Can't stand people referring to others as a 'Karen'

[shesellsseashells99]

I'm fed up with seeing it, I really have. it's gone way too far now. I have a friend who is ashamed of her name and won't post on any public forum because of the stick she gets. Constantly seeing stupid memes.

You may think I'm being too serious but I think it's so derogatory to people who have that name.

That is, how is using a first name as an insult (not the person's actual name in most cases) an accurate way to describe their behaviour?

@Sameolesame

White middle class women complaining about the use of Karen is so Karen. They care more about some white women being called Karen than the abhorrent behaviour of Karens. They even say the use of Karen to describe a particular whites woman who behaves in a despicable way is a slur. A slur? A slur because the despicable behaviour is actually okay because she is simply exercising her privilege and how dare anyone say anything against her? What is this slur?

The sensitivity over this is extremely interesting and proves the point.

If you don't like a middle aged woman's behaviour (I think her class and skin colour should be irrelevant - either the behaviour is acceptable or it isn't - it doesn't become ok because you're black and entitled because you are white - or indeed vice versa) then criticise the behaviour. Calling someone a "karen" is just lazy. If someone is racist, they are racist, not a "karen". If someone is rude to customer service staff, they are rude, not a "karen".

And yes I am sensitive because I could have easily been called Karen being female and in my later 40s and it must be very offensive to have your name bandied around as a sexist and ageist insult.

In my experience of waitressing and being a shop assistant as a teen it wasn’t the older women that were unpleasant it was the men

Many Karens here.

@Sameolesame

Many Karens here.

I take that to mean people who resist sexist, misogynistic insults and obstruct claims on a name that belongs to thousands of perfectly pleasant and decent women of a certain age, so I guess you're right

@HmmSureJan you are free to take it to mean what you wish. That’s genuinely fine. I used it in terms of the usage that’s gaining popularity

I can see why it’s gaining popularity.

YANBU

[quote SheepandCow]YANBU to dislike ageism and misogyny.
It's also nasty to use a personal name as an insult - and it's especially inappropriate for use as a slur, given its also the name of an oppressed ethnic group - the Karen people.

worldrelieffortworth.org/burma-myanmar-karen-cultural-profile[/quote]
This is what I always think of when I hear people use the name Karen in this way.

[quote Sameolesame]@HmmSureJan you are free to take it to mean what you wish. That’s genuinely fine. I used it in terms of the usage that’s gaining popularity

I can see why it’s gaining popularity. [/quote]
ODFU

If it was your name I bet you wouldn’t use it in that way.
The next generation could easily pick your name. I hope they don’t, because I’m not a cunt.

[quote Sameolesame]@HmmSureJan you are free to take it to mean what you wish. That’s genuinely fine. I used it in terms of the usage that’s gaining popularity

I can see why it’s gaining popularity. [/quote]
I suppose if you're totally fine with being a misogynist and using tired, catchphrase type insults to do so then I guess there's not much more anyone can say 🤷🏼‍♀️

I hate the way people comment online saying "Such a Karen" or whatever, as though they're so hilariously witty to have thought of it.

I expressed my feelings elsewhere and someone responded that I've obviously never worked in customer service 🙄

@Sameolesame That's, what, the 87th time you've made that stupid comment now? You're making an idiot of yourself. Unless you want to change every instance of Karen to be your name instead.

Yanbu. its pure misogyny

@kness, why are you so angry? You can always do a Karen and complain to Mumsnet, if you haven’t already done so.

Fight the misogyny fight but this Karen business is way down on the scale of importance and quite frankly I think it is a good one.

Are you going to get angry and fight with everyone who does not see it as a slur? You don’t like it? Fine! You think it is stupid? Fine! I don’t. Get over it.

Oh and enjoy the monopoly on deciding who is and what is misogyny.

Yep, the attitude here really fits that name beginning with K.

I’m out of here before I am attacked .

Let’s just all get along.

its sexist. hate it.

Oh and enjoy the monopoly on deciding who is and what is misogyny.

The irony!

Let’s just all get along

Bit rich coming from a bully

I have a friend called Karen and she is upset about it. She is lovely. She thinks it’s going to stop her getting jobs and is considering changing her name.

@Turtleturtle81

Oh and enjoy the monopoly on deciding who is and what is misogyny.

The irony!

Quite.

It is misogynistic. Especially the tendency of males to use it for any one who is complaining about anything (rightly OR wrongly).

Basically it is telling women to shut up.

stampsurprise
Oh and my Karen claims that postmen never used to steal from the mail - it's only "the Asian ones" who do it now that they are "everywhere". 

Popshops Unless she's called Karen you are being a cunt.

That's right - as I explained already she IS called Karen and she is also my mother! It is hard work being the daughter of a real life Karen 😂

I’m out of here before I am attacked .

You're out of here because you can't form a decent argument on why this misogynistic insult has any worth and you know it.

Completely agree OP. It's misogynistic and upsets me greatly. If I see it used anywhere I complain. I just refuse to accept that this is an acceptable term.

God That’s the same trick my teens use 😁. “I’m being attacked” - too funny!

I calmly say something inoffensive but that they don’t like say “don’t stick your fingers in my cake” or “can you pick up your wet towels” and I get the exact response “sooo aggressive stop shouting so unfair”. 😁

I am cringing for you Same. My dd is 12. How old are you?!

It’s an insult but there are heaps of insults used in society. I haven’t heard it used, I think there is some oversensitivity here. It will die off, there are bigger issues in the world.