Is it more symptomatic of our culture?
Although I don't buy into this alone, when I visit the UK I do see a place where people are cowed by authority.
E.g. all the signs that"our staff have the right to a great life whilst they d!ck you around" type of trash, loads of cameras.
Plus, the British are by nature a tolerant race, who don't wish to make a fuss.
So you may have hit a raw nerve here.