in Japan and everyone wears North Face and Canada Goose in Winter. Tokyo is kind of a consumerist hellhole. if you point it out, they become angry. Reminds me of a story my  professor told me about an American businessman working in Egypt. He became really good friends with a coworker and they made plans to start their own business together with him managing operations in the US and the friend managing operations in Egypt. Right before he was set to return to the US, his friend invited him to his house for dinner - a great honor for a foreigner. They had a wonderful evening, and when he left he said "thanks for the wonderful food". But when he got back to the US, the friend ghosted him. He wouldn't answer his calls or emails. It turned out that by complimenting the food, instead of the man's family, he had insulted the man. Their friendship, and their business plans, were over. 

It's hard for those of us living in dignity-centric cultures that value forthrightness to understand honor-centric cultures that value etiquette. And it can create huge misunderstandings.  a cultural thing, in Sweden it is extremely rude to ask how someone is doing financially, what they made on a monthly or yearly basis, or what they spend their money on. 
There are other things that we don't understand why you take offense to that we see as natural to talk about and explore. You can not change your culture.
In most of east Asia you watch unnecessary spending, it is very common to see people that would rather walk 2 kilometers home than take the buss for a dollar or less, at the same time they own a luxury car.
But remember, to  them/us it's crazy to spend 5 dollars on a cup of coffee, you can make it at home for 4 cents, spending 5 dollars to have someone make it for you is insane to us.
Another thing we can't comprehend is car loans, a car is something you buy here, not something you borrow money to buy. You'll be commuting to work, taking the bicycle or walking until you have enough to buy a car. Food and transport are money that “disappears”. You burn it in transport and it just turns to poo when u spend too much on food. I’m not crazy’s about luxury brands but I’d rather save like crazy to buy THINGS. The item is in your hand, you can use it, treasure it for a long time, she can feel cute in it, it’ll lift up her status, etc. by her actions and buying prada u can tell she’s probably not well off, but still want to appear well off. So your question struck a chord so she was offended.  call them, ‘cultural land mines.’ You don’t know they’re there, and when you step on them, they explode. I also learned that I will only date Australian’s from now on. I understand Australian values and blend with them much better. , that sounds extreme even for East Asians. Not unbelievable, just that even a couple Japanese I know say this kind of reaction is a bit too much.

When it comes to cultural landmines though, some individuals react very strongly to them, and some less so. It's like in the US if I asked a friend about her sexual/marital or dating history in a way that can be interpreted as too accusatory. Some get extremely offended, others don't.

I'm pretty emotionally blunted myself, so Im open to talking about anything, but I know that a lot of others could easily shut me off. "Why are you asking me that? Are you deliberately trying to shame me? Whom I date or choose to have kids with is none of your business." You could have benevolent intentions and real concern, but it could be interpreted as shaming and could be a culturally or individually sensitive matter.

Chinese, for example, are very open to talking about and even criticizing your personal decisions around health (especially your weight), your partners, etc. That can offend a lot of Westerners. Even things that sound like they are personal/individual level can often be culturally influenced.

Personally, I'd never rudely cut off a friend like that, regardless if they were saying something that would imply that I'm fat, unhealthy, poor, promiscuous, etc. Generally, friends I know are sincerely concerned, and I give them the benefit of the doubt.