I'll have to go with the open with tact. I love Petes wifes take on how to tell someone to go to hell...

Put it out there and quit dancing around the bush. Too many people try to be diplomatic and mush up everything. Let folks know what your thinking,where you stand, and how you feel about what's bothering you.

It depends on whether your goal is to be HEARD or "listened to", there is a difference.

In some matters, strident assertiveness is appropriate but if you are hoping to sway anyone it is better to take their sensitivities into account before you engage.

When the debate turns to battle Goldwater had a great quote..."in the defense of liberty extremism is no vice".

Depends on the conversation, the person and what is at stake.

agreed! Situational too! The buzz phrase "politically correct" has limited usefulness as it gets applied to so many situations that the correctness of application is questionable most of the time. Open, transparent, and saying what you want may be an excuse to simply be rude or express an opinion where one is not needed, required, or helpful. So I think Nick's diplomatically transparent is best!

I believe it best to be honest and tell the truth, even though it can be brutal at times. Diplomacy can often be a doctored up lie and our brains aren't programmed to remember lies of any kind. The term " politically correct" ought to be trash-canned.