I've found that people who prefer to receive "direct" critiques don't object to genuine praise accompanying suggestions, and so there's no need to adapt communi

I've found that people who prefer to receive "direct" critiques don't object to genuine praise accompanying suggestions, and so there's no need to adapt communication styles to omit praise. But I personally can't adapt to the subset of people who spin a preference for receiving "direct" critiques into a penchant for giving critiques with no consideration whatever for preserving the face of the recipient. My worst experiences have been with people who make a big deal about being "direct" but are actually quite psychologically astute and who find ways to smuggle maximum cruelty within their "direct" critiques, yet without going over the line where a sanction would be justified.