled you.
You have a tough job.
I’ll wager you have mastered the art and science of “comparementalization?”