Is it normal to avoid sticking up for myself?

I have this friend who frequently make comments to me about how I'll never get a certain job or making fun of the way my boyfriend looks. It doesn't happen all the time,just sometimes.

I don't like confrontation because it almost never solves anything. Both parties end up angry and generally, mean people are always in denial of it. So why try to change them?

Generally, I get over it because I attribute mean comments to insecurities. It's not my problem if somebody has to put others down to feel better about themselves.

I'm just curious, is it normal/healthy to not bother replying to such comments? I try to release anger through exercising and distractions and generally, it works. But it always makes me wary around that person. I feel like confrontations are overrated unless it's necessary to accomplish a necessary goal (roommates, coworkers, etc.) I don't think anger is a justification for it though.