I felt the same way about USA and USAians before I went there for WOTF in 1993. All my biases went out the window once I realised that it's not a monoculture. There are good things and bad, just like anywhere. I'm still shocked by some things when I go back (food serving sizes, hyperreligiosity, lack of a kettle in hotel rooms) but on the whole I enjoy it. And I have lots of wonderful friends there that I'd never see if I didn't go.

I hope the trip to London won't be too :-(