Hot buttons

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a topic or issue that is highly charged emotionally or politically is called a hot button.

Stop for a moment and think about what really upsets you. We all have a hot button.

I know the hot button for most of my friends, and they are topics we avoid in conversation because they are ongoing dilemmas that are not solved at the coffee shop. Most are specific triggers or issues that provoke strong feelings that can lead to heated discussions or conflicts.

Hot buttons can also involve generalizations or experiences, values or beliefs that might include religion,...