[gaius]

UK people are much of a muchness. Americans run a full-spectrum

I suspect in the UK you've unconsciously constructed an echo chamber around yourself, it's easy to do, especially in London where you can easily fall into a demographic/subculture and never interact with anyone else. Whereas when traveling you are out of your "comfort zone" and interact with a greater range of people.

People are people, and the UK has a reputation for eccentricity for a reason...

[tome]

Don't you think that most people from western countries would be shocked when an acquaintance casually mentions that he should have brought a gun in case he needs to shoot a criminal?

[hugh3]

Only because it's illegal to do so in most western countries.

But to be shocked by that in America seems to show a rather high degree of cultural illiteracy.

[gaius]

No, why would we? We're all familiar with American culture from TV. Outside of cities like Boston I'd be more surprised to meet an American who didn't own a gun!