Is it a cultural divide? i dont think so but be prepared for some people to tear you a new one just because you said something not nice about someone who happens to be brown. :D
it may just be him being spoiled, that's it..has nothing to do with his culture or religion.
Sara, rotfl!! I think you're right about him being spoiled. I have known many desis, out living on their own but this is my first experience in living with a desi teen. So I was pretty unsure about the whole thing - ie., is it typical that a male desi teen is spoiled (likely I think) and culturally, is it acceptable for them to behave this way in the house of a close relative?