Hello Alpha03,

It does sound like a subtle form of bullying, definitely disrespecting, from this person. If you're perceiving put-downs then, yes, cut him out of your life, avoid, and/or tell him - and this is difficult as well - tell him you don't like the put-downs and to stop please. At least he'll know where you stand.

In terms of those others following the crowd taking digs at you, my previous advice applies there too. But if you've weighed up your situation and you still feel you want to be where all these people are, then you might have to try to 'take it on the chin' a little bit. I mean some people's way of trying to be funny can be a little brutal at times - so there's that as well.