Of course you're right that this is the fundamental dilemma, and I generally agree with what you (and the author) are saying.
The point I was trying to make, though, is that it cuts both ways: If you know it's a litigious society, you have to be aware of what's going to be in the other person's mind when you flex your "I was wronged" muscles. Marching up to someone who isn't cut-and-dry responsible for wronging you and demanding an apology, that's a really assholish thing to do.
Before the average person will forgo a lawsuit
I really hope that the average person thinks of a lawsuit as a last resort, rather than as something to forgo.
The point I was trying to make, though, is that it cuts both ways: If you know it's a litigious society, you have to be aware of what's going to be in the other person's mind when you flex your "I was wronged" muscles. Marching up to someone who isn't cut-and-dry responsible for wronging you and demanding an apology, that's a really assholish thing to do.
Before the average person will forgo a lawsuit
I really hope that the average person thinks of a lawsuit as a last resort, rather than as something to forgo.