What is the difference of being curt and being rude?

Don't feel too bad, I'm often seen the same way. Unless you go out of your way to sugar coat, then you're often misinterpreted as rude. Especially when speaking in terms of the internet, it's almost impossible for someone who doesn't know you to interpret how you're saying something, the tone behind it, etc.... which is why emoticons and chatspeak became common to begin with, to help convey emotion or tone. So often over the net, if you say something straight forward and to the point, and don't add in the disclaimers to show that you're not intending it to be rude, then it can be taken that way. Don't let it get to ya, I don't. I say what I'm thinking, without setting out to offend anyone. If they get offended anyway, well .. there's not much I can do about that. If they want to think I'm rude, that's their right. The misinterpretation of someone I don't know half way across the world really doesn't concern me much, lol.