I've had to train myself to be "less direct".
I was way more so back then.
One of that pansy *** crew that was 10 years older than me (at least) said to some third parties that he was gonna 'kick my ***" for asking out the cute store clerk that worked across the road.
The next day I walked up to his face and just laughed.
Said nothing else, just laughed.
Funny, my wife is one of the most "direct" people I have ever met.
She is starting to al least attempt to tone down a bit depending on the company and situation.
