Germany
The German no is more the rule than the exception. However, its level of hardness is based on context. The no can range from hard to flexible. Identifying the barriers to the yes reveals that range.
United States
A no in the American context is more the exception than the rule. Americans pride themselves on being can-do, open, helpful, people. Americans feel uncomfortable saying the word no. They couch their no in affirmative, encouraging words.
