Lifelong dignity is only attainable for the strongest or most powerful individuals. For everyone else it's a luxury that must be discarded in the face of varying degrees of need.

Can your dignity be taken without your consent - barring things like torture?

It seems to me that you're seeing dignity as a cause where I see an effect, the man who can bush it off seems stronger because he is stronger, and that is what lets him brush it off. Brushing it off is not the source of his strength, it's merely a demonstration of it. It is something to aspire to which can inspire people to work harder to better themselves, but itself does not make you stronger.

Interesting point, but let's try a hypothetical. Imagine for a moment that someone who is 'stronger', instead of brushing it off, got really upset. We all agree that if you start crying at what someone says, that's not a good look. But if you get angry? Or upset? Also not a very good look. I'm for retaliation, but as a cold calculation rather than as whiny, being upset, etc.

I think there is inherent weakness in allowing the words of others to affect you. Note that this is applicable in today's culture. In medieval times, if you insulted a man, you'd be in big trouble - because that was a shame culture. And anyone who did not retaliate would be faced with accusations that he's a 'wussy loser' in today's terminology.

So if your interest is in the greatest total empowerment of your fellow man, I believe you shouldn't try to encourage weaker or less fortunate men to value dignity over all other considerations. Instead more as a bonus objective to pursue after you're confident in succeeding in your primary goal of winning in practical terms

I encourage dignity because I view that as winning. I don't see how getting upset over what some shrewish woman says contributes to that. Particularly if they're saying it to get a reaction. What bothers them most of all if they are not taken seriously. So just don't take them seriously and demean them, for example by calling them 'little girl' or something.

Just for clarification: are we calling internet or real life?