Why is my friend such an @$$ to me?

Question

He makes fun of me for no reason and expects me to not do anything about it. I talk back at him and he claims I take everything up the butt. Now many other people don't like him for this same exact reason. Why does he do this? Should I just stop being his friend entirely? I'm afraid if I talk to him about it, he'll just make fun of me in front of my other friends for it. He's one of those people that turn serious subjects into something to be joked about. Like making fun of Steve Irwin for being dead. Should I just punch him and walk away, or talk to him hoping he'll understand? Should I fight fire with fire and call him fat, sweaty, dirty, ugly, etc.?(he is all those things legitimately.)

Answer 1

There was this study done where this guy froze water and said nice things to it and took detailed photos of it, and then did the same and said mean things to it, and the ice crystals in the water where he said nice things were pretty and had a pattern, but when he said bad things to it they where in a chaos way. so its the same as the water in our blood stream, we are healthier when we hear nice things.
He probably does it because he feels bad about himself. (especially if he is all those things you said)
i agree with everyone else, if he can't say anything nice, then hes not really your friend.

Answer 2

it takes a stronger person to walk away. if he makes you feel that bad then you just gotta get over him, hes not a true friend. Hes too arrogant to see that he's hurting his friends but thinks its funny because maybe thats what people did to him when he was younger so hes taking his anger out on you and the other guys

Answer 3

If you don't like him just walk away from him. Insulting him back, while it might feel good just lowers you to his level. Hitting him will only land you in jail.