-When Fitzgerald mentions people who are "face to face", it seems to be the last time that we see those two together.  One example is on pg. 41 when Tom and Myrtle are arguing "face to face" about Daisy's name and then Tom breaks her nose.  That's the last time we see Tom and Myrtle "face to face" together.  On pg. 189, the phrase "face to face for the last time in history" sums up this scenario nicely.

     "Face to face" is a courageous way to talk to someone.  It takes a lot of courage to go and tell someone that they can or can't do something or to give them a compliment.  Nick has given Gatsby a compliment on page 162.  He says, "They're a rotten crowd, you're worth the whole damn bunch put together."  Earlier in the story, Nick couldn't stand Gatsby and almost broke off their friendship, but instead he keeps quiet and later on gives Gatsby a well-deserved compliment.  And Nick even admits that he disapproved of Gatsby from beginning to end, but that he was happy he gave that compliment. 

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