Most definitely they do not pay you enough. On a good relaxed day we get polite friendly control and advice. On a trough line day with Cb's all over with an evening complex, we get some of the finest controlling in the world.
Working in a muliti-cultural environment with variable RT competencies from the aircraft, you keep the stuff together. At ELATO or SIERRA when I change frequency I know I am not only home, but in safe hands.
Yes there will always be tensions with individuals on both ends of the RT. Live with it, humour them at both ends and remember that only pilots apologise, ATC does not. It is the protocol of aviation since Pontious. Live with that or go chicken farming.
Hong Kong does not do it often but sometimes a phone call afterwards to the duty oficer is a very good way of calming the frustrations of missed communications on arrival. I've done it a couple of times and been humbled by my simplistic problem being explained as part of their total problem.
And yes, you can welcome me back anytime. I think you begin to recognise our voices as we learn to recognise yours in ATC.