Arrogance and machismo most often mask a lack of confidence, as does being reserved.

American men are strangely lacking in confidence too, they're just far more annoying about it. It's very peciliar. I actually thought you Brits were bringing with confidence till I came on Medium.

There's a whole lot of whinging about how you have no inherent value and no worth and blah blah blah. It's like you were all brainwashed into allowing your self esteem to be defined by a 19th century economist who fancied himself a philosopher.

NEVER! ever ever let an economist tell you what you're worth. They're idiots about everything important.