Ex-pat American living in Europe for 25+ years. I'm here to help:
1. Status. How to tell everyone you're a doctor that earns a lot of money without telling everyone you're a doctor (even if you don't yet earn a lot of money and have $200k in student debt).
2. Status. Unlike in Europe, showing your wealth is encouraged. Or showing the wealth you wish you had. Or showing the wealth you'll have right after you win the lottery or invent the next iPhone.
3. Status. By not keeping appointment times, I can show you how busy I am. Being busy is super important in the US.
4. Status. It is hard to become a doctor. It is a) expensive, b) the subject matter is difficult, c) the accredidation is difficult, and d) they have done a great job in protecting their guild. Compare this with two other regulated professions, lawyers and engineers. Lawyers have managed a-d pretty well, but not so well as doctors, particulary b-d. Engineers have only (b) which is kind of obvious, and as a result they earn good salaries but have virtually no high status in society.
5. Ego. Particularly the top 20% of the US is taught from birth that the sun shines out of our asses. We saved Europe twice in two world wars; we ended slavery; we are the freeist people EVAH; we have the best constitution; yada yada yada. Obviously everything we say is important, so show some respect and listen, OK?
6. Status. Bigger is better, right? I may have 3 mortgages but my neighbors only see my 4000 ft² house and my $100k, 2 ton, 4 door pickup truck with the bed that has never been used to haul anything.
7. You almost got it at the end. US dogs are nervous BECAUSE their parents are nervous. Cool, calm dog = cool, calm dog parents. I've had a dog 17 years in Europe, so this is based a lot on observation both here in Europe and in the US (we traveled there with our first dog).
[edit] Exception to #7 are rescue dogs. Our rescue is calm now after 18 months with us, but when we first got him he had a lot of nervous ticks. We still see some behaviour that makes it clear that poor old fella (he’s 11 we think) has had some trauma in his life. I can imagine there are dogs that have issues no longer how long they are with calm hoomans.
You're welcome.
