There is nothing special about Dashan these days. Plenty of laowai in China have his Putonghua ability in 2014. He is just another foreigner in China.

I think you meant to say 'should be just another foreigner in China.' The truth is he is not just another foreigner. I wonder if he believes in giving Chinese women allowances like you and your mate? I understand you may only give them 2000 instead of 5000. But in my book that's 2000 too much as nice as they are. Nobody gives me a 2000 handout. Good luck in Panama and sorry to hear you have gone bust.