> It has bad community culture of all sorts.
On this I agree. The irony is that rural America, highly dependent on cars, has, imho and experience, radically stronger community than dense urban centers!
When it comes to food I'm far more inclined to blame the economics. American restaurants try to get as many patrons in and out as possible. Clear that table and get the next guest in. This is just as true in SF and NYC as suburbia. TBH I genuinely do not understand how the economics of restaurants in Japan and Paris work. I've been to both and when I look at the prices, patrons, and staff I don't get it.
If there is any root cause to the woes of America it's probably the cost of land/housing/real estate. The monthly lease for a half decent commercial space is so astronomical there's no option but to cycle as many patrons through as possible.