Are we not allowed to complain since the birth of the term “Karen”

[Willitstopraining]

This is lighthearted. Maybe it’s just me but it seems now I can’t complain about anything without being labelled a “Karen” by my dc. Even when I have completely legitimate reasons. I don’t look for things that annoy but if I see kids eating a box of KFC outside in the street, and leaving loads of rubbish (including rat attracting chicken bones and skin) behind them, you better believe I’ll call them back and tell them to take it home with them, or dispose of it in one of the various bins in the area. If I go to a restaurant that’s pretty much empty and am not eating within 1hr 10 minutes ( a good 45 minutes after the starters were ordered) then I think it’s fine to remind staff we’ve been here a while. And if I pay to get my dc hair cut and it’s uneven surely I’m allowed to bring this to the hairdressers attention. I’m never cheeky to staff anywhere,I always tip hairdressers and wait staff regardless, and try to be as courteous as possible, and to their credit most agree if I point something out and the situation is quickly rectified. However we will no sooner be in the car than dc are saying things like “come on Karen, you’ve more people to tell off today”or “ I know a few pigeons that need taking down a peg or two” 😂. Surely if something is wrong I can say it.

Makes me feel like wearing a t shirt with KAREN emblazoned on it in massive letters.

The Reddit guy's ex was called Karen. It got carried over when the dog walk video went viral and now it's just the modern day equivalent of "harpy", "shrew", "harridan" etc etc.

Like most things from the US it's a pile of shite. Seriously what is the fucking point of that country, it's such a source of negativity in the world.

Thanks for the info, didn’t know about the Reddit guy.

"Karen" is just the modern version of "bitch", lots of delighted men out there thrilled they've got a substitute term.

It's just the latest iteration of silencing women. It's an American thing and should never have been adopted in the UK. When I was younger, I was too timid to be assertive and stand up for myself, but at the age of 58, I do and I'll be damned if I let myself be silenced because of ageism! I'm GLAD I've found my voice and have societal power now, I'm gonna use it.

And if anyone thinks this isn't misogynistic, the question is, is there ANY male name that is being used in the same way to shut them up? Answer, no there isnt!

@Willitstopraining, et al........
Like some other PPs, I personally know a few people with the name Karen.
Coincidentally, they are lovely people
If that was my name, I would try to rise above the way this name has been appropriated and not give it agency.
But I'm not sure I'd be able to be so pragmatic.
I do really feel angry on behalf of all the genuine Karens in the world.
The euphemism often used regarding males who complain about stuff is "gammon" - well, at least it's not someone's real name.
I equally hate the terms "boomer", and "snowflake"!
In my view, all these terms are lazy, and people who use them have jumped on the bandwagon of smugly thinking they're cool and smart, when in fact they are just the opposite.

No. You're not allowed to complain. The term "Karen" was coined to keep women of a certain age quiet. Usually at the point they stop lying down and taking everyone's shit

Exactly this. You should never "laugh along".

I've often thought about how I'd feel if this had happened with my name and while I like to think I'd be above it, the truth is I think I'd be very upset.

It would be horrible, wouldn't it? Your first name used as a slur.

I've asked this. Some people said Chad is the male equivalent, some said Ken. Interesting that there's no debate at all over Karen.

Personally I've never seen any obnoxious man called either of these things, nor have I ever seen a clickbait article gloating over an entitled Chad or Ken getting him comeuppance.

The thing is, I know very few people who are demanding and complaining about every little thing, even fewer who do so in public, and even fewer still who happen to also be middle aged women. You wonder how much of this really is a thing, and how much is just people's awful tendency to find demographics that are safe to pick on. So very sad... And a lovely name, btw!

I noticed in a movie recently that every character that was either a middle aged woman and/or a mum was portrayed in a negative way. Young and/or professional women were the opposite. You could predict how each character would be portrayed from the moment they appeared on screen. It was almost comical! When I was growing up, middle aged women were seen as kindly or wise, what happened?

This thread is very timely.

You're right, @DrSbaitso , because there is no male equivalent because men's voices are heard, they're not shut down. Chad or Ken really isn't the same.

All the people I've ever met called Karen have been lovely. I'd wear the label with pride!

My name is Karen and I'm fine, I still love the name my mother chose for me! I'm fucking furious about misogyny though. They use it to mean 'bitch' and it means all of us, all the many Sandras, Debbies, Sarahs and Traceys I was at school with. It could have been any of those names and it means 'ugly older woman who I can happily abuse without risking my inclusive credentials'.

Spot on, @MorrisZapp .

I'm always surprised at threads like this. I don't think I'm that strict, but my dc just wouldn't say anything like this to me. Im not sure if it's out of respect, or they are scared of me, but whatever, they just wouldn't 'dare'. It's about expectations I guess.

I hate the term 'Karen', along with 'woke', 'snowflake and that sort of thing. It's meaningless and derogatory, and generally used by one person to (attempt to) shut another person down.

..of course i meant 'snowflake'- seem to have lost some punctuation there....😬

...and of course I meant I and not i....😬

One of my grandmothers was a Karin.

It is about respect. Mine would never have done this either. So rude.

Perhaps you could ask your DC not to use my sister’s name as a lazy, ugly, misogynist, ageist slur.

It's a way to shut up women, especially older women, at all times. The term is fecking vile