Hmmm...I'm definitely don't want to be or look offensive…
I’m can be in high dudgeon, that’s true, but not offensive or aggressive.

maybe, all my thoughts look offensive for you?

Maybe, I'm use too many of "i'ms", which responds in you mind to "I'm Overlord of the Universe, but you dirt on my feet?".
In Russian if using too many "Я" it's look offensive and haughty too.
Also I’m use “you” as opposite side, and you can interpret this as “тыканье”. Who knows…

About drawing, books... yes, if you'll say that to me, my thoughts will be :
"We are just different kinds of people". Someone love Kandinsky "Black square", but most of us don’t.
I’m don’t like his works, becouse I can’t see “a work” in his painting.
But all “love” Italian Renaissance masters.
I’m prefer sculptures (big and small works) then drawings. They just “play on shadows”, but sculpture is real! Benvenuto Cellini “Persey” is the best for me.
It's just question of taste. But!

I'm want to say that's look weird, when all Western ppl, who have interest in Russian culture reads one-two-three writers. Is it be weird if we all Russians just reads Shakespeare and no more? Do you agree with me? What do you feels as American if Russians, says “American writer? Ar know, know, Shakespeare, yes?”
Either, he was Englishman in 16-17th centuries, and USA doesn’t exists in his times. Now you can understand my view of reading “classics” and trying to reach “Russian soul”?


BWT, Russians says jokes all-time. It’s can be silly jokes, dark jokes, but it’s defensive tactic to hide our incompetence.

adding...

heh! NO! I don’t call Americans dumb! But now I can clear say, then you are “over-suspicion”! And let the heavens fall on me!

I said that you(Americans) have more stable state, then Russian’s medieval society, and you don’t care if your president are dumb person like Bush! It's don't mean that all Americans are dumb, just they have other priorities on politics, and that case look weird for Russians.
History of Russia says - if rulers are dumb or coward it’s splits to the parts and destroy many lives of ordinary ppl so Russians loves strong rulers subconsciously! And bad ones like Stalin using this knowledge for gain superpower! That i said!