Why do English people not say things upfront on the face?

I notice that when there is a problem in something, english people seem to not say it face-to-face upfront, instead try indirect clues. But if that doesnt work, after a long put-up they say it. If they had said it upfront, there woulndt have been a problem in the first place. From people from other cultures, they feel they have caused themselves embarment, when they are either finally told or rudely acted upon.