No one wants someone with no mic on their time in Left 4 Dead. I know that people can be annoying, but that game can be incredibly boring if you don't have people to strategize or talk to. I enjoy the community for this game. I would rather play with someone inexperienced who has a mic, than some badass who doesn't say a word.

If I don't feel like dealing with assholes, I'll just start my own versus, and boot everyone who comes into the lobby talking shit right off the bat.

I think a big problem with some people is drunk playing as well. You can tell who got high or fucked up, and then they come in with drunk rage, plus online anonymity does not make for a good combo.

Honestly though, I have not run into that many dickheads, or I just don't pay attention as much.

I always make the best out of the doucebags on Live by fucking with them. Like a few people already mentioned, just agree with everything that they are saying about you. Or you could tell them that they are so amazing at whatever game you're playing, that you feel unworthy to be playing against them. Then every time they say something nasty, give them a compliment. Once the game ends, keep sending them friend requests and game invites.

Now if you play with a douchebag who sends you a message after the game, just reply with a "?" to everything that they send you.

I can take shit just fine. It's obnoxious, racist, sexist, mother-insulting, hooligans I can't take. And yeah, i'm totally with you on the Phantom Dust thing. I played the crap out of that game when it was release and never had an issue! I will say that the amount of jackassery on Xbox Live isn't just Americans though, I've played against some people from UK and France who were every bit as obnoxious.

Oh, and yeah, I had someone back when I was playing BlazBlue message me afterwards because he was pissed he lost. Every time he sent a message I responded much like Eric above did. All I sent back was ":-)". I think he sent about 3 messages before he gave up and left me alone.