The shittiness of humans transcends culture. Here we are in two very different countries and cultures and I could have told a similar story. It's unreal. I won't bore you with the details. But I definitley feel you. It's their way of exerting control, like you said. I hate to say, but that woman is a loser. Sorry this happened, but now you know why you distanced yourself from them in the first place. Great storytelling, btw, too.