While breaking up with someone is never easy, anew study suggests that one should not beat around the bush when doing it.
Researchers looked at the best way to deliver bad news and found that most people prefer to a direct approach, rather than a build-up of small talk.
According to scientists, ‘we need to talk’ is often good enough to soften the blow, without adding too much buffer.
The research was carried out by the Bringham Young University in Utah and looked at the best ways to deliver bad news. They found that people valued a direct approach more than an overtly polite conversation.
According to the lead author of the study, Profesor Alan Manning, while an immediate 'I'm breaking up with you' might be too direct, 'we need to talk' buffer – might be adequate to give just a couple of seconds for the other person to process that bad news is coming.'
The study further found that when it came to receiving negative information about physical facts, most people want it straight up.
