[Bonk]

Poker is somewhat confrontational in nature. Some people, especially after losing, can become more aggressive and 'seek revenge'. It looks like the case here.

You said you were strongly affected when they started berating you. You should have quit playing with them when you realized that, in my opinion. Why?

First, you should not let yourself be burdened by any kind of emotion on the poker table. Emotions cloud your judgment and have a negative effect on your decision making process. STRONG emotions will destroy your game, pure and simple.

Second, when you join a live poker game you usually don't come only to win money but also to socialize and have a good time. If someone is destroying your experience then why should you continue playing?

Third, you said that you ‘didn’t take it laying down’. This was probably a mistake on your part (you recognize it). It’s obvious that the people involved were highly confrontational and probably *enjoyed* you getting back at them. You shouldn’t give them the satisfaction and you shouldn’t give yourself the dissatisfaction.
Break these types of situations early, ignore those persons or move to another table completely.

Those are my two cents.
Cheers.