[LomodiorCon]

I see it too. Thai people try not be angry, else they feel ashamed of their weakness (angry=weakness). They see strentgh in being composed, I think. This I think is the way they deal with life out of home and friend's circle. But I think within their close circuit they may be very open in their views. This is my speculation... I wonder if its true...

This is also a trait I see among all Buddhist people. In my place we have many people from Tibet. And I have met Buddhist from Sri Lanka too. They all 'choose' to be polite when dealing with people when in public and the way you describe.

But among Westerners, what I little experienced, I feel people from US, Australia & Britain choose to be more upfront about whatever they think. When they see something which they think is wrong they think its perfect to change it soon. And that could end up anywhere. When I come across the Scandanavian people they also try to remain quite shy about being negative. They are quite ready to conclude 'this is how it is out here. So that's it. End. ". Well... that's my general judgements.