This discussion has been very interesting with some good comments. As usual there is more than one correct answer. Unfortunately there has been an occasional ad hominem incident. For instance if someone is venting their frustration or stating an opinion on a given subject/incident it is really nasty to suggest that the expat you disagree with should go back to the US even if he isn't from the US. In my country of Canada we always bash the Americans but in truth they aren't much different than us and when we travel there or meet an American we don't think negative of them, in fact most are very interesting. Of course we all know of examples of the iconic American's pride coming across as superiority but that is not the norm. Just as I find many Vietnamese don't understand my Vietnamese, I find many that do, old or young, poor or rich, friends or new acquaintances. Negative generalities are counterproductive and we know that any society's people are not homogenous. Vietnamese people as a rule are friendly, helpful and intelligent as much as anyone. Of course a developing nation's people won't have the same social standards of the educated Westerner but in many cases that is part of the charm of Vietnam. It's OK by me if they want to put the most succulent morsel of food in my bowl.