Do you think that Americans are too direct?

[Lincoln]

In Thailand it is considered rude to be too direct when you tell someone "no". You are supposed to say something like "not right now, thank you" or "maybe a little bit, I'll think about it". I think that many Europeans prefer the less direct approach as well. As Americans I think that we are used to just blurting out whatever we think at the time. This offends people but we think of it as a quick way to break through the pretension and see where each party stands. If this exposes an enemy then get out the guns! (just kiding).

Anyway I like Thai culture and it makes for a more pleasant experience even though you realize that you were screwed anyway. Please give you opinions on this thread and take the poll as well (if you don't mind )

[Cruddy]

No. It saves time!

OK, OK, when you're outside of the US, it makes sense to pay atttention to local ways of doing things.

But I'm very blunt myself, so I can hardly criticise others for the same trait, can I?

[loinburger]

Nah, tact is a good thing, but so is assertiveness. I'm all for the direct approach.

[Stefu]

On the contrary, I believe that Americans and everyone else are indecisive little monkeys and could definitely use more direct an approach.

Then again, I'm a Finn.

[Shi Huangdi]

Americans aren't direct enough. People should say what they mean, rather then leave the person wondering what they mean.

[Adagio]

I'd say people in generel should be more direct...

[Az]

I think we should work out a standard for behaving to each other, or remember not to be offended or offend others.. Cultural adaptation is a *****. The "american" way of treating each other would be fine, if one actually existed. There are so many subcultures, and each one is completely different. Hippies, Black inner-city, White-suburban, White-Rural, White-UpperClass, Intellectuals, Latino-Americans...

[BeBMan]

Re: Do you think that Americans are too direct?

Originally posted by Lincoln
I think that many Europeans prefer the less direct approach as well.

Hm not sure, I usually prefer the more direct approach. Of course, even then you can (and should ) be friendly. But a response that you can interpret in various ways isn´t helpful in the end, so people should say clearly what they want (or not want).

[Jeltz]

Originally posted by Stefu
On the contrary, I believe that Americans and everyone else are indecisive little monkeys and could definitely use more direct an approach.

Then again, I'm a Finn.

I was thinking for a while how to formulate that point politely for the Americans. Thanks Stefu, you did a good job.

[Lincoln]

Maybe George Bush is a Finn??

[Solly]

I cringed when an Ameircan visiting here, when walking out of a pub of which a barmaid is and speaks Welsh, states loudly of the Weksh language "us normal people can't say all those different sounds".

(We'd been talking about how to correctly pronounce the "ll" or the "dd".)

[Lincoln]

I hope that guy does not really represent the norm.

[Shi Huangdi]

Originally posted by loinburger
Nah, tact is a good thing, but so is assertiveness. I'm all for the direct approach.

I agree completely. Personally, this is one of my biggest pet peeves. If you mean "no", then say "no". Adults should not need to sugarcoat their responses, nor should their feelings be hurt because disagrees with you, or does not want to do something. If you use a response that equates to "maybe" then people will often take that as maybe and will need to prepared for if the maybe will change to a yes. Say what you really mean so there is no doubt about your position. On the extreme of this, there are some people will say yes but then still act as if they had said no.

[jdd2007]

who cares

[Nubclear]

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
Americans aren't direct enough. People should say what they mean, rather then leave the person wondering what they mean.

Yeah. Instead of "**** those arabs." it should be "Lets have sex with those arabs"