[smoldesu]

> What other purpose could such language have than to initiate a power play?

Well, let's put the ball back in your court: how would you rewrite that pizza party example to be less euphemistic and imprecise?

Frankly, the wording the guest used is direct and to-the-point. It's probably disarming/distressing to hear if you're the host, but it's not therapy speak. If someone tells you that you make them feel unsafe, you should probably resolve that. Responding with denial that you could have hurt someone's feelings is the dictionary definition of gaslighting.

[bitsinthesky]

I think better would be ignored and disrespected, or even more correct, that they felt the other gave them a mean look and acted rudely. Or, just acted like a jerk. Unsafe and unloved are incorrect and obfuscating.