[toothbrush]

> Then what did op reply to their questions such as 'can't you afford a real machine'? he just mubbled? I would reply very harshly to such comments and show them who is the weakling.

That's a rather macho way of handling things. Personally, and i speak only for myself here, i would be miserable in a job that required me to behave that way, but perhaps it's fine for others. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

Just bear in mind that not everyone functions that way, some of us prefer respectful and constructive environments. But i, too, concede that that's just my preference, and there are probably different personality types that will gravitate to different office cultures.

For the record, i still think it's boorish to make such comments. I know that i would also probably just mumble and steam in such a situation (after all, i'm in people-pleasing mode, i want the job, but at the same time, i'm being goaded).