It’s not uncommon for a girl to call someone “dude”. This could be a sign of a friendly relationship, respect or admiration. It can also be a sign of informality or familiarity. But before you take any action, take a pause to contemplate just why she may have called you “dude”.
It’s possible that a girl may call you “dude” out of respect. She may see you as someone she admires or looks up to. She may see you as someone she can learn from, or someone whose opinion she values.
It’s possible that the girl is just trying to be friendly. She may view you as someone who could potentially be a friend or who she could potentially come to trust. She may be trying to create a rapport.
It’s possible that the girl is just trying to bond with you. She may be attempting to bridge the gap between you and her, to create a closeness that wasn’t there before. This could be an indication that she values your opinion.
It’s possible that the girl is just being informal with you. She may be embracing a more casual social role in the conversation, and calling you “dude” is just her way of being comfortable. It may not be indicative of anything else.
It’s possible that the girl is just trying to show that she cares about you. She may be trying to express her gratitude or appreciation for you. She may be trying to show that she values your input and presence.
The best way to respond when a girl calls you “dude” depends on the context and the relationship between you and her. If she is trying to show respect, then simply respond with a “thank you”. If she is trying to be friendly or bond with you, then try responding with humor, light-heartedness and/or sincerity. If she is just being informal, then you can respond in kind. And if she is trying to show that she cares about you, then you can respond with appreciation and acknowledgment.
It can be confusing at times to try to understand why a girl may call you “dude”. But by taking the time to consider the context and assess the relationship, you can figure out why and respond accordingly. It might be out of respect, to create a friendly atmosphere, to bond, to be informal or to show that she cares. However it should be approached, it is important to take time to read the situation and respond reliably and with the appropriate expressions.