Why do people insist on being such bums?

[Tellos Athenaios]

Well that mythical place called 'the rest of the world' disagrees with that.

I'm not sure I'm following you (or vice versa here?), so I guess I'll have to rephrase: what I meant was the thread was full of recited samples of what might be termed plain rudeness (if not stronger). But at the same time I'm wondering how much truth there is in the notion that “blunt->rude is good” or even useful in everyday conversation, since I don't buy into the idea that Dutch people are actually appreciating being told blunty that they're a rude, ignorant and unkempt lot...

and are secretly kinda proud of that when it's pointed out.

Possibly, didn't contest that one.

Americans are worst, terribly overfriendly to us, but they are actually really friendly, we are all ewwwwwwwww when they do that watchawantwth?

True, although part of that is pure idiom. Depending where you go, you won't ever hear the locals say they like something, rather they do not dislike it. And really that's saying the same but differently.

[Fragony]

If I misunderstood the question you must have put it wrongly ;)

It's just that if you don't speak your mind and crap on their head you are being dishonest and wasting their time. That is a pretty unique feat in the Dutch mindset. We don't do pleasant we go in with a stretched leg, even as close as Belgium it's completely different.

[Ser Clegane]

We don't do pleasant we go in with a stretched leg

I would agree that in general Dutch seem to be very straight forward and "blunt" in the communication (whether this is a great thing or not obviously might depend on the situation/setting). In my experience this becomes even more obvious in business meetings than in "normal" interactions.
And this assessments comes from a German - I don't think we are widely known for beating around the bush either...

[HoreTore]

And this assessments comes from a German - I don't think we are widely known for beating around the bush either...

You're widely known for doing lots of weird stuff around the bush.........

[Fragony]

I would agree that in general Dutch seem to be very straight forward and "blunt" in the communication (whether this is a great thing or not obviously might depend on the situation/setting). In my experience this becomes even more obvious in business meetings than in "normal" interactions.
And this assessments comes from a German - I don't think we are widely known for beating around the bush either...

I can explain that for you, work and play are strictly seperated. If you want to get serious frowning try talking about your job in your spare-time, nobody cares about your job. Likewise in business meetings it's all business. They will be totally different in social situations, that's time off after all