Do you equate good communication with being clear and direct?

Or with showing respect and maintaining harmony?

It depends on who you ask.

Scene One:

The Living Room (Japan)

A Japanese father sits in the living room.
He doesn’t look up.
He simply says, softly:

“Haizara.” (Ashtray)

An American guest would hear a request for one thing: the ashtray.

But his daughter hears everything implied — 

She brings the ashtray, his lighter, his cigarettes on a small tray. 
Then heads to the kitchen to prepare tea.

This scene reflects the quiet choreography of a Japanese proverb:  
Ichi ieba ju wo shiru — hear one, understand ten.

He said one word.
She understood ten.

Scene Two:

The Car (Mexico)

Two colleagues are driving after a long day.
The window is open, and the evening air is getting cold.

The Mexican colleague looks out and says, softly:
“The weather’s really starting to get cold, isn’t it.”

The American nods.  “Yes, it has.”

A moment passes.
She tries again.

“Aren’t you cold.”

He answers the question. “No, I’m fine.”

The window stays open.
The cold keeps drifting in.

She delivered the cue.
He misread the scene.

The scene ends. The confusion doesn't.

Lost in translation:  the series.