&quot;Dude&quot; is used when the man has not made an attempt to signal to others that he is different from everybody else by altering his appearance or habits.<p>For instance, if a man tells his barber <i>&quot;just a regular cut&quot;</i>, he may be described as a &quot;dude&quot;.  On the other hand, if he shaves his hair into a mohawk and dyes it hot-pink, he loses his dudehood and becomes an individual.<p>Whenever you hear somebody use the word &quot;dude&quot; in a tone that makes it sound disparaging, what they are basically telling you is <i>&quot;I am bothered by my perception that this man conforms.&quot;</i>