I don't know if this will help, but being an extremely direct person myself, I try to put myself in the other persons shoes and try to say what I need to say in the manner I imagine they would say it to me.

And when all else fails, I write it down. If you can't resolve a situation with a person face to face for confrontation fears, or just not being able to get through to the other person, I find it's a lot easier for people to understand what I am trying to say if they have it in black and white. Also, this gives me a chance to "edit" exactly what I do say. (I can have a wicked acid tongue at times!).

Be confindent that your opinions and feelings MATTER!

wounded1