It doesn't necessarily matter if you have to deal with them, it's how you take things in and how you cope. I have the most respect for people who have stayed there long and not sell out, although those types of expats are very rare, but I get a feeling you might be one of those. Don't forget there are a few good locals that may possess a more open minded way of looking at the world, but you have to trust yourself first. We see good examples of expats who have posted here who deluded themselves into saying they like something they don't understand, married local women who don't care for them too well, and spend their days boozed up in front of the computer winding up total strangers because it's the most meaningful interaction they will ever have in their current predicament.