I don't think you can compare the US to Europe as a whole either, the workplace dynamic in southern Italy is completely different than in Norway.
Americans, but to a lesser degree people from other nationalities too, tend to be much more authoritarian and are less inclined to hide the hierarchies.
I've experienced Dutch bosses struggle with 'being bosses' in Germany, as their 'flat' approach confused their employees. I've also had German bosses try to be 'one of the guys' in Holland, but not quite pulling it off (to sometimes hilarious effect).
Both 'groups' have their own pros and cons though, to be fair. The Dutch can be horribly rude and argumentative...
As a Russian, so can I. It can be a useful trait under circumstances, but I generally try to keep it in control.
If I get an idea to work in Europe again, I'll pay closer attention to the Dutch opportunities. It's important for the people to "click" on a cross-cultural level in order to work well as a team, and I'm afraid I didn't click nearly enough back in Germany.
Anyway, no culture is perfect. We're supposed to learn from each other and work on our bad sides as recognized in others and by others.
That said, my experience is also that it's more bark than bite. We love arguing and we love telling others our views unasked, but in practice we tend to be pretty, uh, pragmatic about our beliefs. We're essentially a country of merchants/salesmen, we have been for a long time, and getting into real arguments over beliefs is not good for business. It's something I both love and hate about our culture.
(This is generalizing, of course, but I've been shocked to find out more and more how strong a 'culture' can be, even on a national level.)
In my company our group leader is judged by all employees every year and we openly discuss what we don't like about his management style. He earns a lot of respect by listening and changing or defending why he doesn't change.
The best managers find a perfect balance between competitive behavior, ego, humbleness and the ability to delegate and trust employees. Yes, the silicon valley eagerness is rewarded and encouraged but you really won't get anywhere if you are a dick. Guess that would make a dutch Steve Jobs impossible. Perhaps it is why we don't have a silicon valley equivalent.
Nations under dictators are effective but they are only nice places to be when she/he is benevolent.
I guess your reaction illustrates my point nicely I don't even consider this "bypassing". Why not feel proud of your project members? To feel bypassed is saying your are the preferred person for all communication, surely anyone can decide for themselves who they want to talk to. Would you feel afraid they say bad things? Then you are not a good leader. If you are a good leader your team makes you look good. That's how I'd see it. If someone talks to your team he probably has a reason, why even think anything about it?