I share your observations, but take umbrage with this:
>It feels like culturally there is a big emphasis on projecting an image that you know everything that needs to be known
I don't think it's about projecting an image. My way of thinking about it is that inside everyone's head there is a module that's responsible for taking two inputs (1: the state that you would like to exist, 2: the state that you observe to exist), and producing one output: the state you believe to exist. Different people have different algorithms for doing it. Certain algorithms are more prevalent in some cultures than others. I know several Americans who heavily weight input #1.
I lived in Bangalore for a few months, and have taken long vacations in India twice. I found that the issue described is very similar whether you're booking a taxi in advance (not a great idea, btw), or outsourcing code. My rationalization helps me to be at peace with it most of the time, but not all.
>It feels like culturally there is a big emphasis on projecting an image that you know everything that needs to be known
I don't think it's about projecting an image. My way of thinking about it is that inside everyone's head there is a module that's responsible for taking two inputs (1: the state that you would like to exist, 2: the state that you observe to exist), and producing one output: the state you believe to exist. Different people have different algorithms for doing it. Certain algorithms are more prevalent in some cultures than others. I know several Americans who heavily weight input #1.
I lived in Bangalore for a few months, and have taken long vacations in India twice. I found that the issue described is very similar whether you're booking a taxi in advance (not a great idea, btw), or outsourcing code. My rationalization helps me to be at peace with it most of the time, but not all.