Is it disrespectful to call your parent (s) "Dude"?

Question

I know some parents use it towards their kids as somewhat of a term of endearment, but could kids get away with using it towards their own parent (s)? Would you get upset if your kid called you "Dude"?

DaveJord · Accepted Answer

Okay, okay... look. I am true California born and raised cali-kid. Dude is just an expletive being just in its adjective form, as DUDE (word or phrase) serving to fill out a sentence or line of verse.

Noting disrespectful about it... I guess by dictionary definition it means a "Man" or fancy dressed man. So, I understand how women might not like it, but again when its used adjectively it's just an expletive being used in its adjective form.

You could say: Goat, look at that! You would prefer Dude, look at that, right? You can make expletives out of anything... like What the Duck, Dude!

In that example Duck is the expletive, so Dude is being used as a noun/subject, meaning fancy dressed man. So, in that form mom could not like it.

NYCQuestions1976 · Accepted Answer

My Father and I used to watch Letterman together on Friday nights and during the summers when I was high school age. Letterman used to have "Zippy The Late Night Chimp" as one of the show's running gags. It was a small monkey with a tiny camera on his head and he'd run around the studio and they'd show the footage from the "Zippy Cam". The first time I saw that, I laughed and pointed at my Father (beating him to the draw) and declared, "That could be you!" After that, my Father was "Zip" or "Zippy", unless we were in a moment of seriousness.

Cynicaldreamer · Accepted Answer

My mom would smack me in the mouth if I called her anything other than: mom, mama, or ma'am.

I can only call her by her first name when addressing her to other adults or introducing her to someone. Same protocol with my dad- though I doubt he'd smack me; more like give me a look and tell me REAL quick not to call him that (and that's all it takes).

I was raised very old school- the only people I call "dude" are close guy friends, or when someone says or does something stupid that warrants me addressing you as such.

So yeah, definitely disrespectful- at least for those of us raised with good manners.

catarecute · Accepted Answer

if their children is calling them dude it means he doesn't feel close emotionally to them and sees them almost as complete strangers. i would say parents shouldn't raise their kids like complete strangers. if they are workaholics, distant, never at home or send their kids to boarding school to get ride of them they dont be surprised if the kid sees them as strangers

molonski2 · Answer

OMG , why would anyone possibly use that term? Incredibly disrespectful , and to a parent that you are supposed to care about? No way , I would never accept that.

Maybe acceptable in the wonderful US of A , but certainly not in my world.

Constatine · Answer

When i was young i had to address everybody older than 18 as sir or ma'am. That was the rule. Respect for the elders. I demand respect from my kids.. they don't call me sir... i don't want that... there is no need for that but they must be polite and speak with 2 words...

Yes daddy, yes ( name of girlfriend ) and thank you...

VIVANT · Answer

Some parents won’t care, some will find it endearing sone will be outraged—it depends. in my opinion, respect doesn’t come from a name, it’s how you treat someone. If you have built a respectful relationship with your kids any name they use will be done with care.

BCRanger10 · Answer

When a child is younger, they should only call their parents "mom" and "dad". When they're older, maybe around late teens, if it's an inside joke or other term of endearment, they can probably start using nicknames, but they should always remember who they are and what their place is.

Sonorous · Answer

Depends on how uptight the parents are tbh. I could say it to my mother even when I'm upset with her & she'd be okay with it.

PBandJ_Nerd · Answer

I'd say it is. It's always best to just say mom, dad, father, mother, mama, papa, etc. (whatever words you like to call your parents). They're you're parents not your friends, siblings, etc.

ɹǝʇʇɐɥpɐW · Answer

Depends on context, I think. In a situation where you're playfully bantering, fine. In a situation where the parent is being stern, then kid better stick to ma'am and sir.

LaFemmeFatale_1 · Answer

I have no idea why would I ever call my parents “Dude”, I call them “Ma” - which means short for dad and “De” which means short for mom.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Yeah, would be no issue, my late mom was cool, she let us stay home when the weather was bad or senior skip day.

DizzyDesii · Answer

Probably but i always called my parents man/dude/bra/etc depending on the mood i was in

Summeroflove · Answer

No. BUT…. It depends on your relationship with your parents. If they don’t like being called something then don’t.

MemeSupreme · Answer

would never say it to my mom and step-dad bc i'd fear their reaction. my dad tho doesn't give a shit lmao

LiamJHayden · Answer

Probably depends upon one's personality and the tone of voice, but to me it sounds off. I call my somewhat near in age friends "dude" but I would ever use the term with the older men I often play in chess.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Yes. And any parent that calls their child dude is an idiot.

The child must see their parent as the authority figure, calling your child dude will make your child see you as their friend and most likely won't be showing you respect or see you as authority figure.

TadCurious · Answer

Bella I voted that I think that would be disrespectful. It's sort of a slang term for just about any random person.

spartan55 · Answer

Yes @beebella 🐝 I would consider that disrespectful.

dolemite58 · Answer

if it’s in a joking way i don’t think it’s a big deal but if a kid said that like their parents are their friends i think it’s disrespectful. i use to call my parents by their names when i was mad at them instead of mom or dad.

Marklaw12 · Answer

Your parents should be mom and dad. You shouldn't even know neither of your parents names until you're going into University

Friendlybro79 · Answer

Depends on the relationship you have with your parents.

AnusNdaPainus · Answer

I’ll tell you like I used to tell Nicole ( my mom ) mother is a title that you earn

Iron_Man · Answer

Yes, it is unless you do it for a joke one time

DaBiggestBird · Answer

Hmm….. I don’t know, it’s weird. Like how male teachers get scrutinized when they call a student “baby girl” but no one cares or talks about female teachers calling students “sweetheart” or “darling”.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I never use that word except to make fun of you kids for using it CONSTANTLY!! Give it a fucking rest, already!!

Rheorg · Answer

My opinion is that if you call your mom bruh or dude it is completely disrespectful and by disrespecting your parent you dishonor God who gave your parents the authority over you.

Joker_ · Answer

depends on circumstances and the like

Paris13 · Answer

For Fun, hun. Just sometimes. xxoo

Daniela1982 · Answer

Dude! What kind of question is this? 🤣

Sour-rose · Answer

Cringe but not disrespectful

Nik1hil · Answer

It really depends on your parents

exitseven · Answer

I would never call my parents Dude

Andres77 · Answer

Parents should be called by their title.

Fuentes · Answer

Lol nah I don't

whirled_up_girl · Answer

I would think so.

rigmarole · Answer

Nope.

Sweetsurprize · Answer

Yes!

love_conquers_lust · Answer

Yes. What if it’s warranted disrespect?

Brady · Answer

I don't think it's disrespectful.

eagle1951 · Answer

like yes

Is it disrespectful to call your parent (s) "Dude"?

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What Girls & Guys Said

Yeah, would be no issue, my late mom was cool, she let us stay home when the weather was bad or senior skip day.