Yes, you are right, there are many shades of white and it can be very overwhelming for many of us who are not design savvy. When I see a white wall I like, I ask to know the color so I know that it may be one I'll like. Of course those of us who ask know we have to get different whites and try them out on our walls to be painted. But if we see one we like it is common sense to ask the color. I don't understand your condescending comment, if I'm honest.

There is one issue with the white theory, white paint can have undertones of pink in it. I worked on a hotel project once where the client did not like pink. It isn't easy to find a true white to the untrained eye (I was an intern at the time). This is why people like to ask designers who have experience under their belt and see white in application all the time. They know what looks best with lighting (whether natural light or artificial).