This thread started out relating a situation that I believe develops many times every day in modern cockpits: automation switchology induced confusion, ie. the airplane is not doing what you expected or programed it to do. Can happen to any one of us at any time, regardless experience, ex-pat/local, airline, third world/western etc... The "golden arms" will say we should all be supermen in our knowledge and execution of automation in all flight senarios. That's not reality.
I submit that the solution is extremely simple; when your brain signals confusion, push the buttons on the yoke and on the thrust levers and make the airplane do what you want it to do. If the FD is further contributing to your and PM confusion and the PM is unsure about how to set up the MCP, call for FD off. Once your brain and the A/C is back in sync, turn the magic back on. It really is that simple.
Sadly, the administrative politics surrounding all this is not, but then that's not what I get paid to deal with.