Alien, you're right of course: like I said, they can't explain WHY they insist it had to be my fault, they just know it is.

Again, this is just one more example of reactionary cultural clenching: let's not actually look at why we believe or feel something, let's not think for a moment perhaps we're being unreasonable, let's just excuse all rude and inappropriate behaviour by a local as 'cultural', which expats must always accept without a peep, as we are, after all, lucky to be here.

Rolls eyes and beats head against desk