It's a thing in the nicer parts of India too, but I agree. I remember going to NYC when it was quite hot and seeing Toy Story 3. The cinema was so cold, each seat had a huge AC blasting on it at an arctic temperature. I'm not sure what the intention is. It does seem to me, as you say, that the greatest desire of americans is to live in the southern hemisphere, whether unconsciously or consciously. My guess? Americans have a strong erotic lust for both power and the subversion of nature, so it is almost sexually arousing to demonstrate enough power, even unnecessarily, to totally reverse the seasons. See also: guns, massive cars with 10 cup holders, huge interstate roads with 5 lanes in each direction, extremely consumer-engineered foods, etc.