Many, if not most women are conflict averse. Expecting direct communication from a woman is a double edged sword. On the one hand direct communication, eg. "I'm upset because...", "I'm angry because..." even "I'm turned on...." is more transparent, but it also exposes a woman to consequences for her directness.
A woman, if she is reasonably intelligent, must always consider how the man (and his precious ego) will react, and a woman must also consider her safety. Girls are raised from toddler age to pay careful attention to safety if they are being raised properly.
Lots of men react poorly to direct communication if the woman expresses disappointment, anger, contempt, sadness or hurt regarding his behavior. Its as though many men can only handle ego stroking and positive feedback.
But that's not reality now is it.
Further, some men react with anger or violence. Very few men are open to hearing criticism or feedback that is not positive, especially from a woman.
So women as a general rule, learn to communicate covertly.
The other reason for subtle communication is plausible deniability, but not to excuse her behavior so much as to evaluate his reaction (and assess her safety)
Men rarely, I mean RARELY grasp this. I worry, for example, about walking alone to my car at night; I worry about my daughters walking alone to their cars after work (and I have taught them, to the best of my ability, to be very aware of their surroundings and the people around them at ALL times).
Sound ridiculous? Y'all are men.
When is the last time a male hiker was abducted and later found raped & murdered? Little girls are snatched far more often than little boys. Should a woman fight a dangerous man or hide from him? All these things tie into communication style. Literally and figuratively.
It is subconsciously rooted in safety concerns and this is something men have a tough time understanding. It's like expecting a woman to understand what a hard on feels like. We cannot ever fully grasp that: we don't possess that anatomy.
I am unusually direct for a woman. And I catch both positive and negative consequences for it, both socially and in relationship. But if I don't know a particular man? I am very cautious. Even with men I know well, I try to be diplomatic. There is a reason for the saying "Don't shoot the messenger...."
Food for thought.