Miracle, I'm sorry we are talking about the word "foreigner" instead of commenting on the main point of your discussion, but I have to say that I was really surprised the first time I read on italki about the negativity of using this word, because in my part of the world we use it on a daily basis, and we don't mean to offend anyone by it or correct it when it's said in our presence. We even have an equivalent to the word in Arabic.

Everyone should know that language and culture can't be separated, and culturally the usage of "foreigner" here is normal and this might be the case in many other countries. Right now I'm being called a foreigner as well because I'm living temporarily in another country. My best friends were foreigners who studied in my country, and the word "foreigner" never offended them because we use it with a good intention. A foreigner is a person who lives in my country temporarily and doesn't hold my nationality, this is how simple we consider this word :)

Now it’s time for me to earn some down votes, but it needs to be said: All my students who’ve learned English in China misuse the term “foreigner” the way Miracle did. At our first lesson, they always tell me how exciting it is to be talking to a foreigner — me ;) I point out that from my perspective, I’m not a foreigner, and that that word is meaningless on the world wide web, where your conversation partners are all in different countries. I also mention that it’s best to eliminate that word from their vocabulary, since some people may even be offended. My new students are always surprised to learn this, since it’s the first time they’re hearing it. Even though Miracle’s English is probably better than the Chinese of any of her critics, we should keep in mind that she’s not an English native speaker, and, at worst, she simply made a poor word choice. Anyone who hasn’t had that experience hasn’t spent enough time studying foreign languages. I am especially offended that anyone would get so offended as to write a long, insulting rant, and even be so crazy as to compare a young lady’s accidental misuse of a word in a foreign language (yes, for her, English is a foreign language) to Hitler. It boggles the mind.

Intolerant? Racist? Hitler? Get a grip. She clearly used the word 'foreigner' to denote someone from another country. The people criticizing her are projecting connotations that have nothing to do with her intent. Miracle, you have nothing to apologize for, you did nothing wrong. 

Hi!

I have worked in Korea as a Dutch person. I can think of two logical reasons for this:

First if you are being sent to another country to start up something, be the manager, you probably are also one of the most energetic people in your own culture. Actually I was not, I am not referring to myself here. :-) I thought the Koreans had at least as much energy as I did, but the people sent to fix something in my company, almost always were the most career driven ones. So the non energetic foreigners stay in their own country.

Second I think mostly the Asian workers make very long hours. Sometimes I doubt if it is effective. So some people would work energetic for say a nine hour working day, and then go home. Other people would work twelve hours, but not so energetic. What is most effective? It is hard to say. But you need some rest to be creative. And if you are creative you can find ways of improving your efficiency at work, and by that save you time. So work smart, do not work hard.

(And for Russ, cut the political correctness please, she just asks a question!)

Seth, I think your interpretation of the word foreigner really says more about your insecurity.  

You can take any word and make it offensive, depending on the way it is used.  For example, if a male chauvinist said "silly woman", he would be loading the word woman with negativity.  Indeed, the Daily Mail may well load the word 'foreigner' with negativity, so I suggest you don't read it.

If anything, the OP was complimentary to her foreign colleagues. 

What word would you suggest to use instead of 'foreigner' when referring to people from different nationalities to yours?