Is it really being seriously sugggested that there is some duty to keep shtum when you come up against some bit of bureaucratic foolishness, rather than kicking up a fuss, which might possibly get things sorted out, so helping both you and other people in the future?

There are a lot of people who do actually believe that. Actually that kind of embarrassment about kicking up a fuss is probably more in line with the English stereotype , whereas the stereotype American is seen as more likely to go to the other extreme.

All stereotypes oversimplify reality - though most stereotypes probably do contain some aspect of truth, the truth always contains a number of other aspects.

I am firm in my opinions, you are obstinate, he is pigheaded...