Freedom of Speech and the Ever so Blurry Line

Where does freedom of speech begin and end?  Can people say deliberately hateful things?  Should it be legal?

Given that I was raised in Texas in the U.S. I was brought up to take my personal freedoms very seriously.  When I ask myself these questions I hear an overwhelming yes.  People can say hateful things, because at the end of the day they have a right to say what they like.  You in turn, can choose not to listen.  As long as they aren't forcing you to listen to whatever it is they say; they should be able to say whatever they want and however they want.  You can choose not to listen. I would hope that soon our society will evolve into one where hate speech laws, because irrelevant, but in the meantime they isn't a single part of me that can condone a limit on freedom of speech.  If you are going to use your freedom of speech right in a way that will hurt and offend people you should be aware of what you are provoking.  While whatever happens isn't your fault and you probably don't deserve it, you still provoked it.  Being respectful and tolerant in this world will get you farther than things like talent and money.  People should aim to express their opinions while exemplifying both traits.  Until we live in a world that does that we won't know a world without violence.