You can try an experiment when you're out with your girlfriend. If she's being bitchy, combative, or snarky go ahead and bicker with her, try to one-up her insults, and otherwise engage with her in the drama. While you're doing it, watch how the people around you, especially female service staff in the bar, club, coffee shop, or restaurant, react to you. Watch how they look at you and how they talk to you.
Then, another time in the same situation, try being emotionally aloof and distant when your girl is acting like that. In your mind, think of your girl as a four-year-old whose blood sugar is low because she is hungry and so is acting out on it. Do you argue and bicker with a four-year-old in public? Of course not. You're above it and in control of yourself and the situation. You react to her baiting with smirks, shrugs, and agree and amplify. Now, watch how the people around you treat you after seeing you deal with your difficult girlfriend that way. Their reaction should be noticeably different.
In my experience, in the latter situation the people around you will take your cue and treat your girlfriend in a patronizing and condescending way, which she will notice. They will treat you with more respect, especially the women. It will be a totally different atmosphere and frame.
Then, another time in the same situation, try being emotionally aloof and distant when your girl is acting like that. In your mind, think of your girl as a four-year-old whose blood sugar is low because she is hungry and so is acting out on it. Do you argue and bicker with a four-year-old in public? Of course not. You're above it and in control of yourself and the situation. You react to her baiting with smirks, shrugs, and agree and amplify. Now, watch how the people around you treat you after seeing you deal with your difficult girlfriend that way. Their reaction should be noticeably different.
In my experience, in the latter situation the people around you will take your cue and treat your girlfriend in a patronizing and condescending way, which she will notice. They will treat you with more respect, especially the women. It will be a totally different atmosphere and frame.