As an American, I've had both experiences. One job I had, I was hired by the owner of a multi-million dollar a year company at his kitchen table with his wife

As an American, I've had both experiences. One job I had, I was hired by the owner of a multi-million dollar a year company at his kitchen table with his wife and their kids were making a racket upstairs playing. He was always approachable and a friendly guy. One of the best jobs I ever had. Years later he sold the company to some venture capitalist outfit out of Boston (I think it was Boston) that had hopes of expanding the business he created. Everybody at the top of that thing acted as if they were more special than anyone else in the room (including some high level people) not realizing they were just that somewhat interesting white speck on top of chicken shit. Once it became clear there was no interest in continuing the successful path of the previous owner, I left. Something like 75% of my department (including some high level people) thought the same and left as well. I put in my notice to my boss a day after he had put in his notice. That was a fun final two weeks.