"The kicker? Apparently, according to IronMaidenBoy later, they liked me. I couldn't resist muttering that I was glad he'd told me, because I wouldn't have known otherwise..."
You know, I have this sense that the reason they decided they like you is that they prodded you about a number of hot points, and you maintained a gracious charm through the whole thing instead of blowing up like I'm sure they suspected you would. It may surprise you, but when some folks find out that someone they pegged as a "wild one" turns out to have manners, they end up with more respect then if you'd come across as (their version of) normal from the start.