Desi,
It looks like nobody else wants to jump in, so I'll give you my answer. Yes, most rules for poker are very similar between cash and tournaments. When I say that, I am refering to rules of etiquette and basic rules of the game. Direction of play, acting in turn, not exposing cards, check-raise, etc.... I would say the biggest difference is the form of punishment to offending players. In tournaments players can be forced to sit out a round or more, depending on the infraction. They could also be removed from the tournament in extreme cases.
Casino cash games may handle situations the same as a private game. Players in cash games will not put up with any player that continues breaking rules after being warned of their improper action, like not acting in turn. Penalties that are used in tournaments are often pointless in cash games. Forcing a player to sit out just makes the game short handed and is not really punishment. Players can be asked not to return, or removed by security in severe cases. Private games might even bring worse punishment because offending players don't have the same protection (legal) or otherwise, that they would get in a casino.
I guess that players in cash games need to know all of the rules, and abide by them, or they can go home and play solitare. Annoying players will cause others to just pick up their chips and cash-out. They are not "locked-in" to that seat, or they don't have to worry about how much they have invested in the tournament buy-in.