[DoreenMichele]

Perhaps it's a result from our long history as traders

That was my thought as well. Trade languages are always intentionally simplified and essentially impossible to use for dropping indirect hints. I believe this is very much a feature, not a bug. It substantially reduces opportunities for cross cultural misunderstandings and faux pas.

Apropos of nothing, I really liked the Dutch proverb in the article "Just be normal. That's crazy enough."