"I think we seem to be civil only when it suits us" - agreed, a lot of people in Rwanda (or, rather, NOT in Rwanda) would also agree. "My Mum ... is racist and also hates Germans" - My Grandad is salt of the earth, gentle as a lamb but is racist to the core and also HATES Germans/Japanese - but he fought and killed loads of them as they tried to kill him and (did kill) his friends. "How can it be that people can walk past someone who is clearly suffering in the street" - people are scared in this society, in London. Less likely to happen in Ivybridge, Devon or Ledbury, Herefordshire. The original premise is accurate though - most people are decent and try to be.