To add, it is absolutely possible to say what you think in a direct, but still polite or nice or kind way.

True. Here in Switzerland, Germans are often perceived rude because of their directness but honestly I appreciate it - not a fan of small talk and empty smiles

Exactly, I live in Southern USA and it seems impossible to get anything done without hours of small talk.

Um es klar zu sagen, reden Sie nicht um den heißen Brei herum

My attention span is, just enough to get simple instructions and then i hunt squirrels, if it is longer i still hunt squirrels just mentally

As an American, I agree. Just spit it out. Or, as we say in my family, don't go around the barn to get to the house.

This is a clear demonstration of some of the pitfalls between cross cultural communication. At first glance to some, this is indicative of vague conversation, when it's less about 'beating around the bush' as it an example of cultural difference in the unique perspective of time/space. As in the way time itself is viewed and valued. When I say that I am talking about the western notion that time is linear,and business is to be conducted on that shortest distance line between the 'start' and 'end', with little regard than to agenda. Eastern philosophy views times in a more 'ball of string' concept, and business needs to maintain synergy and group harmony in accordance with agenda, and with time (end)not as fundamentally important as result. Hence, you will get more obtuse forms of communication that may appear to be inefficient, but may be more constructive. Consider this confusion as a perfect example of perspective!

I don’t mind chit chat. However I don’t need someone to minimize their opinions or bury pertinent facts in meaningless driveling. Tell me what’s up. Be honest. Tell me facts, your opinions, and don’t be afraid to ask anything. Then once that’s out of the way, chit chat will be a lot more pleasant for all of us.

“Beating around the bush” is what the expression usually is. I like those expressions. “Barking up the wrong tree” :)

And if someone asks about your day, you will tell them about your day. They are obviously interested!

Wow. In that case I would advise you not visit Canada 🇨🇦 We are a very friendly people here. Sorry...

Between black and white there are millions of colors.

Smalltalk I've come to learn is a way that most people(mainly Neurotypicals, those with personality disorders have to really try to do this, its not instinctive for us), work out whether they are *safe* in your presence or whether you are a *psycho* thus they ask a lot of nonsensical appearing questions to work out what you are as regards to the status quo. The closer your answers are to everyone else they know, the *safer* they feel around you and the more likely they will open up for normal conversations.

You could have said that in one sentence to save my time.

Alexander, I'm Italian and I wholeheartedly agree... but my friends often tell me I must be German 😅

I'm an American, but I am also direct and to the point. I don't have the patience, time or desire for small talk. It is one of the most annoying aspects of being "social." I avoid it at all costs. One day my boss told me I'm strange because I don't say hello every time I see him or chat before getting down to the issue. Now, I am sickly sweet to him.

It's actually funny... Since I moved to Germany I always found it a bit annoying how you have to make a whole pretalk and flatter people around here before you can word what you actually want. We're a lot more direct where I came from... As an example, I had to reply to an email and was with some friends at that time, so they offered to help. I had to write a whole paragraph for something I would have answered - in my native language - in just a sentence...

Because it gives the person time to judge how you might respond, so they can decide if they'll pull back telling you what they were going to tell you.

I agree.

I agree. Get to the point and once a decision is made and you have agreement move on. Some times Britons are evasive and opaque. It's irritating and a waste of time and energy.

Uk unfortunately is like China in this example.... 🤦‍♀️

I think that your opinion is well explained there, and you made a laudable effort when writing it down. I have however some doubts on how people from other culture may react to it, if they didn't spend their formative years in Germany (you may have to correct me if you are indeed living in another German speaking country, and I apologize in advance if I hurt your feelings, I am very sorry even if I am not Canadian).

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At least on meetings. If you have something important, say it, if not, shut up, let the meeting end. Unless we discussed everything important and now we are making fun of something/someone.

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"Sigh", you "oh I am such an efficient superior german" , "sigh"...

Yeah talk talk talk and get nowhere. Actually that's politics too.

That’s because there’s a language barrier. Say that in English….INSTANT international crisis because some American or hot-headed Irishman clocked the s**t outta some Indian or Chinese (include other nationalities here _____) individual(s). It IS a cultural thing, not sure about “race” per se. I’m an inveterate American traveler, & I’m frequently embarrassed/disgraced by my own country with the way we behave as guests in someone else’s “house” (country). To those whom I’ve offended whilst learning in my travels, I am so sorry :(

I completely agree with the 'harmony' concept. I'm Asian but grew up in the US and visit family back home often, so I grew up with both "sets of rules", so to speak. Part of the reason for the round-about-path is to feel out the other person's view, so you do not offend them while making your point; harmony. Another reason is that asking about their health, family, pets, holiday vacation, etc...all the social questions, are trying to establish that you care about the other person as a human being, not merely another business transaction, political opponent, etc. The third reason is that by playing devil's advocate, or looking at different things connecting or contributing to your point and discussing them, you are also greasing the skids for the other person to arrive at the same destination as you, but in a less combative way. In Asian culture, if someone is "beating around the bush" too long, you can get them to cut to the chase by looking like you've gotta leave soon.

I took it to be a reflection of the greater emphasis on diplomacy and saving face in Eastern cultures. So, for example, maybe they tell someone there is a problem but frame it in a way that allows the offender to understand they erred without being directly accusatory. There is certainly some value to that, to keep temperatures down, making it easier to make whatever progress is desired. It's pretty much the opposite of 99% of social media commentary.