Mouse, not 'rat', Smiles! Smiles likes to take advantage of anonymity and safety that the internet affords, so he calls me White Rat.
I suppose I could make up some twisted nickname for Smiles in response , some 'clever' nick, but I don't. He has a nick, it's Smiles, and that's how I address him.
There is something to be said about very simple, easy principle about how to speak to people on web boards - do not use insults that you wouldn't while speaking to that person face to face. I try to follow that rule.
Reason no1 - that's how civilized, educated people talk to each other.
Reason No2 - one day I may run into, or meet the person who I've thrown lame insult at, it would be awkward meeting.
For a person who has no intention to meet a fellow board member, this rule is of no concern. These are the people who casually drop the most personal insults, because they never have to answer for their words. Basically cowards.