Americans' manner

I went to the 6th floor of the library after the first class to study. There was another person waiting for the elevator beside me. As the door opened, he just went inside regardless of there is anyone still inside. When he noticed there were people who were still inside the elevator, he walked back out. Back in Vietnam, I had learned that you must step back and give way for people who walking out of the elevator first before you can go in. When boarding trains in Japan, we always yield for people who are getting off the train *then* it's our turn to walk inside the trains. I think it's a common thing and a common sense. Of course not everyone here behave this way but most of the people I see here in the States do. (not as often in big cities like New York... but hey, this is Los Angeles, this is Orange County)

Well, to be fair, people don't cut in line here. People don't trash out on the street (ok ok rarely). People put cans and bottles in recycle cans. People smile to you (most of the time with big stupid fake smiles though)... but these are not enough at least to me.

Americans need to be more polite.

I am an American myself and I don't want my kids growing up to be just like an 'average' American like some people I see here. This might offend some people though. But that's the truth we all have to change. I don't want the world to look at us and laugh at our "big-fat" ignorance (like they are doing now). That, I'm telling you, will change. But first of all, we have to change from inside to make it works.