Perry,
Like you,I have traveled extensively. The middle and lower classes(not peasants),everywhere I have been, make ours look like dolts, for the most part, even in Mexico, Africa, and the Phillipines. I am sure you have observed the same. I have to admit, my travels, sometimes undertaken with large numbers of Americans, have inspired me not to be the best dipshit I can be.
I have wondered,Perry, have you ever read Gabriel Garcia Marquez? I bet you would like his books.