There's something that needs to be said about how internet forums work. They all have a narrow set of accepted norms, this place included. Deviation from those norms will cause problems for the poster. To their credit the people here are very cordial, so on the occasions where I have skitted the edge of the local norms I wasn't told to "f*** off and die" or other such nonsense which can be common elsewhere.

I think people forget or downplay the fact that internet forums are used for social purposes just like real "forums" in meatspace (the local coffeeshop, hobby groups, book clubs, etc). The average poster doesn't read or participate to debate and learn only - they are looking for approval, acknowledgement, and friends as well (I certainly enjoy getting 4's for my comments). Just as in meatspace, it takes time to gain acceptance from the broader community, and before that happens feelings of isolation and indifference can be very common.

Americans do differ in that Europeans and Russians are much better conversationalists and are generally better at arguing. Arguing is a lost art in America. The odd co-evolution of conformity and individualism in our culture has led to a view that to argue with someone is to attack them at their very core. When the extra step of removing the face to face interaction is taken things can get quite ugly.

you are the media you consume.