Why are people here so judgmental?

I moved here recently from the Middle East and I noticed people here judge wayyy more than elsewhere. Not only that but they are so self conscious about being judged too? Especially about the smallest of things like for example my uni friend would be like “hey let’s not go out of class with the lab coats on cause people will judge us” who cares?? It’s so minuscule that if someone actually cares they can kiss my ass lolll

Anyway I later noticed that everyone here acts on a judge and be judged policy 💀 especially when people hesitate to ask questions or answer questions in class cause they’re scared people will judge them if they are wrong? Jeez how exhausting must a life like this be.

It’s the biggest cultural shift I have experienced imo. I thought it was just family who act like this not kids my age.