A Karen - Time to Stop

I’m a Karen born in 1960 and used to be so shy…standing up (politely for oneself or others ) is nothing to be ashamed of but it gets me when rude, impolite people are called ‘Karen’s’ !

A right proper Charlie.
A Holy Joe
A Nellie...

The male equivalent in France is Kevin. Boys with this name (1990s) often came from families which were influenced by American series and didn’t seem to do well academically.

I never knew Karen was used in relation to woman of a certain age who weren’t afraid to speak their mind. I always thought it meant any entitled woman who felt they were superior to others. I worked with a lady called Karen who on the whole was really lovely with one exceptionally rude comment to me regarding my allergies.

Hmmm, you sound like a real Karen (just joking).

I know two Karens, one a close friend with a lovely personality who isn’t bothered one jot about the Karen palaver, and another who is more of an acquaintance.

I was surprised to receive a Christmas card from the acquaintance signed with a new name, her husband’s remained the same. It obviously bothered her.

I think it’s pathetic using a name to describe multiple people. I love my name, but I know that people snigger when they hear it.

Crossed posts knspol

I don’t like it either, for the same reasons I don’t like being stereotyped as a ‘Boomer’, and why the name Karen (which I’ve always liked) was singled out for this purpose, I have no idea.
But I don’t think it means an older woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself.
It’s more that it implies a sense of entitlement and an arrogance towards others. Rula’s example is a good one.

I love my name, born in the 60’s

Do any of us really know what a 'Karen' is? I had never thought of it as being an older woman afraid to speak up for herself.

I thought it was something like an entitled, not too bright 'Essex' type young woman not that I've ever used the term or thought much about it.

I'm none the wiser after reading this post.

My Daughter is an Essex girl and she is Karen, she does speak her mind and told me to get lost.I can relate to this.

I hate to say this, but my Daughter is a Karen, in name and temprerment. By her own admission she was going to be a M.I.L. from hell. She's not been part of my life for many years, her selfishness was dreadful. If it was'nt about her forget it.

Oh dear BlessedArt
I’m not referencing silly Tik Tok videos

My opinion was of TikTok videos in response to Rula’s post of 13.13 yesterday where she said:
There are numerous clips on TikTok/YouTube with these white women behaving quite shockingly

Thank you for validating it.

And FYI it isn’t really hard to verify the incidents Rula and I referenced. They made national news in the US because the videos went viral. People lost their jobs because companies did not want to be associated with these racist pinheads. Ignorance of the validity of these cases is willful. It only leads one to question why one would choose to be ignorant of them. Again, not justifying the use of Karen, but it’s a bit thick to dismiss the experiences of marginalized groups simply because you don’t want their experiences to be true.

Rosie,

I raised my children in the US. I visit somewhat regularly as I have family there still. You don’t have to believe these situations are real. They are whether you believe it or not. I’m not referencing silly Tik Tok videos. Your opinion does not invalidate these people’s experiences.

There is a programme on YouTube called Karma for Karen’s which is police bodycam of Karens being arrested. Definitely not actors.

nanna8

It must be a British thing because as far as I’ve heard that name doesn’t evoke anything here at all. The ones that tend to get a bit of ribbing are the strange names that people make up but it is not cruel ribbing as with ‘Karen’. I remember in the old days a woosie bloke was referred to as a ‘right MaryEllen’ so I suppose it is part of our lives.

It's definitely not just a British thing - it's all over America too!

I seem to remember calling a teenage boy a ‘Kevin’ was done in a humorous almost affectionate way as it’s a phase you hope they’ll all grow out of. 🤔

Referring to a woman as a ‘Karen’ is derisive and anyone who finds it funny wouldn’t be on my Christmas card list.

Musicgirl

Primrose53

I understood a Karen was an older woman who had very strong opinions and told people what she thought without them asking. A Karen is never wrong, always complaining about things and super critical and very nosey.

This is how it is used here. It is insulting, frankly, especially to all the ladies actually called Karen - of whom there probably a fair number on GN.

It is intended as an insult which in itself is insulting to use a name like that.

I suppose in the same way that teenagers can be called 'Kevins'.

Primrose53

I understood a Karen was an older woman who had very strong opinions and told people what she thought without them asking. A Karen is never wrong, always complaining about things and super critical and very nosey.

This is how it is used here. It is insulting, frankly, especially to all the ladies actually called Karen - of whom there probably a fair number on GN.

nanna8

It must be a British thing because as far as I’ve heard that name doesn’t evoke anything here at all. The ones that tend to get a bit of ribbing are the strange names that people make up but it is not cruel ribbing as with ‘Karen’. I remember in the old days a woosie bloke was referred to as a ‘right MaryEllen’ so I suppose it is part of our lives.

No, nanna8 it’s US.

I have 2 Karen’s - really

My eldest daughter who is a “Karen” I don’t bother arguing with her I just pull rank and tell her how it’s going to be, she is however a very effective manager and justifies the stereotype.

My second wife who is not a “Karen”, she is calm, confident, competitive and very popular socially, having that forename doesn’t bother her, because she isnt a dominant type.

I spent my teenage years in Essex but never met a Karen. My experience was of Essex girls working in the City and quickly being promoted. Sorry for all the Karens out there who were treated badly.

It must be a British thing because as far as I’ve heard that name doesn’t evoke anything here at all. The ones that tend to get a bit of ribbing are the strange names that people make up but it is not cruel ribbing as with ‘Karen’. I remember in the old days a woosie bloke was referred to as a ‘right MaryEllen’ so I suppose it is part of our lives.