I want to start this thread because I don't know where else I can talk on the subject of customs and culture of different countries.

I want to start with a country of my origin.

First of all if one doesn't really want to hear the answer they  say: Good afternoon or good evening, etc.

If one says How are things? That means you are already closer and expect some kind of a reply. Usually there is familiar you in there. If one says How are you (not You) that means you are probably close friends and they expect an answer.

There is no How are You? It is just different kind of expression.

While Russian is to unscrumble his/her sentences, finding nouns, verbs and the rest, putting correct tense etc. The other is worried about his/her endings of the words (cases) and other matters.
If one adds difference of culture that conversation could be very confusing.

I understand your point, Mr Grew, with regard to use of Christian names. It is much better to say formal Mr., otherwise it is too confusing. It is an invitation to be too familiar, too disrespectful.

We (my husband and I) had such a shock when we arrived in the USA. To call each other by Christian name (with no patrimonics) and even address a professor  in this manner  at the University was unthinkable.

We just could not believe it. You meet professor by chance on the department or in the street and you say to him: Hi Jim or Bill or something  (not even Hello which would be also shocking).
I nearly had a heart attack. You don't even wait until you come closer to this professor. You simply wave- Hi Jim

In Russia it would be respectful You with all Christian name and patrimonics in place.

P.S. In Russian language they have words  for Mr or Mrs, but in my time they did not use them.
They would call each other by You with full patrimonic and a family name, but no Mr

If one is young it is all right to use informal (intimate) you.
Students in school or University always call each other informal you, but to call a teacher by name and drag his dignity down is not good.

The formal language is a sign of respect. If every body is on Christian name bases then people are confused.

When I left the Soviet Union and they used Mrs  before the name I was so pleased.
It was like we were somebody valuable, not some unimportant slave who can be send to some camp any moment.

When Revolution happened in Russia they got rid of most attributes of social status. Everyone was drugged down (not up) the social ladder.

 After revolution members of political elite (high officials of communist elite) were respected.

It is important for people to have curtsy in their  daily interraction between people.
The way people were treated in shops was not dignified at all.
Visitors to the West always told to their listeners how they were treated like royalty.
 

It could sound like: You know, they show you where to find anything you want. They ask: How can I help you? "
If one addresses each other by their full name it can be a sign of friendliness too. 

I lived for the majority of time in the United States.

When I was thinking about this thread I thought in terms of different cultural attitudes.
I was thinking about how people address each other in different countries.

I remember funny stories about Russians while we were in America. People could not understand why Russians would tell them so much about themselves when they were simply asked: How are You?

It is a matter of beeing polite to tell something and not to ignore a person.

I am not really qualified to talk on the matter you are talking about.

I have never been or employed a servant, but I believe it was usual to address them by their family names.  Bertie Wooster only finds out in the final book that Jeeves is called Reginald.

With women domestic servants, I understand from my reading of C19 literature, a parlour maid would be "Smith", but a housekeeper, or cook "Mrs Smith" irrespective of whether they were married.

That's certainly worth knowing. 

Just found this on Yahoo answers, which horrified me:

Some people... 

Philip Larkin - Vers de Société

My wife and I have asked a crowd of craps
To come and waste their time and ours: perhaps
You'd care to join us? In a pig's arse, friend...
(Asking that ass about his fool research)