Arguments between nemaroller and jcis are really pointless and definitely "no win" for either party.

The things you guys are arguing about are deeply embedded in your societies, countries, part of the world...

Whilst it is ok to change the job in US it might not be so in some other countries.
In US you must be aggressive in most places or they are going to eat you alive... 2-3% yearly raise (if you are lucky to get one) won't take far though but it's your life and you have to take care of yourself...
In some other countries this could be crucial to your career - you may not get a second chance because of that "Loyalty" if you ever change the job (I know this for a fact).
In some places it's definitely important to know that you can stay for a long time and some places don't even give a damn about it.
Small business vs medium vs large could also be a big factor. Mostly in big companies people can't wait till 5PM to go home and nobody cares what everybody else does.
In small complanies people may not care (not the owners - employees) but everyone's input so critical so at least they may show that they do care.

It's always difficult to suggest what to do - there are lots of factors that we may never know (it may include family situation, place where you live, commute, etc, etc, etc).
However if there is an opportunity that may improve your current and future life there is more YES than NO (if you ask me).


... my 5c anyway ...