And I think you are missing MY point
sure they may over gesture when they speak to you, but my point is look at it from their side. The older people who won't say a word were indoctrinated that all foreigners were monsters coming to their land to pillage and destroy, sure they found that was wrong but it has to leave some psychological scars, so if I freak them out and they feel I can't communicate with me I'll choose to say it's just not that big of a deal. Old or young, if they act foolishly when they speak to me I don't take it as a personal affront I assume something in their past causes them to act this foolish way and its simply not MY problem but THEIRS.
And you're right those damn yanks and Auzzies are too friendly they need to learn some manners and be more standoffish after all they are guests here.
Look, I just think giving EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt is a more comfortable way of living on this crowded little ball of mud we call earth.