Yep. This is where the hilariously negative though accurate stereotypes of my people (Armenians) come from. Take people fresh out of 80 years of communism, bring them to America and they go a little to hard on the old consumer culture and bathing in cologne

Then how does one explain the USA and Japan (just as two examples out of many) - both wealthy countries with very distinct cultures?

Japanese tourists are amazing. I once saw a 20-something couple silently watch a beautiful peacock stroll through the grounds of St. John the Divine, for an HOUR. I was walking around and enjoying the space, but those two seemed to have found some sort of peace with the place that locals will never have. The nodded to me when they left and cleaned up their picnic perfectly. You don't see many Japanese tourists anymore and (completely uniquely) that's a shame.