Camping in the US of A

Things I didn't know about Americans (or had forgotten):

1) There is apparently no motorcycle helmet law in the US. People barrel down highways on their motorcycles at breakneck speeds, without a helmet.
2) You can buy guns everywhere. And they advertise: Guns! Guns! Guns!
3) Americans are friendly, but it is an aggressive kind of friendly, it dares you not to be friendly in return, just see what happens to you then, because gosh-darnit, they carry guns. * No casual 'hellos" or nods of the head for these folk, no sirree. We got "well, you have a really great day, now!" and "how are you today, folks?" And not just from the older, middle aged crowd. Teenagers that wouldn't have even made eye contact in Canada, gave us shiny toothed grins and elaborate salutations. My son would stop on the path, confused, after yet another friendly American had greeted us, and ask "who is that?" expecting as one might, that someone so friendly must be a relation or at least selling something. * The return to frosty Canada a bit of a shock. No 'hellos' here. In fact, you're lucky if someone acknowledges your existence. We are... more reserved.
4) Along with friendly, Americans have a sense of self-assurance that has long been discussed in literature (the Brits and other assorted Europeans being the first to remark upon it) but I had never really noticed it until this most recent visit. I can barely put my finger on it, but it is a way of moving through the landscape, a sense of perfect fit; this is me and I am alright and am well liked and cared for and all is well. Not a glimmer of self-doubt to be seen.

Or not in the campgrounds of Acadia National Park, anyways.