Anyone who has ever worked in customer service knows the struggle of dealing with Karens. Their attitude can be downright offensive, making you feel like your dealing with the worst person on Earth. If this sounds familiar to you, know that these individuals exist!
That’s why it’s essential to learn how to handle them. Yahoo Life reached out to experts for insight on why women take such drastic measures and how you can keep them in check.
Entitled
No matter who it may be – an entitled friend in the office, or a rude customer at work – having knowledge on how to deal with Karens can be invaluable. These individuals can be difficult for everyone if you don’t have any prior experience dealing with them.
Karens tend to be overbearing and overconfident in their abilities, often believing they deserve whatever they desire without having to work hard for it. There are a few reasons for this phenomenon; Karens often have an unkind attitude and believe they always get what they want even if it costs them something they don’t already possess.
Another potential reason is their general laziness and inattention. They don’t complete assignments or are generally unmotivated. Furthermore, they tend to express strong opinions which could be an issue for you in the long run.
Finally, they can be extremely rude and inconsiderate. Not only does this make you feel unwelcome, but if they start shouting at you or threaten to call the police, it may become even more uncomfortable for both of you.
To effectively handle these types of people, it’s essential to know how to handle them and what steps to take when they start behaving irrationally or threateningly. Begin by explaining that you cannot help them until they cease shouting or displaying aggressive behaviors. If they don’t stop, call the police and explain that you intend on filing a report.
In addition to these factors, you should also take into account their mental health. They may have a history of narcissism or other undiagnosed issues which could influence their behaviour.
For instance, if they are struggling with depression or anxiety, it might appear that they aren’t having a good day. If this is the case, you should also ask them to meet with a therapist to discuss their situation and get some assistance.
When dealing with these people, remember that you are not their enemy. While it may be tempting to ignore them if necessary, be prepared to confront them if necessary and handle the situation appropriately.
Rude
When a customer yells at your employees, threatens to call the police, or exhibits aggressive behavior, it can be difficult to deal with. The best approach in such cases is trying to be empathic and understand their point of view. While this may prove challenging at times, it’s essential for keeping your business secure.
Karens are not alone in exhibiting these types of behaviors; this is an issue common to many businesses. Whether it’s a retail store or restaurant, many customers often complain about their experiences at the establishment.
Some of these complaints can be linked to the economy and globalization. It is a widely held belief that globalization has resulted in a loss of jobs, forcing working-class people out of their homes.
But this is not the only cause of behavior issues; they can also be linked to a lack of equality and justice in American society. The social issues that have emerged have created much anger and resentment within America, leading many Karens to express their frustration on social media platforms.
It is essential to recognize that these behavior issues aren’t necessarily due to racism or classism; they’re usually just plain rude. That’s why it’s essential for businesses to identify these customers and promptly address their requests.
The next step should be training your staff on how to handle such scenarios, which can help reduce incidents. Furthermore, make sure they are informed of all applicable laws regarding discrimination and harassment in the workplace that should be adhered to.
One way to prevent this is by implementing a social media policy for your company. Doing so ensures employees are aware of any laws in place which protect them from discrimination and harassment based on gender, race, sexual orientation and disability. Furthermore, it prevents them from sharing inappropriate images on social media which could expose your business to potential legal claims.
Bigoted
If you work in a workplace where racism is an issue, you know that not everyone in your company shares your view on it. But if you want real progress to occur within your company, don’t ignore this issue.
You have taken steps to create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and their voices heard. However, that can only happen if you take action against those leaders who are instilling biases and racist behaviors on your employees – this means confronting both “Karens” and “Kens” of your organization.
Karens are white women who act out from a perceived sense of privilege, whether it’s grilling in the park or calling to speak to a manager or policeing other people’s behavior. They’re frequently accused of microaggressions against others and have earned an unfavorable reputation for being aggressive and intimidating even when confronted by strangers.
These women often come off as entitled and use their privilege to get what they want. They’ll yell at someone for something minor or make up a false police report against someone they perceive to be Black in order to gain advantage.
This underscores why it’s essential to address racist white women in the workplace as individuals rather than using a generic designation. Simply calling them “Karen” or “Ken” won’t do.
Some social media users have even started assigning Karens humorous nicknames like Barbecue Becky or Golfcart Gail. While these labels may be amusing, they highlight the fact that these women often behave in inappropriate and unacceptable ways.
But as Karen culture continues to spread in various forms, it’s becoming a powerful symbol for white supremacy. The viral video of a woman screaming at a store employee for not wearing a face mask is just one example of this trend.
But the most alarming trend about this trend is its prevalence in workplaces, where many employees are dedicated to combatting racism. Unfortunately, they’re being undermined by Karens and Kens within their company who impart their prejudices onto them. That’s why it’s essential that your organization has a policy in place so everyone can speak up against racist behavior without fear of reprisal or reprisals.
Self-indulgent
Karen people are a minority group in Burma (formerly known as Myanmar). Most of them still reside in rural villages and face hardship due to landslides caused by forest deforestation, droughts, and forced relocation from their ancestral homes for logging companies. Furthermore, Karen people suffer from malnutrition, anemia, and vitamin deficiencies.
Karen people, despite their hardships, strive to preserve their identity and culture. They celebrate national holidays like the Karen New Year in January or Christmas, as well as religious festivals based on animist or Buddhist beliefs; some Karens are even Christians.
Karens strongly advocate for children to receive an education, and many send their kids to village schools established by missionaries. Many Karens join the army or armed forces in order to protect their homeland.
Their culture is built upon an intricate web of family and community relationships, with great importance placed on closeness with family members. A family consists of one father, one mother, and their children – usually the eldest male member – with everyone taking responsibility for everyone else’s wellbeing and education.
Karens’ traditional cuisine consists of a range of items, such as wild game like boar or venison, palm sugar and herbs from the forests. Additionally they eat chicken, pork, goat, fish, rice and pumpkins.
These foods are vital for the Karens’ survival. In times past, they would travel far distances in search of new foods or hunt for them. Unfortunately, Burmese government capture of farmers and forced relocation have severely limited their access to wild food sources.
Unfortunately, this has led to a shortage of nutritious and tasty foods, especially in urban areas. Some Karens who live there rely on fast-food outlets while others are poor and struggle to feed themselves.
Karens often consume a great deal of meat, which can pose health risks to pregnant women and babies. Due to this diet, Karens are more likely to die during childbirth than other ethnic groups.
When dealing with a self-indulgent Karen, remember that this individual cannot see the world from another point of view and may become frustrated with what’s around them. To help them understand that you aren’t at fault and they don’t need to feel so angry and resentful about everything, speak calmly, be firm, and remain rational. Doing this will allow them to gain perspective on events without feeling the need for immediate action.
