Using the word "dude" talking to girls.

[RandomAustralian]

I never use the word dude so I can't comment on that usage but a few years ago I met a women in her late 20's and called her mate and she got really really offended that i'd treat her as a male.

Still baffles me to this day.

Most of the women/girls I socialise with don't take offense to it at all, but we're all sportspeople so that may make a difference :P

[Furiex]

Ok i wont say dude anymore but bitch....deal?

[Kuniku]

i'm from the UK and generally roll with dude for guys, and babe for girls, unless i dont want to give them the wrong idea . . . lol

[Kisho]

Obviously the female gamer would start an argument over that
She is wrong, the word started off behind directed at males (surfers at that) and now it can be used for both genders
Moreso, she is british so that word doesn`t exist in the british isles, she is just complaining for the sake of it, like most girl gamers do

Hai, casual sexism!

'Dude' absolutely does exist over here. I use it myself. I never really get concerned with who I use it with: male or female, whatever. Language is language.

Saying 'she's just complaining like most girl gamers do' though... Yeeaahh, might want to re-evaluate that position.

[Gamdwelf]

to quote Kel, "He's a dude, she's a dude, we're all dudes."

[Tychus]

to quote Kel, "He's a dude, she's a dude, we're all dudes."

Gotta admit, if someone says "she's a dude", it has a very particular insinuation to me. :P

[Manbanana]

Here I use "dude" for both genders equally. Same applies with using "guys". I don't recall meeting anyone who has taken offense to the terms being used.

[Deleted]

Saying 'she's just complaining like most girl gamers do' though... Yeeaahh, might want to re-evaluate that position.

Yeah indeed, let me fix that;
* she's just complaining like most girls do

User infracted

[Deleted]

I call all girls "vacker" its some swedish word someone taught me

[Khanjin]

I call all girls "vacker" its some swedish word someone taught me

Haha. Yep, that's certainly complementary. I might use "beautiful" instead of "dude". ;D

[Elim Garak]

They knew!

[Deleted]

Obviously the female gamer would start an argument over that
She is wrong, the word started off behind directed at males (surfers at that) and now it can be used for both genders
Moreso, she is british so that word doesn`t exist in the british isles, she is just complaining for the sake of it, like most girl gamers do[COLOR="red"]

Obviously you're very ignorant towards Britain as the word is used a lot over here. Especially in the Emo, Scene, Metal and Hardcore music community. She may not like being referred to as a dude. While it is a term used to both males and females over here in Britain like other places, She may just not be used to people saying that word directly to her and associate it with a male. But considering how much i hear the word dude be used towards girls, she sounds like she either doesn't get out much or is in her 40s or above.

The British have a vast dialect. Just because we use words like Cobblers, Bunkum and Spiffing doesn't mean we don't know the word Dude

[Tychus]

The British have a vast dialect. Just because we use words like Cobblers, Bunkum and Spiffing doesn't mean we don't know the word Dude

By jove, my good man, would you care for a spot o' tea and a crumpet?

[Simulacrum]

Like 25% of the English language is taken directly from French. Just sayin. :P

That'd be like the entire french language!

(They have very few words.)

[Niku]

God, I hate when women make a big deal out of that.

[Deleted]

I say ladydude. I also say ladybro a lot. Haters gonna hate.

[GotMoxie]

As long as it's not pejorative, I don't care what people refer to me as or what gender they assume that I am.

[Simulacrum]

I say ladydude. I also say ladybro a lot. Haters gonna hate.

Ladybro? That's an amazing word. Oh, I'm using that.

[Very Tired]

It's like when you refer to a group of people "Hey you guys" even if everyone in that group is a female. The actual definition of a guy is a male but the context of society's social rules defines it as just a group of people. There is nothing offensive about it.

[Dendrek]

If you want to avoid offending anyone by using the word "dude," just substitute it for the word "lady" and you'll be fine. Just use it enough and it will become gender neutral too.






I look forward to the day when I can walk up to a group of guys, say "Hey ladies," and not get my ass kicked.