Maeko managed to take that as a personal insult for reasons he didn't quite understand herself. Was it because he's used Kanaye as an example? It was probably because he's used Kanaye as an example and not at all because he'd, even for a few seconds, made her doubt her own thought processes. With western thinking. Stupid and weak. Expecting others to change around you.
"Yes." She said coolly, nodding. "Expecting people to change thier behaviour without giving them a reason to is stupid. You have to be stronger than them or outsmart them or be loyal to them or have something to offer. Otherwise nothing will change and you've just told them an easy way to cause you discomfort and given them something they could potentially use against you."