I guess the best and safer bet would be to fight the strong urge or temptation to confront or engage them. First off, verify the motives behind everything. Take it higher by talking to someone in authority if you think your reputation or level of performance at work is a huge risk. We all know our boss in this part of the world sometimes will always want to maintain the volume of clients/customers/patient hence their reaction is best to imagine.
If a client/customer/patient is badmouthing you what is the best way to handle this? Share your experience and how you handle it.

Look am smile just persuade am
For your mind murder am

Dreadlock69:
Look am smile just persuade am
For your mind murder am

. I want to maintain some level of growth but at the same time how do I protect myself when some low life feel they can abuse the rule of engagement in business.

It depends on how much value the customer has and the cause of the aggression.

If it's my customer that patronises me often and always pay immediately and on time ,I wouldn't want to lose them ... I try to calm them down, 'pet' them ,get to the root of the problem and make amendments .

But if na Werey customer...Let me not talk sha

I'm self employed by the way.
If you're working with or under someone ,try to involve higher authorities before any reactions.

poshestmina:
It depends on how much value the customer has and the cause of the aggression.

If it's my customer that patronises me often and always pay immediately and on time ,I wouldn't want to lose them ... I try to calm them down, 'pet' them ,get to the root of the problem and make amendments .

But if na Werey customer...Let me not talk sha

I'm self employed by the way.
If you're working with or under someone ,try to involve higher authorities before any reactions.

You are right.

Firstly, always keep a straight face
Reply with sir/ma
Don’t interrupt
Wait your turn to talk
Try to reason ina calm way with the client
If customer still keep arguing, refer to a higher authority