When Samantha meets an old man and he calls her "dear," she is offended and upset because of her conviction that such terms are patronizing to women when used by strangers. She is responding to

Question

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Samantha's reaction to being called "dear" suggests that it is a trigger word for her, meaning a word that elicits a strong emotional response due to past experiences or beliefs. She has a conviction that such terms are patronizing to women when used by strangers, and her reaction to being called "dear" reflects this belief.

When Samantha Meets an Old Man and He Calls Her