In indirect communication, also known as high-context communication, what’s not said is more important than what is said. Eastern philosophy emphasizes balance and harmony, and indirect communication minimizes conflict. So some Asian cultures prefer communicating in a “show, don’t tell” manner and value the ability to decode indirect messages.

In the film, repressing truth is indirect communication taken to an extreme. The family members show their love for Nai Nai by keeping mum about her condition.

Mio gave the example of a man asking a woman out on a date on Saturday. The woman could reject him by saying, “I would never go out with you.” Or she could say, “I think I’m busy on Saturday.”

The direct rejection sounds harsh and abrupt, which could make both people feel bad. The indirect answer, though ambiguous, does a better job of minimizing conflict, sparing the wooer’s feelings while making it easier for the person doing the rejecting. Both get to save face.

The notion of saving face — maintaining dignity and control over one’s emotions — is largely derived from collectivism, an Eastern concept that no person is an island; we are each part of a shared consciousness and represent a group.

“If you’re acting in a way that can embarrass you, in a Western society a parent might say you’re embarrassing yourself, but an Asian parent would say you’re embarrassing my family,” Mio said.