We introduce a method to prove poor decay of certain cross-correlation functions which are closely related to the phase transition. The methods apply both to equal and nonequal times, which gives access to the dynamical regime. We establish a criterion which displays openly what happens when the Goldstone picture breaks down. Since no rudiments of translation invariance are needed the treatment covers phases in coexistence like, e.g., liquid-gas interfaces and completely inhomogeneous systems. Furthermore a perhaps surprising connection with the breaking of time reflection invariance of the equilibrium state is established.