Sorry I wasn't clear. They think they are making their point quite strongly with very explicit language, but are wrapping it in all kinds of polite conditionals

Sorry I wasn't clear. They think they are making their point quite strongly with very explicit language, but are wrapping it in all kinds of polite conditionals and ifs and hidden meanings, making it, well, less explicit : they are being indirect. Your cat is on your kitchen table, looking at the chicken. Me: Indirect : is the cat supposed to be on the table ? Direct : your cat is about to eat the chicken! get away cat! Obviously, to one culture, the 'is the cat...' version is quite explicit and forceful. To the other, not at all. https://multiculturalyou.com/2020/06/22/direct-and-indirect-communication-styles/ https://multiculturalyou.com/2020/06/22/direct-and-indirect-... (I didn't read the whole thing, but the first two sections or so are pretty much what I meant)