Is it okay to be rude to someone that is rude to you?

It is only in mathematics that minus multiplied by minus equals plus. What I mean by this is that two wrongs do not make a right in real life. The question we should ask ourselves is that, is it right to be rude? Can you describe someone that is rude as being mannerly? Would you like to be associated with someone that is snobbish? Is it not rather degrading to be viewed as being unmannerly? There is a saying that says if someone mentally sound begins to fight with a mad man, it will be difficult to prove that both of them are not mad. If you respond rudely to a rude behaviour, frankly you are also rude.
If honestly you will not want to be unmannerly in your behaviour, why would you then be rude to someone that is rude to you? It is very wrong to always react, rather act or at best be proactive. When you behave rudely to someone that is rude to you, you are reacting and that will never bring the best out you, it will rather fulfil the intention of the person that was rude to you. Do not let anyone ‘remote control’ you. You can be in charge of your emotions and actions. It is very essential to always be objective.
Wikipedia describe Rudeness (also called impudence, talking fresh, sassy or effrontery) as disrespect and failure to behave within the context of a society or a group of people's social laws oretiquette.These laws have already unspokenly been established as the essential boundaries of normally accepted behavior. To be unable or unwilling to align one's behavior with these laws known to the general population of what is socially acceptable is to be rude.

There are basic ways to respond (please mind my choice of word-to respond not to react) to rude people:
1. Assess the issue at hand critically – ask yourself sincerely whether the situation making this person to react actually worth the emotional fireworks intended? When you objectively assess the situation at hand, you will definitely take appropriate actions.

2. Assess the person in question – could it be that this person is under some kind of pressure? Is this person trying to get at me? Have I offended this person in time past? Is this person misbehaviour worth my valuable attention? It will not be a wise investment of time and emotional energy to react to a rude person, if one can critically answer those questions.

3. Seek the path of grace – there times that one will need to just accept individuals with grace. We might just simply respond like Jesus said that ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing’. Jesus did not spit when they spat on him. It might be difficult but possible if we want to follow the path of truth and be objective. Pro 15:1 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

4. Give time – given that you will not respond rudely, do not try to correct the person immediately. Give time for the person to mellow down. A rude person is not objective and cannot perceive at that moment the corrective measure you intend.

5. Just ignore – there may be times to just overlook certain behaviours. It may even make the rude person to come back to his senses.

It can never be right to rude to someone that is rude to you, because that makes you also a rude person.