Literally translated, the term means "stomach art", and it refers to an exchange of thoughts and feelings that is implied in conversation, rather than explicitly stated.
[3] Takie Lebra identified four dimensions of Japanese silence – truthfulness, social discretion, embarrassment and defiance.
[4] In Western literature, the essence of the difference between just talking and really communicating through silence is analyzed in Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter.
[5] In negotiation, haragei is characterised by euphemisms, vague and indirect statements, prolonged silences and careful avoidance of any comment that might cause offense.
Haragei also functions as a method of leadership, replacing direct orders to subordinates with subtle, non-verbal signals.