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.

It’s code for “bitch”. Not ok at all.

I imagine it’s only women having opinions that rankles.

I've seen men called Karen on some social media posts. Which shows the stupidity.

It doesn’t bother you because your name is not Karen

Fully agree, using names (male OR female) to signal ridiculous stereotypes makes me wince.

But it isn't just used for that. It's used for any woman over 25 who might ask people to stop behaving in an anti social way, or politely but assertively asking for decent customer service. No one is saying it's ok to verbally abuse waiters, call centre and reception staff (or anyone) but this insult is absolutely used to shut women up. It's the 21st century equivalent of the feeling that led to the witch trials.

I work in retail and don’t use the term myself, but I don’t see it as rude or a way to ‘shut women up’. It’s describing women who are rude and nasty to staff. Or should retail staff meekly put up with unpleasant behaviour?

You miss the point. Of course they shouldn't. But call them out without using a woman's name.

It's the 21st century equivalent of the feeling that led to the witch trials.

Oh please ….

The American videos are justified. A lot of racist white women faking tears and being hurt.

Me too! I only know this use of the name from Mumsnet. I have learnt that I would call it out though, if I do hear it irl.

It's misogynist, ageist shite. Any insult directed exclusively at older women is.

It's the fear and resentment of older women who aren't prepared to shut up and put up. I'm not really a raging feminist and often roll my eyes when people get in a huff about old fashioned courtesy but this pisses me off.

I've heard it on here all the time. There was an entire thread justifying it. Including some awful claims that older white women are racist. Just awful.

Thanks OP for starting this thread to challenge this. I'm heartily sick of it.

Also this thread will be hijacked shortly by people posting about the origins and saying that women who object the term being used mysoginistically are ignoring racism. Objecting the term being used in one way is not to deny it's origins or the reality of the way some people behave. It can be both.

A lot of the times when people talk about ‘shutting women up’ it’s usually because their behaviour has been called out and they don’t like it.

If you feel so personally attacked then maybe think about why someone has questioned your behaviour.

Obviously it’s not ok to insult someone but I understand why this term is used having seen the verbal abuse and derogatory way staff are treated.

I know several women actually called Karen of different ages who are now concerned to share their name. All also happen to work in caring roles, and couldn't be further from the stereotype. The two I am closest two both have dead parents and it makes them really said that the name chosen by their much loved / loving parents has now developed such awful associations. This is not ok.

Absolutely you should call out bad behaviour, but this name calling is both a lazy and abusive response

Nope. It is used by little kids objecting to being told to behave. It's used by teens if a female teacher challenges them. It's used by people on trains to abuse women who ask them to use headphones. Again, I'm not denying some people behave badly toward "low level" workers, but one does not exclude the other.

So calling someone a Karen is calling out their behaviour?
Perhaps just specify what the problem with the behaviour is, rather than rely on such offensive stereotypes.

Yes, that's happened before.

Really grinds my gears and will always call it out.

Why was the name Karen of all names picked ? It’s a beautiful name and I feel sorry for those called Karen.

I have a colleague in his late 20s who is using it on senior women in their 40s and 50s at work who are basically doing their job…. He is not in the U.K. so must be a global insult now.

I've never been called a karen

doesn't mean i should like it when other women are called karen for no reason