[StrandedAlien]

True. You have to remember that I'm not only gaijin (to use the Japanese term), I'm an aspie. Aspies in general take American bluntness to an even further extreme. An aspie might ask their friend "Am I annoying you?" and actually expect a straight answer.

My entire family has strong aspie traits, so this kind of bluntness was not only practiced, but expected. Indirect communication of any kind was nonexistent and was usually interpreted as deceitful, passive-aggressive, or manipulative. At best it was taken to be a sign of low self-esteem. It's taken me a while to realize that most cultures don't behave this way.