Many of the women I know care a lot about the opinion of condescending/judgmental guys, why is that?

For example, this great girl friend of mine is, for some reason, really upset each time her assh* guy friend talks harshly or criticize her when she does something he doesn't approve of. He's not her boyfriend but he still takes these liberties with people because he thinks he's the "adult one" in our group.

And while me or others just brush him off, my friend and other girls really care about his opinion or take it bad when he does this to them. I'm of the opinion she's actually really submissive inside and therefore wants to be treated like that (ie, told what to do, positive or negative), could that be the case?