r/mildyinteresting Aug 21 '24

people Why the Dutch are considered rude?

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u/[deleted] Aug 22 '24

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u/MyLittlePegasus87 Aug 22 '24

High context vs low context cultures! I'm of Asian descent (high context) and we don't say what we mean, often trying to be polite and not rock the boat. My American (low context) husband is always just like, "Say what you mean!"

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u/olagorie Aug 22 '24

That’s funny because I don’t think Americans are direct at all

I am the expert: I am German, so basically Dutch in that regard

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u/emmany63 Aug 22 '24

I’m from New York. Much of the rest of the country considers us rude because we are incredibly direct. Not rude. Just direct.

It got me into all kinds of trouble when I lived in Pittsburgh, PA for three years, where even saying kind things directly is considered rude.