It is important to understand that American culture encourages its citizens to be more assertive and individualistic and puts less social pressure on the people to conform. As a result, Americans are more eager than some Europeans to voice their opinions and thoughts. On the one hand, this directness can help resolve misunderstandings quickly and allows Americans to break the ice faster, make new friends and acquaintances quickly. But, on the other, it can end up being insensitive and rude. Often called “brutal honesty,” American directness can be overwhelming and shocking to foreigners who are not used to having their personal mental space invaded so suddenly. The reverse of this can be seen in the Pacific Northwest of the country. It is acknowledged that people are much more visibly considerate and polite in cities like Seattle but are also much more distant and distrusting than the populace elsewhere.
Indirectness can be very useful when dealing with sensitive issues and personal beliefs when it is important not to offend anyone. On the other hand, direct-yet-sensible people have proven to be more successful at finding their niche in society, in the workplace, and among their peers. Ultimately, there is no perfect advice on when it is best to be direct or indirect. A person needs to evaluate his or her situation before choosing an approach.