I don't know if this is a Semitic thing, but on the contrary, the term "woman" if understood in an Arabic setting is completely different from Western understanding. In Arabic, sometimes I say to my mother (and to my grandmothers, God rest their souls) "ya sittie" which can translate "Oh woman," but it's a sign of affection and close relationship, not rudeness. It's like saying "ya habibi", i.e. "oh love." Sometimes we even say things like "ya sitt el habayib," i.e. "oh woman of the beloved," or "ya sitt el qul," i.e. "oh woman of all." It's an honorific term more than anything. Christ to me here shows His mother honor and love, not rudeness. It's Western equivalent if anything should be, "Dearest" or maybe even "Lady," as many Catholic traditions honor her as "Our Lady of..."
And there is an affectionate way of saying, "What does your concern have to do with me?" Haven't you ever had a mini-discussion with your mother like this, "Dearest Lady, why do I need to do this?"
You know, in Arabic culture, as a sign of condolence to a family who lost a loved one, we say, literally, "The rest in your life" (el baqya fi hayatak). It's an odd expression in Western ears, might even be rude if taken the wrong way, but in Arabic it's normal and compassionate to say something like that. It's sad that a passage like this in English concerning the Holy Theotokos caused many Protestants to be so dishonoring to her, when in fact, it never was the case.
