Money def pays the bills and in this world where big gifts produce even bigger smiles, it's certainly good to have some (for peace of mind)

Having lived in diff cities in the US, I can say ppl can be very rude - however, the city I currently live in is a place where please and thank you is practiced - at least more than elsewhere. I would say, it's because of that, saying thank you for every little thing has become second nature - learning by example :)