Here check this video my friend : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6Q79FkBoQ

see after 3:25. Please do.

People in India would not commit suicide due to knowing there is cyanide in comet's tail. But because maybe the gods are angry. ;-) So I do think your comment was ignorant at face value.

Hysteria is common to all cultures. Certain hysteria would be more likely in western cultures and some more likely in eastern cultures. A bomb blast in LA would lead to hysteria in CA. A bomb blast in Peshawar would be normal. Life would be okay in another two days.

I don't think it's wise to say it's a culture thing.