Right that's what I was trying to convey in my lazy comment. It's not about architecture, weather or whatever else. Americans just generally aren't interested in sipping coffee while people-watching or exchanging political, religious cultural views with anyone less than an intimate friend for a couple of hours out of the day. Their cultural DNA simply lacks the propensity for that kind of activity.

Americans unwind in one of two extreme ways: individual reclusive zen retreats or challenges (yoga, spa treatments, rock-climbing..) or over-the-top social interactions (heavy drinking gatherings, fancy dinner parties, themed events).

Sure there are exceptions as some have mentioned, but they don't make up enough of a critical mass for it to have a meaningful impact on the culture as a whole.

England does also not have the right weather. It is much nicer to sit outside in the evening and enjoy a whine, if you are not freezing.