Obviously one can imagine legitimate exceptions to any saying, but in your particular examples I think what you're describing is just legitimate differences in cultural norms. I would argue that if the prevailing culture is a certain way, then someone who carpet bags in and judges people to be assholes based on a foreign rubric is in fact an asshole.

As someone who has also lived in some of those places. This is always my reaction when I hear that quote.

It's like, no, some places really are just filled with assholes.

Maybe in America it's still true, but there I also feel like it's changing for the worse as well.

Not many friendly people walking around this planet anymore it seems.