@ Kanadian: I did a stint in China and now in the Gulf, and this kind of crap is the same among EFLers the world over. Someone a bit better looking, the knives come out....someone speaks more standard English, the knives come out...someone highly qualified the knives come out...

Sad to say, the office of the college where I now work, I trust noone, looking and listening can help you learn a lot more than talking, thankfully some of the locals and students are friendly and kind, otherwise it would be hell.

There are always those who will squash your shoulders down, just to help themselves get ahead and over the wall. Watch out, that is all that can be said....