First of all you forgot Canada in your list of countries with aeronautical background.
Second, I agree with you and your statements that there is a cultural baggage that does help in one becoming a good pilot.
Anyone like you said, can learn to fly an aircraft but not all will become good pilots for various reasons. The same can be said about driving a car or any other motorized vehicle.
One of my hobbies is to teach people how to drive their usually expensive cars on a race track in high performance driving schools so that they can learn how to drive properly and understand the physics behind driving. Let me tell you that not all of them will ever "get it".
I also believe one of the ingredients required to be a good pilot is "common sense". Some people just don't have it and will allow themselves to get deeper in trouble when someone with common sense will back off prior to getting in trouble.