The answer is react. Milady's emotional-control guidance states directly: learn to control your emotions, and try to respond rather than to react.
The book adds that this means not revealing negative emotions — anger, envy, or dislike — through gestures, facial expressions, or tone in front of clients. Understanding, disapproving, and listening are all separate professional behaviors, but the specific contrast the book draws is responding versus reacting.
Milady Standard Barbering, 6th ed., Ch. 3 (Professional Image), p. 48: "Emotional control. Learn to control your emotions. Try to respond rather than to react."
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