Right--it really is something that happens in any culture; I think some just make a bigger deal about it. And, for instance, Australians and Americans both speak English, and we might have some in common based on that ("Feeling like 'casting off this mortal coil,' are we? Well remember, you never know 'what dreams might come' if once you do") but on the other hand, some are even culture-specific (though America has a pretty hegemonic culture, so its ones get spread around). But if, for instance, there was one from "Man from Snowy River," most Americans wouldn't get it, even though it would be in English.