Dutch directness (directheid) is one of the most commented-upon cultural traits by expats and newcomers. When a Dutch colleague says your presentation was not very good, they genuinely mean to be helpful. There is no social padding, no sandwich of praise — just the observation. This comes from a deep cultural value of eerlijkheid (honesty) and efficiency in communication.
The origin of this directness is partly historical. Dutch trading culture rewarded clarity in negotiation. Calvinism, which shaped Dutch society for centuries, valued plain speech and distrusted ornamentation. The phrase doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg (just act normal, that is already crazy enough) encapsulates the Dutch preference for unpretentious, straightforward behaviour.
For language learners, understanding directness prevents a lot of confusion. When someone says Dat is niet zo goed (That is not so good), they are being honest, not passive-aggressive. When they do not add pleasantries before criticism, they are respecting your time. Learning to receive and give direct feedback in Dutch is a cultural skill as important as any grammar rule.