As a kid, in the Southwest, we never talked sh*t to each other, we just fought. When we moved to New York, all they would do is talk. Hence, I beat the crap out of some kids, and got beat as well. Ultimately, though I found out that being a rude smart-a$$ is just being a New Yorker, and they were expecting a response in kind, sorta like a heckler in the audience expecting insults hurled right back at 'cha. It was the quality of the insults that determined whether you won the 'fight'. Personally, I found popping the smart-a$$ in the mouth much more enjoyable, but that's just me.
Good thing we fight together against liberal whackos.