An insult is a gross indignity directed toward a person or groups of individuals. It is an act that causes, or has the potential to cause, serious emotional, psychological and physiological discomfort. An insult cuts to the core of one's self-esteem and equilibrium.

American author Russell Lynes (1910-1991) had this to say about an insult: “The only graceful way to accept an insult is to ignore it. If you can't ignore it, top it. If you can't top it, laugh at it. If you can't laugh at it, it’s probably deserved.”

Talk show hosts and comedians David Letterman and Jay Leno, among others, have developed an art form in insulting people. They joke about how some people look, speak, dress, act in public, etc. Anyone they can make jokes about is fair game to them. This includes President George W. Bush. Letterman and Leno might refer to this as having “innocent fun.”

Radio personality Don Imus used his airwave programs to insult and make fun of people, to the satisfaction of applauding audiences. He had the temerity to poke fun at former President and Mrs. Bill Clinton during a time they were with him on the dias at a dinner. The contemptuous insult Imus made recently about the Rutgers University women's basketball team was rather tasteless and void of integrity. Cries of indignation were heard from around the United States.

An insult was uttered recently by NBA referee Joey Crawford to San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan during a basketball game. Crawford reportedly said, “Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?” NBA Commissioner David Stern suspended the veteran referee indefinitely.

Some television shows have large ratings based on insults directed toward participants, with audiences feeding and urging on the frenzy behavior. On one of the shows, the female contestants will first exchange insults with each other. When the insults get rough, they start fighting. “The Jerry Springer Show” operates on the basis of insults and indignation.

Insulting people is a behavior demonstrated by people desirous of this kind of emotional release. While it is a bizarre form of behavior, it is ingrained in the psyche of a percentage of young people and adults. Here are four prescriptions for dealing with general insults:

1. Analyze the insult to determine the insulter’s motive. What was the person hoping to accomplish by insulting you? Was the insult designed to make you act, feel or do better?

2. Make an all-out effort to isolate the insult by thinking deeply as to why you were on the receiving end of the insult.

3. Decide on a course of action to address the crucial aspects of the insult. Could it be that popping gum in public is being impolite? Was your form-fitting skirt really too revealing?

4. Let a few days pass before you decide if there is a message for your benefit in the insult. Major point: Some insults might be tasteless, but they could contain valuable lessons.

Henry Miller (American novelist, 1891-1980) wrote, “Like ships, men founder time and again.” If insults generate improved behavior, they might be of value to the recipients. But if persons keep insulting others without benefits to them, this kind of insulting gets one into personal and other difficulties. And this behavior should be ceased. Immediately.

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