What I find most annoying is the incessant 'why'. I have no problems assisting my Chinese
colleagues with their English, but it's the 1000-word explanations as to 'why' that gets
boring.

Why do we say 'The cows are IN the field, yet The football players are ON the field?'

Anyone who wants to engage in conversations like this over dinner every day should ignore
your warning.

Native language speakers are rarely fascinated by their own language. Your colleagues ARE enthralled by English; it is their chosen profession.
My 'ex' worked at the United Nations. I suffered through dinners of diplomatic jargon for a decade.
The solution is to find a spouse that shares your passion outside as well as inside the bedroom.
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