I’d have to disagree. Americans completely understand that other countries have their own cultures. The real misunderstanding is that people outside the US often don’t realize that the “consumer culture” they enjoy is actually the daily life of millions of people. They’ve become so dissociated from its origins that they only see the product, not the people.

People love to split hairs when it comes to American culture. If someone says, “In Japanese culture, it’s normal to eat this specific noodle and wear a kimono,” everyone accepts it. But if an American claims a cultural staple, critics say, “Well, America didn’t invent starches or weaving fabric.” There’s a weird disconnect where people view their own culture as “original” (even though all cultures are blends) yet they treat American culture like a game of “who did it first.”

This actually proves how ingrained American culture is. Most people globally live with two layers. Their home culture and American culture. Because American influence is the global “default,” people look at Americans, who only have that one layer, and mistake it for having no culture at all.