Americans Have No Culture

I'm no patriotic zealot but I nearly got into a fistfight today over some loudmouth who said this to someone else at an audible volume.   He's an immigrant here who is normally fairly nice but has a problem with this "corrupt society".   I said "Keep your sh*t opinions to yourself".   This led to some shouting, I got in the guys face and told him I'd pull his teeth out.   But what bothered me wasn't just his view, it was the fact that he thought he could say it and not have consequences.   Freedom of speech doesn't mean you're not gonna have big problems when insulting an entire nation with little more than ignorant bitterness about a place with a huge multi-cultural tradition.

So what of it?   What exactly is "culture" as the term is used today;  is it a synonym for 'sophisticated' or does it simply mean ethnic & national behaviors?   Most importantly though, what are your feelings on confrontation?   Usually no one wants to say anything or get involved--  is that always the best approach?   Or is it sometimes important to stand up and say "You're an idiot and I'm not afraid to say it" .