## Direct and Indirect Communication Styles Source URL:: <https://multiculturalyou.com/2020/06/22/direct-and-indirect-communication-styles/> In many Eastern European countries, if you come to somebody’s house and they offer you a cup of tea, it is considered impolite to accept immediately. You have to decline a couple of times, saying you don’t want to bother the host, then eventually continue declining but with less emphasis, which means that you actually […] ### Highlights > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Tue Mar 28 2023 11:30:13 GMT-0400%% > > Direct communication is when the speaker communicates true intentions directly in the verbal message. Direct communicators’ messages usually don’t have an underlying meaning. They value direct answers, honesty and frankness. &gt;This communication style is considered more “task-oriented” because criticism is expressed more freely and it is taken less personally. &gt;Direct people are not afraid of conflict and are used to disagree with others openly. For them, honesty is the best policy. > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Tue Mar 28 2023 11:33:54 GMT-0400%% > > Indirect communication is when true intentions are not verbally expressed but come from context or non-verbal communication. Indirect speakers usually don’t make a direct statement if it may cause tension or conflict. They will find more convoluted ways to reply to avoid saying “no”. > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Tue Mar 28 2023 11:54:51 GMT-0400%% > > Direct communication is usually considered to be characteristic of Western cultures, which tend to be individualistic, egalitarian, and analytical. Indirect communication is typical for Eastern cultures which tend to be collective, and hierarchical.