Have you been a Karen or Kevin or been attacked by one?

Myrtle said:
I have most often often heard of Karens in regard to the pandemic and fortunately I haven't been one or been accosted by one. They were those women who took it upon themselves to rudely tell others to put on a mask in public, although it could apply to any insane rant. There are actually some pretty funny stories about them. I wasn't aware it had to do with race although I shouldn't be surprised to see that pop up.
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When Covid first started I was attacked by a lady at the grocery. I had tried to get masks but could not find any. Strange thing is I still wear a mask when most go without.
 
The three Karens that I know qualify for the description. They always presumed they were correct and entitled and had no problem putting someone else in their place.

The third may have changed. She was young but was developing the same character as her mother.

Oh no, as I sat here trying to think of any nice ones I know I just remembered a fourth.
 

feywon said:
What would suggest for people who behave in such ways??? The more cumbersome partially obscured B**** or B******? Or perhaps the gender neutral A**H***?

While i don't use the terms Karen/Kevin except in the context of a thread like this one they have become part of current slang. But no calling someone that is, IMO, no where near as bad as some of things such people say and do, including ones who have accosted children for things riding a bike on sidewalk past their (the AH's) house; hurling various kinds of very nasty epithets at random folks minding their own. business in public places.

Often they are the ones who have cut in a line: blocked a grocery aisle, then go ballistic on someone who says 'excuse me' hoping to get by; wrongly assumed someone was employee of a store and refused to grasp when they are told the person is not.

While i feel sorry for anyone who actually has those names perhaps there is lesson about the weight of stereotypes on people who may look/act like the people that inspired the stereotype but do not actually behave the same.
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Ad if it were YOUR friend's daughter who committed suicide because she was so a harassed and pocked at just for her NAME being used tht way, would you still feel so complacent? Or be so hateful because someone called you on it? Do people NEVER stop and actually think any more, or just hate on....
 
BC Flash said:
My theory: The term "Karen" and "Kevin" is more acceptable than "bitch" and "bastard".
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Not in my book, I believe it's best to be direct. Asshole would be my gender neutral insult of choice.

Frankly I think the "Karen" thing is stupid, just like calling Joe Biden "Brandon". People like to think they're clever speaking in code but I think it's lame.
 
AnnieA said:
The Karen thing has been so overdone it's become trite. I'm tired of the overuse of the word sweet as well. Apparently few people use a thesaurus anymore.
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Sweet - I thought I was just imagining this.

Karen has pretty much disappeared now, imo. The people that behave poorly haven’t but the trend of using the name don’t seem as common on social sites.
 
Blessed said:
This has become such a big deal. So much coverage put on the net now that almost everyone has a cell with camera. I do not have a cell so I really don't pay attention. I have "Karened" a time or two. It was in the hospital when my husband was receiving cancer treatment or other medical things and they did not bring his medications on time. That was the one thing I just could not stand and would flip out if he was not taken care of.

Have you been a Karen or Kevin or been attacked by one?
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I’ve been one and dealt with them . I just won’t call them Karen’s or Kevin’s.
 
oldaunt said:
Ad if it were YOUR friend's daughter who committed suicide because she was so a harassed and pocked at just for her NAME being used tht way, would you still feel so complacent? Or be so hateful because someone called you on it? Do people NEVER stop and actually think any more, or just hate on....
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Complacent? Hateful? Your opinion, i don't think i expressed either.

I know my own daughter is wreck most nights after work because of entitled A**H**** who blame her (and yell, cuss at her) for the consequences of THEIR lack common sense and planning. Obviously you either hadn't read my first response (#5) or thought about what i said or how i said it. how i expressed it. I've only used either name a few times in this entire thread when necessary to be clear about my meaning.

I'm sorry about the person you know who committed suicide over it but as someone who has been suicidal i am rather sure it is rarely over just ONE thing. Usually it is an accumulation. But it would explain your strong emotions about it. However, i do think adults screaming at and laying hands on children for harmless actions of the child is worse than namecalling by peers.

Bullying of all kinds is rampant these days (it even turns up here on occasion). Those who do it will find a multiple bogus reasons for doing so. And if the target is a minor or otherwise particularly vulnerable person its crucial they have support at home and that a school take action if that's where it happens.

BTW in a conversation about your point, in which a person actually named Karen took part, we all agreed that it was unfair to people with those names and reassured our Karen that while she has name we know she's not one. She told us that it was uncomfortable meeting new people but she knew her behavior didn't qualify her. And that it was just a stupid trend that would eventually lose steam.
 
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feywon said:
Complacent? Hateful? Your opinion, i don't think i expressed either.

I know my own daughter is wreck most nights after work because of entitled A**H**** who blame her (and yell, cuss) for the consequences of THEIR lack common sense and planning. Obviously you either hadn't read my first response (#5) or thought about what i said or how i said it. how i expressed. I've only used either name a few times in this entire thread when necessary to be clear about my meaning.

