' "Why did you come back?" but "Why ON EARTH did you come back?!" or "You must be mad" - someone who is "mad" should NOT be supervising people and machines.'

So you actually take a flippant "You must be mad!" in an interview to mean that they literally think you are mad, and THIS is the reason why you don't get work? I've had various people over the years tell me I must be mad to have emigrated to Britain from America. I don't think they were actually suggesting I was certifiable - it's just a turn of phrase.

You've been using those exact examples for several years, WAV. When was the last time someone "questioned" your re-patriation in an interview and told you that you must be mad? How many times has it actually happened in an interview context? Just wondering.

You still haven't told us why you can't apply for work in a pub or a shop, which would help to wean you off benefits and might be a good social bridge, too. You also haven't responded to the idea that, when people can't find work in their chosen profession, they often have to re-train and learn to do something else. There are various government schemes to help with this.

You can rail against immigration all you like, WAV, but just remember: it's MY taxes, and the tax of other immigrants like me, that have been paying your way for years. It's okay - you don't have to thank me.