Here in the States, many of our operations are as if we are the (only) Aviation Center of the Universe.
Many here are probably of the opinion, well, why should we care?
ATC's job, from my experience, has always been to expedite traffic flow, but safely. If one's pride is bruised, then too bad.
Many Ppruners seem to forget, or never grasped the fundamental reality that in general, Productivity (with Results) is the American way, and that being overly methodical or academic is often viewed as a potential stumbling block.
Frontiers were settled only a few generations ago. Alaska is the last frontier (here).
Various regions of the US have slightly different cultures. Many controllers have the local accent (none on the West Coast) and attitude. To help understand the differences of ATC around New York, although this comparison is a wild exaggeration, watch part of Crocodile Dundee 2. It was on tonight. We went yesterday through La Guardia (LGA). Landed on rwy 22, took off on 13 with the 'Maspeth Climb' . On the East Coast you must be not only flexible, but 'fluid', as an FE once said.