Well unfortunately everwhere has its bad habits, I've worked for some of the highest people in society and have been shocked by behaviour and seen them eat in a manner worse then children.
Then i've worked in places where i'm expected to eat pizza and hamburger (shamefully) with a knife and fork.

Funny you should comment on the stamps which are designed to be licked, I suppose I have just grown up accepting that as the norm. I do believe that the UK is going for all self adhesive stamps now.

Sit around McDonalds in the UK one day, you'll see some awful sights!