Do you always say things directly or hint about them, sometimes cryptically?

do you mean, by parable, or illustration?

why do you want to know?

Maybe women do that more than men.. If she says, oh, look, there is a cafe, he might say oh yes, I can see that. But - she meant that she would like a cup of coffee. Perhaps not the best illustration.. Sometimes one can tell a story or experience from real life, and try to help someone understand what that person might learn from what happened. We can encourage others without directly saying what we mean, just by telling about someone who didn't give up but continued with their dream and in the end succeeded. I have at lead one of these stories in Experts Column, and should write more of that sort..

I sometimes hint them, when I want the others to find out exactly what I'd like, or when I think it would be a bit rude to tell them something upfront.