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Original poster

STOP calling people "a Karen"

385 replies

PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost · 24/03/2025 07:50

Why are people so lazy and ignorant? Ironically they use it in some instances to berate someone for a perceived insult. Maybe this should be on Pedants' Corner, I don't know.

OP posts:
TheGoogleMum · 25/03/2025 09:46

I hate the use of Karen as an insult too.
I think it's rarely used on racists just for women daring to speak their mind. Even if it was being only used on racists it's not fair on women called Karen to have their name turned into a slur. I agree it's just another way to silence women!

WinterBones · 25/03/2025 09:41

the only time i've ever actually used it was when i was parked in a disabled bay and a lady of a certain age came over and started telling me i couldn't park there as her elderly mother needed the space and i clearly wasn't disabled and asking if my badge was really my badge and demanding to see it, and then threatening to report me to the shop for illegal parking and abuse of a badge.

that kind of behaviour absolutely warrants its use and i really don't care what anyone thinks about me saying it to her.

HRTQueen · 25/03/2025 09:30

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 25/03/2025 09:27

You know very well that its usage in the UK today is not to call out racist behaviour, but to tell women with valid opinions to shut up.

Show quote history

Really that's strange as I know a number of people that use it to name a particular type of racist behaviour

I have not said it is not used otherwise

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 25/03/2025 09:27

HRTQueen · 25/03/2025 09:21

Then they can complain about it and call it out (if they want to).

But telling someone who is having to deal with a particular type of racist behaviour that they do not have to deal with what words they can or can not use or tell them how to deal with is really not on. Its 2025

Show quote history

You know very well that its usage in the UK today is not to call out racist behaviour, but to tell women with valid opinions to shut up.

PinkCandles · 25/03/2025 09:25

SailorSerena · 25/03/2025 07:20

It must be a generational thing. I've never seen anyone complain about it anywhere other than Mumsnet.

No one in my generation is called Karen and we all grew up with interest memes which is where this came from.

Because anyone who complained about it elsewhere would be shouted down and silenced by misogynists. Thankfully there's one place women are allowed an opinion.

TheaBrandt1 · 25/03/2025 09:24

How dramatic are you?! If you don’t shout at teenage waitresses and huff “I could have made this at home cheaper” you’re good!

Strawberryjammam · 25/03/2025 09:23

Reclaim it. Next time someone uses it in a negative way go full Karen on them and make it clear it's not acceptable.

KimberleyClark · 25/03/2025 09:21

TheaBrandt1 · 25/03/2025 07:44

And dd a teen waitress in a coffee shop anecdotally the worst / difficult customers are 60-70 couples led by the man.

“Mum age” ie women 40/50s are the nicest. Though have complex coffee orders which is annoying.

Nice to know that DH and I, 70 something and 60 something respectively, are expected to cause trouble every time we go out for a coffee.

ThePoshUns · 25/03/2025 09:21

TheJollyMoose · 25/03/2025 07:48

STOP telling people what to do.

STOP trying to control people’s language.

HTH.

Right back at you. 🙄

HRTQueen · 25/03/2025 09:21

TickingAlongNicely · 25/03/2025 09:17

If it was only used for calling out vile behaviour,you would have a point.

But the vast majority of women who are called this have done nothing wrong. Which is what people are complaining about.

Show quote history

Then they can complain about it and call it out (if they want to).

But telling someone who is having to deal with a particular type of racist behaviour that they do not have to deal with what words they can or can not use or tell them how to deal with is really not on. Its 2025

TickingAlongNicely · 25/03/2025 09:17

HRTQueen · 25/03/2025 09:13

I don't feel its my place to tell someone to not to call someone a Karen when they have been on the end of a particular form of racist behaviour

It says quite a lot about a person who is not having to deal with racism and feels its their right to tell someone who has had to deal with this particular type of racist behaviour what words they can and can not use

Of course I understand if you name is Karen why it is upsetting, its unfortunate for them (if they are bothered not all are)

If it was only used for calling out vile behaviour,you would have a point.

But the vast majority of women who are called this have done nothing wrong. Which is what people are complaining about.

HRTQueen · 25/03/2025 09:13

I don't feel its my place to tell someone to not to call someone a Karen when they have been on the end of a particular form of racist behaviour

It says quite a lot about a person who is not having to deal with racism and feels its their right to tell someone who has had to deal with this particular type of racist behaviour what words they can and can not use

Of course I understand if you name is Karen why it is upsetting, its unfortunate for them (if they are bothered not all are)

RevolutionaryMode · 25/03/2025 08:56

TheaBrandt1 · 25/03/2025 07:41

Yeah just you wait. They will come for the Eves and Isobel’s next as you get older and less perky.

