How to deal with people and handle rude language?

How should one properly handle cases in which people use a rude language and indulge in idle talk or gossip, according to the Buddhist teachings? How to speak or act with a pure thought when people say stupid things and jokes at you, and use rude language towards you, trying to upset you, according to Buddhist teachings? And how to change the unwholesome thought to wholesome when the mind is full of hatred and aversion towards these people and cultivate loving kindness? Which way is best of sending metta to them?