Further proof, as if any were needed, that the English really are rather different from the rest of humanity:

In December 1948 a Washington radio
station telephoned various ambassadors in the capital and asked what
each would like for Christmas. Their replies were duly recorded and
broadcast in a special programme the following week. “Peace throughout
the world,” the French Ambassador requested. “Freedom for all people
enslaved by imperialism,” his Soviet counterpart intoned … Then came
the voice of the British Ambassador, Sir Oliver Franks: “Well, it’s
very kind of you to ask,” he politely remarked. “I’d quite like a box
of crystallized fruit.”
[Source: Geoffrey Moorhouse, The Diplomats]