Yes, April, shame on you for not considering the feelings of fans of The Big Lebowski.
I said that jokingly, but considering there actually is a religion called Dudeism, I think they would take issue with the idea that the word is always front-loaded with insult.  Which was my point.  Her friends take issue with the word, ok fine, but not everyone does.  I don't, my friends don't, and a couple thousand Dudeists don't either.   Also most surfer types and hippies would take issue with that blanket statement too.