Just wanted to say it was interesting to read about your insights on this. I grew up in a household with a lot of anger and often screaming fights, and I think I'm less rattled by it than many people. Friends also run the gamut from pretty self-contained to "could go off at any minute."

I get frustrated much more easily than I get angry, and I find that empathetic humor works well in those instances. It seems to work well in that "taking a step back" that will defuse the response. But it depends on the person.