People have been led to believe in stereotypes that supposedly exist in various cultures. On a one to one basis, people are the same everywhere all over the world, with the same hopes and dreams. Don't believe everything you see or hear in the media about how westerners, Asians or Chinese supposedly behave/think.

It only affects you if you let it.

Well, for example: islam culture is prohibition of drinking, but in chinese culture have very long time wine culture. So this different culture influence muslim and chinese in dinner. If chinese man want to drinking with muslims, this relationship between them will get worse.

Totally. people to people interrelations (whatever kind) are cultural. "Culture", in its genuine meaning, is present every time in every human action/though. No need of examples: think about how you relate to yourself, for instance, when you are alone (easiest experiment in this issue). If you are not studying anthropology or something related to, i hope you havent got too deep into this "problem". Your question shows clearly you have entered some kind of lion's den!. If really interested on this, send me a private message and we may talk (no hidden intentions!). (answers below are clear examples of how "culture" mediates the attitude/standings of people.

only if there is a lack of understanding of the other culture