In British society the   ‘put-down’ is seen as a clever social mechanism in which one person feels good by making another feel bad. One hint of why America works differently comes in the wonderful New York Times illustrated essay by Maria Kalman called And The Pursuit of Happiness in which she lists George Washington’s ‘rules of civility and decent behaviour in company and conversations. 

Rule 1:- Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect for those who are present.