That quote is fairly eye opening. My culture is quite a bit more modest than the general American culture, to a degree that "confident" Americans are fairly annoying for not being modest.
That's a very good way to put it, and yes, you're right, it's ingrained in this (HN/Tech) and the more general American culture.
That's hilarious. I'm just sitting here imagining a bunch of hippies and valley girls eyeing a tired, geeky programmer and going "Oh my god he is like such a threat to our organization??"
Personally I like it, a very different approach to self-presentation, that in some situations is more effective than usual shy polite careful... whatever,.
But if you go backpacking in remote places somewhere in south asia for example, it can cause a bit of friction with locals sometimes.
I think this is where the difference is perceived rather than real.
I'm not shy, but I am polite. It's a virtue, not a bad thing. I generally (in social/relational situations) put others above myself. This is really networking 101, ask questions and listen, rather than make everything about yourself.
Now you characterized modest culture/people in a narrow minded way, just because that's not who you are. And I then in return gave it some more depth and ended with characterizing the "american" side in a narrow minded way.
I do see and understand your comment. I think there are upsides and downsides to both. You prefer yours and I see why I don't blame you for it. I prefer mine for different reasons. We both really are focused on the upsides of our own choices and then slowly try to incorporate the upsides of the opposite.