Having dealt with both Brits and Dutch (as peers, managers, and subordinates), there's a lot of truth in this article. I would suggest people working cross-culturally give it a look.
How To Say “This Is Crap” In Different Cultures
Different cultures qualify feedback differently.
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Yes, and amusingly we tend to follow the Dutch/German point of view.
Which when dealing with our EDM support, which is mostly Dutch based, being direct and to the point works better.
I had a Dutch boss for a while. At the time, I wish I had appreciated the approach he took.
Interestingly, later, when he was a peer/colleague, I often enjoyed his blunt calling out of the elephant in the rhetorical room.
When we say “It’s an option.” we mean “That is a terrible idea.”
When we say “I’m not sure that is the best approach.” we mean “That is going to fail.”
..ag nee dus kak …