Crossword Genius

Maybe American partners at table less easy-going (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

westerner

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'maybe american' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'partners at table less easy-going' is the wordplay.
'partners at table' becomes 'we' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'less easy-going' becomes 'sterner' (I've seen this before).
'we'+'sterner'='WESTERNER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for westerner that I've seen before include "Frenchman compared to Thai, say" , "Could be European" , "may be a North American" , "European or American" , "One from certain quarter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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