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My first Karen

(167 Posts)
vampirequeen Fri 26-Aug-22 18:03:01

Apologies to all the nice ladies called Karen but today we met a 'Karen'.

We went to a lunchtime concert at Beverley Minster. It was the Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra and, if you ever get the chance, I can heartily recommend you go to see them.

DH was using his phone to record some of the music to send to a friend in South Africa who loves classical music. He wasn't the only person recording but Karen seemed to take offence to him alone. Half way through the concert she stormed up behind him and shouted (over the music) that he had ruined the concert for her because she couldn't see when he was recording. Now the layout was such that, unless you were on the first row, you wouldn't be able to see the orchestra anyway but apparently her lack of view was DH's fault. He hadn't done anything to affect her hearing of the music. After she shouted, and without giving him chance to reply, she stormed off and left the Minster. We, and people around us, burst out laughing.

The daft thing was that if she had simply told DH that she found his phone annoying because it was in her eyeline, he would have apologised and recorded from another position. Then she wouldn't have had to storm out and miss the second half of what was an incredibly good concert.

FannyCornforth Sun 28-Aug-22 09:48:54

I just thought that it was misogyny, a special middle aged white women type.
Who should just know their place in society and shut up

MawtheMerrier Sun 28-Aug-22 09:49:05

There has been some interesting research on the ‘Karen’ issue. One researcher summed it up as someone who moves through the world prepared to fight a faceless conglomerate of lesser-than people who won't give her what she wants and feels she deserves.
Food for thought
No it isn’t.
It is quite unacceptable to attribute characteristics to anybody with a particular Christian/given name. That they are negative characteristics is even worse. And why “ she” ? Sexist too.
Try referring to people of colour as “Sambo” and see how far you get. This sort of pseudo-sociologibabble is not worth the space given to write it down. .

silverlining48 Sun 28-Aug-22 09:54:32

This whole thing about all Karens being some sort of harridan is absolute nonsense.
Why pick on Karen? Why not Charlotte or Emily? Why anyone quite frankly. It’s clearly ridiculous.
There are unpleasant people about but they have have a variety of names.

Lathyrus Sun 28-Aug-22 10:12:11

I can’t help noticing that some of the people who are posting in support of the “The bullying has to stop” thread are the same ones who are trying to shut this thread down ??

BlueBelle Sun 28-Aug-22 10:21:33

Sorry Vampire but even if the phone was in his lap (which is not what you first said) the light shines upwards and would be seen by others
It’s bad manners in all senses and most venues make it very clear you are not to record of photograph the act ….Buy the cd to send to the friend in SA
It’s also in very bad taste to use a persons name to signify her faults It started in America and is a use in a very derogatory manner

grannysyb Sun 28-Aug-22 10:51:16

Whatever the rights and wrongs of recording a concert, the title of the post was insulting to anyone called Karen.

Parsley3 Sun 28-Aug-22 11:03:03

Enid101
There has been some interesting research on the ‘Karen’ issue.
One researcher summed it up as someone who moves through the world prepared to fight a faceless conglomerate of lesser-than people who won't give her what she wants and feels she deserves.
Food for thought.

This contradicts your previous post where you complain about people on here being unkind. Research on the 'Karen' issue is not interesting it is insulting our intelligence. Name calling is a childish pursuit and adults should know better.

Chewbacca Sun 28-Aug-22 11:09:21

I can’t help noticing that some of the people who are posting in support of the “The bullying has to stop” thread are the same ones who are trying to shut this thread down.

Yes, I spotted that too Lathyrus but maybe not too surprising, as the hijacking of the name Karen, as a misogynistic, racist and ageist slur has actually been used on these boards several times in the past, by people who claim to be vehemently against bullying in other forms. hmm

nanaK54 Sun 28-Aug-22 11:30:32

Did the use of 'Karen' add anything to the story?
I don't think so.