I'm sorry about the person you know who committed suicide over it but as someone who has been suicidal i am rather sure it is rarely over just ONE thing. Usually it is an accumulation. But it would explain your strong emotions about it. However, i think adults screaming at and laying hands on children for harmless actions of the child is worse than namecalling by peers.

Bullying of all kinds is rampant these days (it even turns up here on occasion). Those who do it will find a multiple bogus reasons for doing so. And if the target is a minor or otherwise particularly vulnerable person its crucial they have support at home and that a school take action if that's where it happens.

BTW in a conversation about your point, in which a person actually named Karen took part, we all agreed that it was unfair to people with those names and reassured our Karen that while she has name we know she's not one. She told us that it was uncomfortable meeting new people but she knew her behavior didn't qualify her. And that it was just a stupid trend that would eventually lose steam.
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As far as I could see, you didn't express either. I thought your previous post an this one to be quite respectfull.
 
I've most often seen Karens wanting to "speak to the manager" because they want their way. And yes, they are usually characterized as White women.

I didn't even know Kevins were a thing, but I've only been a Kevin when I've received a survey from a company that I've done business with and let them know it was unsatisfactory. I've been using The Parking Spot at DFW for years. The last time I had difficulty exiting the facility because they couldn't find my name in their system and one attendant requested that I go to another attendant because she was taking a call. I told them about it in my survey and they refunded the parking charges. I never asked for a refund, but sometimes it pays to complain.
 
Myrtle said:
I have most often often heard of Karens in regard to the pandemic and fortunately I haven't been one or been accosted by one. They were those women who took it upon themselves to rudely tell others to put on a mask in public, although it could apply to any insane rant. There are actually some pretty funny stories about them. I wasn't aware it had to do with race although I shouldn't be surprised to see that pop up.
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There were also Karens who refused to wear masks in stores when it was a policy during the height of the pandemic. One coughed on a woman who asked her to wear a mask and another tore clothes off a rack onto the floor after a store clerk asked her to wear a mask. Perhaps the worst incident was when a Karen drove her car into a Food Lion and assaulted workers due to the mask mandate. :(

 
An angry white woman is a "Karen". So I guess an angry white man must be a "Kevin". It's people of other races that came up with the name Karen, which I find to be totally offensive. It's totally unfair to anyone whose name is really Karen. It turns them into a joke. Common sense dictates that there are a lot of really nice women in this country named Karen. That also means that there are a lot of nice men also, who are named Kevin. Just refer to angry people as an angry man or woman. Stop turning the Karens of this country into mean angry and sometimes bigoted people. 😡
 
Like everything else this thing did its time and should be over......
for as long as i can remember there have been selfish people who make a fit to get their way ...... i think of the phrase "squeaky wheel get the grease" told to me by my grandmother......

A news flash for the younger generations this happened before cell phones recorded it too...

Yet another way to create a divisive stereotype............ so some are too nervous to speak up if needed without being called a name.......
anyone who has worked customer service has seen some real examples...... but i chose Not to dwell on the selfish people who play this game....
 
seadoug said:
I've most often seen Karens wanting to "speak to the manager" because they want their way. And yes, they are usually characterized as White women.

I didn't even know Kevins were a thing, but I've only been a Kevin when I've received a survey from a company that I've done business with and let them know it was unsatisfactory. I've been using The Parking Spot at DFW for years. The last time I had difficulty exiting the facility because they couldn't find my name in their system and one attendant requested that I go to another attendant because she was taking a call. I told them about it in my survey and they refunded the parking charges. I never asked for a refund, but sometimes it pays to complain.
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Yes, it can. But i usually start with a calm, clear statement of facts. If on the phone i'll tell the rep 'If my voice sounds harsh it is not aimed at you personally it just frustration with your company because..' And lay out the problem.

And of course there are things that should be 'complained' about. But it is important to 1)be sure the complaint is legit and 2) know when, how and to whom to complain. I will talk to customer service reps first about issues, and usually they can be resolved but once or twice i've done things like sending a certified letter to a VP of AT & T, back when they were 'Ma Bell' monopoly about an erroneous bill. (I should have saved the apology letter longer.)
 
I agree it's an unfortunate use of the name and I feel bad for anyone with that name.

I watched my mother sometimes make scenes in public and treat cashiers at times with some nastiness. She was a great example of something I didn't want to be.

I'm more the doormat and find it hard to stick up for myself.
 
Anyone who is offended or angered by the fact that an angry white woman is called Karen needs to get over it. My name is Doug and I'm not offended by the Liberty Insurance commercial with Emu & Doug. I know Doug is usually assigned to a nerdy character (I was called Doogie Howser in the 90's) but I embraced it, it does not concern me and I just laugh about it. Was I stigmatized? No. Grow a sense of humor. ;)
 

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