Communication tends to be more indirect than direct—conversations might include inquiries about family members, health, or other matters seemingly unrelated to the purpose of the communication (such inquiries are necessary for assessing choice of language to be used and degree of familiarity with which certain topics can be discussed) (Stewart & Bennett, 1991).
Nonverbal, more than verbal, communication (body language, gestures, touch, facial expression, eye contact) is used.