My first Karen

SueDonim

You’ve been hoist on your own petard, Vampirequeen. You sound as entitled as the woman at the concert and framing it around her being a ‘Karen’ makes it even worse.

I’ve known some kind and lovely Karens, in fact, I’ve never come across an unpleasant one.

Well said SueDonim and thanks also to Maw and others for leading the charge in defending my name also. It riles me beyond belief that we have to follow yet another Americanisation trend

You’ve been hoist on your own petard, Vampirequeen. You sound as entitled as the woman at the concert and framing it around her being a ‘Karen’ makes it even worse.

I’ve known some kind and lovely Karens, in fact, I’ve never come across an unpleasant one.

Thank you Maw.

Bugger the recording nonsense - stop using the term Karen. I have really good friends called Karen.

HeavenLeigh

I don’t understand why people have to bring the name Karen into anything! Very disrespectful to all the people out there with this name, and by the way my name isn’t Karen! We have a Karen in our extended family who is sick to the back teeth of having her name ridiculed so immature

I think the Karens of the world will form a union of solidarity with all the Kevins, Charleys, Marthas and many more I'm sure whose names have been used as shorthand over the years.

My name isn't Karen either, but it does get used to imply a 'doormat' - I know this isn't directed at me personally!

OP it does sounds as though the lady was unable to deal with this rationally. What a shame she spoiled the evening for herself.

Did she introduce herself as Karen?

I'm another one who objects to the use of the name Karen as an insult.
We have a family member who is white, middle-aged, kind and lovely who is called Karen.
And a quiet and very kind neighbour with that name.

I think your DH was out of order, sorry.

Any thread that opens with a misogynistic, stereotypical, bigoted title is probably not going to end well.
The woman was out of order. Recording and spoiling the enjoyment of others, regardless of whether it is allowed, is selfish and rude.
Oh, nobody's going to stop me so I'll do what I want regardless of the impact on others. Sorry, I have more sympathy with the woman, even if she handled it badly.

Hear, hear -from one Karen (and proud of it) to another

I detest the way the word ‘Karen’ has been adopted as yet another way to deride and belittle women. I also detest people waving mobile phones around at concerts,

Ladyf

My name is Karen and I have been at the receiving end of hurtful and derogatory remarks whilst in a restaurant with friends. I am a regular patron of the restaurant so the owner knows my name. Upon arrival at the restaurant, the owner showed us to our table and said "Nice to see you again, Karen" The person in question obviously heard my name mentioned. He was at a table next to us with his wife. Then the remarks started. I asked him to stop but he said that it was only a bit of fun. Even his wife kept telling him to stop. The owner heard what he was saying and went to his table and asked him to leave. As the couple went to leave he called me a nasty name that I could not repeat here. It was a distressing and humiliating incident. Even though I felt upset inside, I was not going to let the incident ruin my evening. Those that take the "Karen" thing as a joke, it really isnt. I was caught unawares that day but I'm on my guard now. Thank you for your support to those of us named Karen. Anyway, I like my name.

It is a pretty name, now used by ass..... like the idiot in the restaurant in a derogatory manner.

CanadianGran

Joining in to help stop the mis-use of the name Karen. One of my best friends is Karen, and she is the most wonderful person you could meet.

Although the woman may have been a bit vocal in her complaint, I also feel she had the right to say something. Lights glowing from cell phones is annoying in theatres.

All concerts, plays, etc, should request that phones are switched off and safely put away.

My name is Karen and I have been at the receiving end of hurtful and derogatory remarks whilst in a restaurant with friends. I am a regular patron of the restaurant so the owner knows my name. Upon arrival at the restaurant, the owner showed us to our table and said "Nice to see you again, Karen" The person in question obviously heard my name mentioned. He was at a table next to us with his wife. Then the remarks started. I asked him to stop but he said that it was only a bit of fun. Even his wife kept telling him to stop. The owner heard what he was saying and went to his table and asked him to leave. As the couple went to leave he called me a nasty name that I could not repeat here. It was a distressing and humiliating incident. Even though I felt upset inside, I was not going to let the incident ruin my evening. Those that take the "Karen" thing as a joke, it really isnt. I was caught unawares that day but I'm on my guard now. Thank you for your support to those of us named Karen. Anyway, I like my name.