FannyCornforth Sun 28-Aug-22 11:46:38

Chewbacca

^I can’t help noticing that some of the people who are posting in support of the “The bullying has to stop” thread are the same ones who are trying to shut this thread down.^

Yes, I spotted that too Lathyrus but maybe not too surprising, as the hijacking of the name Karen, as a misogynistic, racist and ageist slur has actually been used on these boards several times in the past, by people who claim to be vehemently against bullying in other forms. hmm

My understanding of Lathyrus’s post was that they were accusing the critics of VQ’s misuse of the name Karen, of being the bullies.

Ie the OP was being bullied

MawtheMerrier Sun 28-Aug-22 11:51:28

Chewbacca

^I can’t help noticing that some of the people who are posting in support of the “The bullying has to stop” thread are the same ones who are trying to shut this thread down.^

Yes, I spotted that too Lathyrus but maybe not too surprising, as the hijacking of the name Karen, as a misogynistic, racist and ageist slur has actually been used on these boards several times in the past, by people who claim to be vehemently against bullying in other forms. hmm

Thank you Chewbacca

Lathyrus Sun 28-Aug-22 11:55:31

Oh dear. I was oblique?

Jst the opposite fanny.

I was remarking on people who whilst fervently opposing the perceived bullying of Meghan were objecting to those who opposed the bullying of Karen (or any other named person).

The irony .

FannyCornforth Sun 28-Aug-22 11:57:25

Thank you Lathyrus! No need to apologise at all. smile
I’m constantly tying myself in syntactic knots on here!

Chewbacca Sun 28-Aug-22 12:02:34

Possibly Fanny, I cannot speak for Lathyrus but my post still stands nevertheless. Using a woman's name, any name, as a derogatory, ageist, misogynistic and racist slur is never acceptable. It's been used on GN threads in the past by some posters who are vocal in their condemnation of other forms of bullying.
I'm perplexed as to why, on one thread, some posters are able to see that negative criticism of women, by women, is to be deplored but, at the same time, think nothing of using a woman's name as a general slur against white, middle aged women. Hypocrisy.

Chewbacca Sun 28-Aug-22 12:03:46

Crossed postedLathyrus, your post is as I thought.

FannyCornforth Sun 28-Aug-22 12:07:01

Sorted! And I quite agree Chewbacca

Annaram1 Sun 28-Aug-22 12:11:53

My second name is Karen and I love it.

VioletSky Sun 28-Aug-22 12:16:40

Gosh that's a stretch isn't it?

OP just took a rather popular meme younger people are using constantly for whatever reason.

And has been thoroughly told off for doing so.

Lesson learned, no?

Or must OP be mob flogged for 40 pages?

And anyone pointing out that perhaps the message has been sent loud and clear needs to get a good stoning too?

2 wrongs = right?

Or can the OP have another chance before the pitchforks come out?

silverlining48 Sun 28-Aug-22 12:25:09

No pitchforks no flogging and it’s 5 pages not 40. Since the op hasn’t returned it might be assumed she feels ok about what isn’t ok, whatever ‘Young people’ might do or think.

FannyCornforth Sun 28-Aug-22 12:26:53

VioletSky Op could / should have apologised for causing offence.
I thought that that was just the done thing

Chewbacca Sun 28-Aug-22 12:28:36

OP just took a rather popular meme younger people are using constantly for whatever reason.

It wasn't a rather popular meme used by a younger person when it was used so frequently here on GN though was it? It was used then, as it has been used now, by an older woman, against an older woman and it was pointed out to you then why it was so unacceptable. Educated, non bullying young people stopped using the meme a long time ago; it's only ignorant bullies who perpetuate it's use now.

VioletSky Sun 28-Aug-22 12:31:17

They probably left

You guys carry on though

Have fun

Lathyrus Sun 28-Aug-22 12:33:13

So if it’s popular it’s ok? Or if it’s popular with the young it’s ok?
Not sure what you’re saying there?

Chewbacca Sun 28-Aug-22 12:34:12

Not all of them left.

Lathyrus Sun 28-Aug-22 12:34:59

If it’s ok if it’s popular why object to the Meghan thread. That’s very popular.