[rwhitman]

Continuing the generalizations depicted in this post - I would say that the politely disingenuous "this is awesome" response is actually endemic to the West Coast. I've found folks in the Bay Area in particular have a strong aversion to "negative energy".

Having spent some time on both coasts I'd say its not necessarily an "American" thing, its more a "Californian" thing. Here in NYC, I'm learning that negative feedback is pretty common and often encouraged.

[hvs]

Here in the midwest, "this is awesome" is not commonly heard, but people are generally averse to confrontation. So, they will most likely give a "that's interesting" up to, and past, the midpoint of the normal distribution depicted. If it's really a terrible idea in their eyes, they will most likely make a sarcastic comment. Midwesterns (as a general stereotype, which is what we are talking about here) also tend to be less than energetic about new and different things, so no matter how good your idea is, you will be seen as crazy (or stupid) for trying to start a company in the first place.