Say What?

There is one terrible thing about human communication, and that is human non-communication. Often, actions or inactions imply meanings that are not literally interpretable. An example would be keeping quiet. Depending on context (and usually inscrutable expressions), it could mean comfort and contentment in being with a person, discomfort and inability to communicate with a person or a plain unwillingness to communicate. Then we have the problem of responding to that, either by prodding or keeping quiet as well.

Perhaps it is so habitual and culturally embedded that one cannot conceive of a way to be upfront without hurting another's feelings. I could say "I hate you" and thus cause hurt, or choose to stay silent and hope you go away. Many of these "misunderstandings" are really more of a total lack of understanding given that at least one party will be unwilling to verbally or visibly express one's disposition. How then can communication be precise and thus effective?!