>> I try and try to explain that this arcane system of monochrome text and rendering steps is ACTUALLY easier than editing in Microsoft Word, but my pleas fall on deaf ears.

By characterizing the system as arcane, they are tacitly acknowledging that the system does not have a noob friendly first appearances. This is empathetic, not condescending. Somebody who was condescending would not acknowledge the difficult nature of the thing they are suggesting.