I dont really care what happened with the woman and the phone. I just dont like the association with Karen. VQ you also knew the term was offensive as you apologised before you used the using the name, so no excuse to post it.

Joining in to help stop the mis-use of the name Karen. One of my best friends is Karen, and she is the most wonderful person you could meet.

Although the woman may have been a bit vocal in her complaint, I also feel she had the right to say something. Lights glowing from cell phones is annoying in theatres.

He didn't have the phone lifted. It couldn't have been in her eyeline unless she was looking at his lap. He wasn't making any sound. He simply pressed the record button as the piece started and pressed it again to stop the recording. He didn't even move anything other than his thumb.

Shelflife

Sorry vampire queen but I feel she was justified in her outburst. I understand you our DH wanting to record such a wonderful concert so he could send to his friend in South Africa. He may well have moved to another position if she had said his phone was in her eye line ..... however that action would have out his phone in someone else's eyeline!
I fail to understand why people are incapable of attending a lovely concert without recording or taking pictures. Why not just sit , listen and appreciate?
The fault may lie in the organizers allowing people to record, the angry lady was understandably annoyed at the amount of distraction caused by phones recording and your DH was in the firing line. If I attend such a concert I expect to relax , listen and enjoy and not be distracted by people raising their phones !!!! The fact the lady would not be able to see anyway is beside the point . She wanted to listen in a serene environment and I don't blame her. Sorry but have little sympathy for you .

Totally agree.

Can I suggest that next time, you just take a picture for the memory?

Last time we went to an event, most of the crowd was just recording on their phones while looking at the phone to ensure they got food footage.

I couldn't be doing with all that arm ache and watching it on my phone when I was actually there in person.

Most things you can find a professional recording of at some point in the future anyway.

What is wrong with being called Karen!?

Sorry vampire queen but I feel she was justified in her outburst. I understand you our DH wanting to record such a wonderful concert so he could send to his friend in South Africa. He may well have moved to another position if she had said his phone was in her eye line ..... however that action would have out his phone in someone else's eyeline!
I fail to understand why people are incapable of attending a lovely concert without recording or taking pictures. Why not just sit , listen and appreciate?
The fault may lie in the organizers allowing people to record, the angry lady was understandably annoyed at the amount of distraction caused by phones recording and your DH was in the firing line. If I attend such a concert I expect to relax , listen and enjoy and not be distracted by people raising their phones !!!! The fact the lady would not be able to see anyway is beside the point . She wanted to listen in a serene environment and I don't blame her. Sorry but have little sympathy for you .

He was seated throughout and wasn't holding his phone up or out.

I don’t understand why people have to bring the name Karen into anything! Very disrespectful to all the people out there with this name, and by the way my name isn’t Karen! We have a Karen in our extended family who is sick to the back teeth of having her name ridiculed so immature

NanaAng14

There's nothing worse than enjoying a concert or theatre or musical production and some idiot in front ,or 2 or 3 rows in front constantly hold their phone out recording , especially if you've paid quite an amount for the tickets .

Agreed. Did he actually stand to do so?

The concert was free. Recording was allowed. DH wasn't holding his phone out or up as he was only recording the sound.

I’m just surprised that recording was allowed. Why not just sit back and enjoy the concert? The objector does sound rather hysterical. And I would never refer to anyone as a “Karen”. A ridiculous and offensive US import.

OP, if it wasn’t possible for anyone to see the orchestra why did your husband need to hold the phone up in her eye-line?
Why not leave it on his lap?