The United States of Flakes

Here is the scenario: a casual acquaintance asked me to have coffee, we exchanged a few emails to settle on a date and time, we went back and forth a few times, with me suggesting Wednesday since I was busy on Tuesday, that was Monday and today is Wednesday, for some reason I never heard back from that person... I am like, eh, I don't particularly care if I ever hear or see you again, but if you ask me to chat, at least follow through... Flake.

What is with Americans these days? One thing I've noticed from my travels is -- Asians and southern Europeans are much more social and socially competent than Americans. In general, there is clearly a higher percentage of socially awkward people in the States than Asia and Europe. People seem uncomfortable dealing with other people in America -- even my neighbors, they seem to have problem looking at me in the eyes and saying good morning... there is this awkwardness, it's like they don't know what to do with strangers and so they put on an invisible shield. I've noticed in Asia, people tend to have multiple social circles and are generally at ease with each other. When they ask people to eat together or meet up, they mean it, there is no pretension, no overthinking, just simple easy human interaction...

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Here are a few patriotic American flakes :-)