It’s definitely true that Dutch people tend to favor direct communication. For some cultures, this may sometimes come across as “rude”, “impolite” or even “insulting”. But the opposite is true! They are not trying to act rude toward you, but they just want to be efficient at the workplace or directly tell a friend that the new haircut might not have been the best idea.
Open communication is very important for the Dutch nation. Everyone should feel safe to say what they think, want or desire. No matter if you are deciding with your team what strategy works the best for your goals, choosing a trip destination with your friend, or simply just deciding what to eat for dinner. Communication is key and therefore it is good to also learn the language to express yourself well in front of your Dutch colleagues and friends.