Noticing the quality in others and appreciating it

I made a friend this past summer who is French, and whether it's a cultural difference or just her personality, she was so blunt and unafraid to say no to things that didn't interest her or she didn't want to do. It was jarring at first, but I came to love it because I then knew that she did things she truly wanted, and was unafraid to say what was on her mind. Her being willing to be herself and be blunt in this way made me feel more comfortable doing that myself, and recognize that you're kinda helping others out when you establish your own limits, and boundaries.