It's difficult for foreigners to find themselves in China where they must suddenly cope with changes in lifestyle, schedules, food and a different kind of morality. Even some of the better people will degenerate into the worst versions of themselves. Ordinarily pleasant people become resentful and quick tempered. You mentioned another becoming suicidal. I do notice a lot of Brits will become very impatient quickly. They are very much used to polite culture where everyone tries to accomodate the others privacy and comforts. In some ways the UK is the 'cultural opposite' of China.

In my case the comparison I wanted to make was that of working class cities. It's true Liverpool has moved to become a modern 'white collar' metropolitan kind of city but still their heart is a working man's hearty rough northern city without pretense and where even the women are tough. I guess you can say its their background. I felt Zhengzhou was something comparable in that sense. They aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and don't feel the need to act so important.

But yes most people will become miserable, impatient and even start lashing out in China but I think there is something where Brits are especially easy to crack this way.