asian cultures vs us-american culture
"Hsu elaborates that in interdependent cultures such as China and other Asian countries, children are expected to be sensitive to the environment, whereas in the American individualistic culture the children expect the environment to be sensitive to them. American children are encouraged to express themselves, to speak up. Chinese children are taught to get along, to place others' needs before their own. Chinese children are told frequently to ting hua, literally, to listen to the speech (of an adult). These rules of behaviour become deeply engrained and are carried into adulthood outside of the home. Of course, these are cultural values that individuals strive toward, with various degrees of success. Not all Chinese are modest, and not all [white] Americans are assertive."
"They [Americans] simply make themselves at home."
"[...] a Japanese would almost never ask a stranger (in their home) unceremoniously if he was hungry, but would produce something to give him without asking. To be personally attentive is a valued interpersonal behaviour in Chinese and other Asian cultures."
"[...] I have been asked by several visiting Chinese psychologists, "Why do the Americans have to ask if you want something?" A Chinese American invited one of the visitors to a movie by asking if he wanted to go. He said no, smiling. I happened to be there and witnessed the cross-cultural misunderstanding. I knew he really wanted to go but could not bring himself to say so. It is not 'proper'."
From a book on Chinese-Americans.