>overly critical culture of many European nations prevents younger people from trying out or voicing ideas
I don't think this is what is happening here.
>humans are human and don't like being humiliated , especially in public.
This is just the cultural difference I'm talking about. Someone criticizing your work or behavior does not universally signal humiliating you as a person. I acknowledge that this may be so for you personally or in your culture.
I read the bug report thread and that was as professional as I would expect from grownups. I was responding to your statement about anglo-american culture.
I have observed this "it's OK to be direct" motto from some parts of modern Europe and, interestingly for me, Israel.
Everything we interpret depends on our training, but my observation is that this motto is very commonly interpreted to allow rude, condescending and arrogant behavior. I spent a lot of time in India. In this respect correct behavior (as taught to us by our parents) aligns with the Anglo-American view of politeness in many respects.
I have come to believe that the directness championed by some current European cultures may perhaps be a modern phenomenon, not so common before the 1940s in those countries?
I agree that too much politeness can be perverted into passive aggressive behavior but so can (and I think is) this "Let's be direct" attitude.
There has been much talk on HN and everywhere else of how to develop a code of conduct that allows honest exchange but maintain civility. I think politeness and respect is a central part of this code.
People are not computers. You can not kick them when their output does not please you. You can not kick them when you think you are better than them.
Well, perhaps you can. Perhaps being rude and arrogant leads to a better world.
I would like, however to live in a world where everyone tries to respect each other and show that respect.
I don't think this is what is happening here.
>humans are human and don't like being humiliated , especially in public.
This is just the cultural difference I'm talking about. Someone criticizing your work or behavior does not universally signal humiliating you as a person. I acknowledge that this may be so for you personally or in your culture.