This is true in my experience.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 25/03/2025 08:54

TheJollyMoose · 25/03/2025 07:48

STOP telling people what to do.

STOP trying to control people’s language.

HTH.

Oh, the irony.

Original poster
PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost · 25/03/2025 08:35

TheJollyMoose · 25/03/2025 07:48

STOP telling people what to do.

STOP trying to control people’s language.

HTH.

Grow up. Hope that helps you understand how offensive this term is, and how offensive people who enable it are.

OP posts:
LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 25/03/2025 08:09

inadequatepillow · 25/03/2025 07:57

I understand people who are called Karen having their name turned into an insult being upset. I don’t understand the rage over its actual use. If you were called a Karen, you should probably be thinking about what you were doing to warrant being called that rather than being offended by the term itself. Ironically, this hypothetical scenario would be quite typical of the stereotype…

Give me strength! 🙄

bangs head against a brick wall 😖

inadequatepillow · 25/03/2025 07:57

I understand people who are called Karen having their name turned into an insult being upset. I don’t understand the rage over its actual use. If you were called a Karen, you should probably be thinking about what you were doing to warrant being called that rather than being offended by the term itself. Ironically, this hypothetical scenario would be quite typical of the stereotype…

BonnieBug · 25/03/2025 07:50

EddyF · 25/03/2025 02:36

Mumsnet hates this Karen business. I think for most, they see themselves (especially age) and it causes them this anger that a name has been put for a lot of behaviour they display. Anyway, it was hijacked from the US. Red faced women calling the police every time they saw Black/Brown people having fun/minding their business.

Lots of names are stereotypical. Why should this one stand out?

Yuck just yuck.
Where to start....I'm guessing you're the type who calls white folks "gammon" too huh?
Ask yourself if you'd be comfortable with non white women being called "Laquishuas" and go from there.
The hypocrisy is staggering.
Racist.

TheJollyMoose · 25/03/2025 07:48

STOP telling people what to do.

STOP trying to control people’s language.

HTH.

Runnersandtoms · 25/03/2025 07:48

My issue with it, apart from it's hijacked a name which belongs to people and turned it into an insult, is the idea behind it.

The idea that we should put up with shit customer service rather than complain. I would never be rude or abusive to someone working in customer service no matter whst. But if a company or its representative have done something wrong then I am justified as a paying customer in complaining. It drives be mad that my teens are so worried about being seen as a 'Karen' that they would put up with anything rather than complain. Eg my vegetarian daughter was brought the chicken version of the dish she ordered and was really embarrassed when I politely pointed out the mistake to the waiter and asked them to bring the right dish.

Ironfloor269 · 25/03/2025 07:47

MixedBananas · 24/03/2025 07:55

Nope. Its use is fine as they use Daren for men who are the "let me speak to your Manager type" paychos as well. I seen more Karens UN the wild then Darens , personally.

As a Woman it doesn't bother me because I don't rage in public at service workers or random citizens.

OMG I know an actual Darren who is exactly like this.

TheaBrandt1 · 25/03/2025 07:44

And dd a teen waitress in a coffee shop anecdotally the worst / difficult customers are 60-70 couples led by the man.

“Mum age” ie women 40/50s are the nicest. Though have complex coffee orders which is annoying.

BonnieBug · 25/03/2025 07:44

JHound · 25/03/2025 07:28

Depends on how it is being used. In the stupid way it has been hijacked by stupid people - I roll my eyes and criticise it.

In the original sense I have no issue with.

I only really see the misogynistic sense online. In real life I mainly heard it used as it was coined to call out certain gendered expressions of racism.

(I also find it bemusing which names are viewed as to be protected from ridicule and which are not….)

Edited

Reading that made my brain hurt.
I think you're trying to say it's fine to use "karen" as a way to insult white women though....?
Vile and racist . Ask yourself if you'd be fine with calling women "Laquishas" and go from there.

TheaBrandt1 · 25/03/2025 07:41

Yeah just you wait. They will come for the Eves and Isobel’s next as you get older and less perky.

BonnieBug · 25/03/2025 07:40

MixedBananas · 24/03/2025 07:55

Nope. Its use is fine as they use Daren for men who are the "let me speak to your Manager type" paychos as well. I seen more Karens UN the wild then Darens , personally.

As a Woman it doesn't bother me because I don't rage in public at service workers or random citizens.

Don't you have empathy for all of the women who's name has been stolen and made into a slur?