STOP calling people "a Karen"

[PaperwhiteTheFriendlyGhost]

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.

And still no fans of the use of Karen as a slur have justified why this lazinesss (why are you so scared to address this individuals actual behaviour?) and sheep like behaviour is ok when it actually impacts on real people called Karen and makes their day to day difficult?

It’s awful and intended to make women of a certain feel like they can’t complain or speak up against anything they don’t agree with. It feels like you become invisible when you get older and aren’t allowed to have an opinion.

Yes, that's absolutely the intention.

@Icanhearabee @KateDelRick @tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz it absolutely is that they want us middle aged women to wheesht. Well we won't . Why should we?

I'm sick of hearing that it's to do with racism, that may be true in the US, it's not got the same meaning here.

Exactly this. Why should UK women suffer for a meme about something happening across the pond and used by 20 something incels as a way to feel superior ?

As far as I can see the “behaviour is being called out” because usually women are standing up for themselves or making a legitimate complaint. Such terrible shocking unbecoming behaviour and yes we do deserve to be called out for this utter cheek.

I couldn’t agree more, though that isn’t to say that there aren’t middle-aged women who do treat staff badly. But there are also very legitimate reasons why a customer would want to call for the manager.

For me, the real point is that the same standards aren’t being applied to men. Surely no one is suggesting that men don’t also complain and ask to see the manager?

No they aren’t no matter how much gaslighting people do on these threads about “Men are called XYZ”.

And yes I’m going to say something if I’m brought the wrong food in a restaurant. No I don’t expect to be called a Karen and I certainly won’t sit there simpering and apologising (or even worse saying nothing and eating something I haven’t ordered) for wanting the correct food I’ve paid money for. Ditto if any service I’ve paid for isn’t delivered properly

I’d also like them to explain how using this slur has helped anyone - have rates of racism declined? Are people safer? Are more people convicted of racial hate crimes?

My understanding is that this isn’t the case and in fact there has been a rise in racism, depending on the “category” of racism (such as Islamophobia and anti-semitism).

And to these people: What do you achieve calling someone a Karen? Except for congratulating yourself on being oh so witty at the expense of women everywhere?

I was piled on when I posted a query on our village FB page about an apparently abandoned large vehicle taking up 4 spaces in our village car park (parking is at a premium in our village and residents are entitled to park in the car park under their residents permits). Some of the comments were so appalling and upsetting about my name and profile picture - 'typical Karen she looks a snotty bitch' was a mild comment, they got progressively worse - that I got really upset and my DH was so furious, I had to ask for the post to be taken down in the end.

Interestingly a male villager posted the same query a few days later as the vehicle still hadn't moved, and the comments were nowhere near as bad.

@NeedWineNow that tells you everything about those people.

Saw an advert last night, think it was paddy power? Couple holding a newborn baby, looking at her adoringly, pretty sure they said
'Let's call her Karen'.....
(Wrinkle of nose)
'Let's not.....'
(Laughing)
😕

Noooooo! That's awful!

I hate it too. Misogynistic and ageist crap.

It is not a slur omg people need to chill. They also have it for men. It is Daren!
As a nearly 40 year old woman I am not offended because I dont behave that way.
It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes.

@MixedBananas it is absolutely a slur and no , 'Darren' is not a thing. You know that really. This is just aimed at older women, at 40 you probably didn't grow up with people named Karen, same age as you. I am 60 and there were loads of Karens at school. Just as likely to be nice people or not as anyone else.Just an ordinary name.

Imagine if you had an older sister or even your mum or auntie named Karen, and how upsetting it would be for them to have their perfectly normal name turned into a nasty joke. Why can't you see that?

It is just used against any older woman who speaks up about anything.

As you enter middle age you will find it's you next. They might change the name used to get at older women to Emma, Laura, Natasha, Jessica or whatever your name is. How will you feel then?

So as someone with a friend called Karen who has the piss taken out of her bow because of her name, by adults, you think if she or I get angry about this, then it’s our problem?

Perhaps try considering the reasons why so many of us have an issue with this name used this way.

No they don’t, Darren isn’t a thing

nor all the other male names people have mentioned…I have even seen men called Karen, its not an equal thing at all

@MixedBananas so you've never sent food back because it was cold or not what you ordered? Never asked to speak to someone who has the seniority to make a call on your refund for a broken item? Never refused to do something that was way outside of your job spec for no return? Never asked someone to turn their music down or move from your booked seat? All can be done as politely, quietly and courteously as you could imagine but will result in an older woman being called a Karen, to deflect and dismiss the issue.

100% this

1)It most definitely is a slur
2)Even if there is a 'Daren' it doesn't make it right
3)it doesn't matter if you aren't offended, it probably isn't affecting you personally, and no one wants their name to be associated with racism, bullying, being difficult etc through no fault of their own

'It seems those offended are those that fit the shoes'
Unbelievable...

You really don't get it