Simple:
* The manager's curtness during the meeting made everyone uncomfortable.
* Her curtness towards the new employees was off-putting.
Adding context:
* Despite his impressive resume, the interviewer was put off by the candidate's curtness when answering questions.
* The curtness of his reply suggested he wasn't interested in hearing more.
* The waiter's curtness masked a deep-seated resentment towards the restaurant's policies.
Figurative language:
* The storm approached with a curtness that chilled everyone to the bone.
* The author's curtness towards her critics was legendary.
Remember, "curtness" implies a brusque, short, and often unfriendly manner of speaking or responding.