What a nice thread here on the eve of the 4th of July. I’m feeling the love right back at y'all.
The service is only really good because of their 'tipping laws'
I disagree with this. If there is one generalization that can be made about the US, it is that there is definitely a strong work ethic and doing one’s job well is a matter of pride. You will find, I think, that customer service is of a generally high standard even in non-tipping environments.
The only reason they are so OTT polite is because they literally aren't paid a living wage and depend on the whims of customers to make up their wages.
The minimum wage laws apply to the food service industry, just as to other businesses. If tips do not reach the minimum wage, the restaurant owner must pay the difference. Of course if that happens on a regular basis, the server would likely be looking for another job. Most of the people I know who are servers make more (and in some cases) quite a bit more than the minimum wage.
DH had to wait until the national anthem had finished playing before he could buy a burger at a baseball match in San Francisco.
Well, of course he did. 
Do people in the UK mill about and buy burgers during the national anthem? 
Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever. No presents to buy. No religious aspect just a holiday devoted to getting together with friends and family and eating turkey gravy and stuffing.
Absolutely. Except I’m in the South so it’s dressing, not stuffing. Some of us American mumsnetters are trying to get MNHQ to give us a turkey emoticon for the day.
The college system is horrendous for cost but brilliant the way it allows 18 year olds to postpone choosing their careers and instead get a good liberal arts education.
But we also have a system of community colleges (usually two years) that are inexpensive and much easier to get into. People often start there and then transfer to a larger university after two years.