Just general curiosity, and to know how knowledgeable they are. Many people don't even know the answer to what caliber of the gun they own is.
Probably just making conversation or curious. Maybe they are judging based on the caliber you carry. No different than someone asking what trim line or engine size for your car.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.