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Addendum. I have heard some tales of Americans getting hassled in the UK for being American. Certainly there are a lot of people there who aren't above shafting you as a rich American. And do not mistake courtesy for personal liking; we Americans, being naturally friendly and without pretense, always suppose that if people are extremely courteous this is a personal compliment. It is not. The British, particularly the upper and upper-middle classes, have a great natural gift for administering a subtle verbal stab between the ribs couched in perfectly unexceptionable words.

If any British person ever criticizes my country, its policies, its people, or its president, I respond in the way they understand best: with icy courtesy. I turn to them slowly, survey them with unveiled contempt for the count of five, and then say in frozen but excruciatingly clear tones, "I do beg your pardon, but I don't recall soliciting your opinion on the matter." Then I turn away with an expression of cold distaste on my face.

Losing one's temper, acting outraged, launching into a diatribe, or otherwise showing emotion just makes you the loser. It's kind of like Japan in that way.