I've lived in other cultures than my own for about half my life and very quickly realised that, if you are going to be happy and accepted, you have to accept the differences. I see myself as a guest and it is only polite. Here in China, I tolerate manners and customs that would be downright offensive in my culture and I may have accidentally offended people here in the earlier days through my ignorance. Rudeness is often not an absolute.
In fact, I worry about ever going home. My mother won't be pleased if I spit out my chicken or fish bones onto the table or the floor.
From the story, this guy seems not to be ignorant, but arrogant. Unfortunately, I've met more than a few like that here. Of many nationalities.
