Question about reactiveness

[Searcher]

I have mixed thoughts on the whole being reactive thing in social situations.

Primarily when people make pointed jokes which are clearly put downs.

I have read that making a "bored look" face will be the best according to the law of least effort and makes you look in control and dominant. Like an elephant ignoring a bug.

But then giving a witty reply will make the other person lose face which is like taking a club and beating him to submission.
Though this doesn't follow the law of least effort.

So how do you determine the best best course of action?

 

[D. Gately]

If the vast majority of your friends don't find you witty AND quick to reply [within a second] then you risk coming off 2nd best, overly reactive, and try-hard.

If someone tries a put-down on you, and you calmly ignore him and keep talking to a girl, who looks like the loser?

If someone says you dress ugly because you dress ugly, you have a very different problem.