According to deborah tannen, men are more likely to use indirectness when they

I believe the answer is:

express weakness

. reveal a problem.

admit an error

The indirectness could be done by showing in through non-verbal method. For example, people tend to snap and direct the conversation to attack their partner for their weakness in order to hide their own. such method tend to be really destructive for relationships, regardless it's the romantic one or not.