Calling others names shows a total lack of self-control and disrespect towards others. It's toxic in personal relationships too. If my boss called me names I would rm -rf my hard drive and walk out immediately. I have too much self respect to deal with that.

Frankly, if you can't give and take the piss, you wouldn't last five minutes in a British workplace.

We don't take ourselves too seriously, and find people who do take themselves seriously worthy of some extra piss taking to bring them down a peg.

(Oh, and rm -rf'ing your HD *would* land you in very serious legal trouble. It is a criminal act under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. And rightly so.)

We actually have free speech in the US but we don't allow people to freely abuse us and will walk.

Same thing in Blighty old boy.

> Calling others names shows a total lack of self-control and disrespect towards others.

As does some of the conduct that may lead to the counterparty calling you names in the heat of the moment.

Blame the victim territory. Control your emotions and good things will follow.

That's the case for both sides of this equation.

You'll see plenty of it here on HN - some commenters are great at just staying within the guidelines while pushing others over the edge in frustration.