To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.
If someone is calling you something you don't like being called, either hit them back, laugh it off, tell them to stop, or if it's bad enough just stop hanging with them.
That's just advice though. I've been called all kind of crazy shit in the past and it doesn't bother me in the least. I've probably been called an asshole more than anything else but I just wear that as a badge of honor.