I hate LOTR! I've never heard anyone else say that. Thank you for making me feel less alone!
I made the mistake of reading the books before watching the movies. Say what you want about JRRT being a world building genius, the books are dull as shit. They are the most boring thing I've ever read. I was an avid reader at the time and ended up skipping large portions of the books to try to find any plot.
Of course that ruined any chance of me enjoying the movies. I tried watching Fellowship but I went into it with such a negative opinion after the books that it was unwatchable.
I tend to ignore people dunking on Americans because, let's face it, a lot of the criticism is warranted. But this seems completely out of left field. I've never heard this stereotype before.
We don't infantilize people in their early 20's. American's don't view 23 year olds as "naive kids." We tend to view 18 and year olds that way but by the time you hit 22 you are definitely an adult. A lot of us move away from home for college, spend a year or two in the dorms and then get a private apartment. Finances permitting, people tend to choose not moving back in with their parents after graduation. Also keep in mind that a significant chunk of Americans don't go to college and enter the workforce/military/whatever at 18.
What kind of dorms are you talking about? That sounds more like a boarding school than a college dorm. The only rules involved fire hazards (no candles) and no illegal substances. I don't know anyone who has had a dorm experience even remotely like that. Maybe at extremely religious private colleges? But those would be an exception to the rule.
I know the drinking age being 21 is seen as dumb by most of the world, and a lot of Americans feel that way too. Most Americans drink before 21 anyway.