I have to say that in 40 years of dining out, I have never encountered any such behavior. I absolutely believe you went through it, but I tend to find Americans impressively polite on average.
However (and at risk of sounding hostile), can I ask what other cultures have you experienced?
All cultures have good and bad things, it’s not xenophobic or racist (I hope) that the Chinese have statistically better school conduct and order, while the Russians are impressively tough, the Spanish are very chill and relaxed, and many more examples.
As with all previous examples, Americans have many such qualities, but I wouldn’t have thought to say polite as one of them. Maybe for the Japanese. Hope it doesn’t offend anyone. At least around here Americans have more a fame of being loud-ish and sometimes a bit lacking in reading the room. It’s absolutely terrible but, have you watched Emily in Paris? Kind of like that.
I however understand you considering Americans polite if your other comparison is, for example, Egypt.
Just so it doesn’t offend anyone, here’s some qualities I associate with Americans. Creative, resourceful, fighters for freedom and their own personal rights (litigious too), despite the current political climate.
I've visited many other countries but I should have added that most of my adult time has spent in high-end neighborhoods on the West Coast. Except for Poland and France I've never spent more than a couple of weeks in a country outside the USA. I grew up not rich in Southern California and people were polite there too. In my old age I am beginning to suspect that people are just nice to me for some reason, or that I don't perceive rudeness as well as I should.
On an individual level Chinese, Poles, rural Americans, and Russians are sort of like New Yorkers: once they know you're not going to kill them they're ridiculously warm and welcoming. Also New Yorkers: I have more than once been asked if I needed directions when I stood on a street corner consulting my nav. In 40 years of visiting New York City I just have never found people rude, whether it's bus drivers or wait staff or people in the finance district. Which means my impression of things may be suspect.
However (and at risk of sounding hostile), can I ask what other cultures have you experienced?
All cultures have good and bad things, it’s not xenophobic or racist (I hope) that the Chinese have statistically better school conduct and order, while the Russians are impressively tough, the Spanish are very chill and relaxed, and many more examples.
As with all previous examples, Americans have many such qualities, but I wouldn’t have thought to say polite as one of them. Maybe for the Japanese. Hope it doesn’t offend anyone. At least around here Americans have more a fame of being loud-ish and sometimes a bit lacking in reading the room. It’s absolutely terrible but, have you watched Emily in Paris? Kind of like that.
I however understand you considering Americans polite if your other comparison is, for example, Egypt.
Just so it doesn’t offend anyone, here’s some qualities I associate with Americans. Creative, resourceful, fighters for freedom and their own personal rights (litigious too), despite the current political climate.