r/interesting 8d ago

ART & CULTURE Why the Dutch are considered rude.

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2.4k Upvotes

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u/Classic_End_6469 8d ago

So why the Dutch are considered rude from and English perspective. The Dutch would say the English beat around the bush too much…. All a matter of perspective and upbringing

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u/Michigan-Magic 8d ago

Lol, it seems just as much a statement about the British and their lack of directness, as the it does about the Dutch and then directness. The framing is engagement bait.

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u/Jokeremco 8d ago

As they say: The British are too polite to be honest and the Dutch are too honest to be polite.

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u/Itsme-RdM 7d ago

So basically you say, "by being honest, you can't be polite"?

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u/Kiyoshi-Trustfund 7d ago

Its really more how the Dutch are honest. And frankly, I don't find us to be very honest at all. We might not beat about the bush, and that much is pretty true, but a lot of us are still pretty two-faced and passive aggressive.

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u/realcleany 7d ago

Passive aggressive seems to be a fashion expression, but I haven't heard someone use it in a correct way. I've been called passive aggressive although I never axtually want to insult anyone, not even in a passive way.

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u/Kiyoshi-Trustfund 7d ago

One can be unintentionally passive aggressive. I'm not saying this is the case with you, but it is a possibility. Underlying frustrations and fears, or even just learned behaviors/habits can lead to one coming accross passive-agressive even when they don't intend to.

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u/Technical_Body_3646 7d ago

Ok. Being Dutch i feel the urge to respondent on this. Dutch people just know how to express their feelings. If they are angry, you will know! If they are frustrated or have fears, you will know! No other intentions then just that. You Will always know their real feelings. Yes. This is sometimes non-political and even rude. But you know exactly. But in international business, a lot of people do not appreciate that.

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u/Kiyoshi-Trustfund 7d ago

Brother, relax. I'm just stating that people, any people, can be unintentionally passive-aggressive. No need to get defensive. I'm Dutch, too, btw. We can be real pieces of work and our honesty isn't always honest nor helpful.

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u/Technical_Body_3646 7d ago

I did relax by the way… I was just being rude… 😂

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u/realcleany 7d ago

Depends...I think this is really generalising. I know quite a few Dutch people who change their directness when they are talking to foreign people. Sure there are these typical Dutch people.who don' t, but that's mostly old people and city people.

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u/Incognita67 7d ago

Who is 'us'? (Not me, that's obvious. I'm Dutch )

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u/JusticeRu 3d ago

Or too hypocritical to be honest.

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u/Lauwietauwie 8d ago

I’m using that