Thanks for posting, bexxed! I would have been shocked at their reactions, too, definitely on the boorish end of the spectrum. It's funny the sort of things folks have trouble dealing with.
Slightly tangential to your topic, but thought I'd throw it in here for a giggle.
Years ago I was on the phone with a client in another state. She was asking me about all sorts of TV shows she enjoyed. When I told her I didn't watch TV (I was an early cable cutter back in the day) there was this really long pause, then she said "Oh, um.. are you Amish?"