Direct versus Indirect

Those of us who are direct...

• Are upset when the same people who expect us to read their every little gesture and nuance act as if they specifically told us how they feel;



• Prefer people to drop the background information and say exactly what they want;



• Weigh our words carefully and expect others to do the same;



• Don't say "yes" when we mean "no."



• Are more interested in the message than in the relationship.

Those of us who are indirect...

• Like to be read;



• Are upset when we have to explain something that should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of sensitivity;



• Listen for what is meant rather than what is said;



• Don't say "yes" when we mean "no" but instead say either in a variety of ways;



• Are more interested in the relationship than in the message.