Re: Touchy Subjects…
DF & I are do not usually have an issue communicating. By now I know him well enough to know what is and isn’t a “touchy” subject for him.
If it’s something related to etiquette, I just blurt it out b/c I know he won’t take it personally. Things related to his weight, I approach it from a health/financial point. Example: Lets say he’s slacking off on going to gym…instead of addressing it from a “you’re fat” approach…I angle it from “we need to try to be healthy / if something happned to you I’d be devastated / we’re paying for the gym anyway so it a waste of $ if we don’t use it” etc. approach.
Things related to his parents or friends…I usually first try to hint around. I guess you can call it manipulation…lol. Instead of me trying to convince him that I am bothered by something or that I find something unacceptable…I do my best to convince him that HE is the one who’s bothered by it (or should be bothered by it). Its much easier for him to address issues relating to his family or friends when he’s convinved that he’s doing it b/c HE wants it. 
And yes, in drastic situations when this doesn’t work…I blurt it out…lol. Although thankfully in 2.5 years…I only needed to do this once with a friend of his.
Some people are good at taking hints…others are clueless that need a direct approach. And there are others who see “direct approach” as someone trying to tell them what to do…so this doesn’t work with them.
When it comes to dealing with a partner, I believe too many people allow their emotions to take control and focus too much on I. People generally approach issues in the way that would make them happy/comfortable. I think if more people actually came up with a stratagey, and took the time to learn the approach that works best for their spouse…relationships would be much smoother (of course this also takes patience and more “work”).