We often idealize foreign cultures because the people we encounter from them—like diplomats, artists, and intellectuals—are often exceptional individuals. In contrast, the people we see in our own culture, including those in different social or professional groups, represent a full spectrum of society, not just the elite.
This "selection bias" explains why our feelings about the "cultures" we are most familiar with, such as different professions or social circles, are more mixed. For instance, a top doctor may interact with other top doctors they choose to associate with, but they work with nurses of all skill levels. This can lead to a skewed perception.
Essentially, our judgment of any group is heavily influenced by whether we're exposed to its best, its worst, or a random sample.
:P if I was in those circles, I might point out that all the great Russian authors spill a lot of ink criticizing the Russian government.
4Viliam
This would be a great strategy in a world where people care about facts.
Even if I provided a quote, they would probably accuse me that I made it up, or took it out of context. I don't expect that most of them have actually read the books.