I had not made the connection myself yet but having just finished the german version (the only one I read), I now can't unsee Josef K as Larry David, it fits perfectly. I was very surprised, given it's reputation, how funny the book was.
In the book it is also pointed out more than once that Josef K's trial is not held in the "regular" court. Which to me indicates that the convoluted nature of the trial doesn't necessarily reflect on all bureaucracies, even if it's tempting to interpret it like that.
> Most of them are American because psychology is a bigger thing in the US than in Europe, or at least it seemed to be regarding well-known theories, so I presume most research happens there.
I'm not sure about the amount of research but the amount of psychology students here in the Netherlands is huge. And it seems to function in much the same way. Often first-years get some form of credit for mandatory participation in experiments for higher-year students and sometimes regular faculty members. I'm also aware of some researchers going out of their way to get a different sample from the population but in the end it's a lot easier to get participants when you make them.
This is also my experience in Vienna. Having been there very often and also a few times in London I would say that there are both noisey and quiet bars/café's/pubs in both cities. And indeed in most cities in europe.
In the book it is also pointed out more than once that Josef K's trial is not held in the "regular" court. Which to me indicates that the convoluted nature of the trial doesn't necessarily reflect on all bureaucracies, even if it's tempting to interpret it like that.