I don´t thinkk being nasty pays off, only in cases where being nasty is very necessary.
I´d suggest you to read something about assertiveness and also look in the internet ways you can respond easily to insults and putdowns. No one else will give you what you lack as a child. e.g. love, assurance, recognition etc.
Trying to find it in others, can make us make a lot of mistakes. I have been there........