A ha! Norway. It explains so much. I have been to Norway, Sweden, and Finland as well as Denmark. Some of the finest JW's I have ever met. It is key to understanding how you are able to do what you are, without being carted out and thrown in the street.
EVERYONE: This is a culture thing. I too was wondering how he would have had such comparatively reasonable responses. In Scandinavia in particular, there is less of a heirarchy view of systems. For example, if you are a manager of a company, you wouldn't neccesarily just tell who is "beneath" you what to do. Usually meetings and concensus drive the group forward. Very socialist, and very everyones thoughts matter kind of culture.
As long as you continue the respectful dialogue, I think you may be able to actually get somewhere. Now out here in america, you probably would have been talked down to, and been dealing with more easily flustered people because of our particular cultural hang ups. I wouldn't expect the full on revolution you may be desiring, but any good is still a nice move.