I have written before that an asshole should never act insulted, but that is a good idea for non-assholes as well. During a recent Carling Cup clash between West Ham and Millwall, there was a good deal of violence and general unpleasantness - even more than usual when these sides clash. Some supporters also chanted insults at various players. Instead of complaining and condemning, though, Carlton Cole said the following about being called a monkey:

I heard it but it's football. I don't care. I know I'm not a monkey. I might be as strong as a gorilla but I'm not a monkey.

You've just got to carry on and get on with it and we got the result. That was the main point, the fans got what they deserved.

Being targeted is part and parcel of football. As you get bigger in football, you're going to get taunts.

That's the best way to react to insults - be dismissive or even act as if they were a compliment. On a lighter note, the vocalist in one of my bands was very happy that some old man who was angry at her called her a "snot-nosed brat". When you're 30 years old, that's just about the best compliment anyone can give you.