IMHO the key is to understand who's partaking in the ad-hominem and who isn't.
The guys who're doing it generally do it quite-humorously and the Golden Rule™ has been adhered to admirably for a long time I reckon. Only 2 recent members, one of whom was banned a month ago, showed no respect for this clear divide and shot nasty stuff at all and sundry. When peeps behave like that they quickly find that they'll have no friends here.
So, if you're respectful you'll receive that in-return. If you sling poo wear your face mask and enjoy the repartee.
Hopefully this helps, mate.