It's such a gray area, isn't it? :\

I think there's tons of variables. Perhaps the person themself could fear confrontation? Could be unclear internally as to their own thoughts and opinions about whatever it is. Sometimes it's an ingrained, albeit not so healthy coping mechanism? Who really knows?

Had a pdoc tell me straight up one session, "People Lie!" Ain't that the truth?

I mean why is one of the A-Non(alanon or even AA) mantras...'Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say'? It is a rather universal phenomenon.