I didn’t mean to offend you, but if you are from such a background you must be aware calling anyone “dear” is not a nice thing. “Dear” is a term of endearment. Calling a stranger this is not at all polite. It’s actually patronising. Why would you want to second guess whether this stranger will feel offended by the term “dear” or not from a random stranger and call them that???? Please leave “Dear” for people with whom you have a loving relationship.
That’s what I am trying to explain. Tina felt offended and I get it coz I feel offended when some random person calls me “dear”. I love hearing it from my family and friends.., but not at all from anyone who I dislike. So Tina was right in getting irritated.