Karens are a common issue for businesses providing customer service. These privileged, entitled white women assume they deserve special treatment just because they entered your door.
Social media, including TikTok, has seen people share their stories of dealing with Karens and the unfortunate headlines they’ve made. Now a company called Karens for Hire has emerged to assist businesses in managing this annoying recurring issue.
1. Calmly Speak Your Peace
One of the more challenging aspects of customer service is dealing with a less than ideal or unresponsive customer. This can be especially challenging when they have had an especially tough time at home, work, or both. Preventing repeat performances requires being proactive rather than reactive, which can be challenging even in good times. To be successful in customer service, it’s essential to always remain attentive and engaged. Be a good listener, talker and ambassador for your brand at all times. Utilizing the correct tools and an upbeat attitude will lead to more productive, less stressful interactions with your customers in the long run. Here are some helpful tips and tricks that can assist you on this journey. At the core of it all, remember your customers are human beings not robots or zombies. This can be accomplished through positive reinforcement such as showing genuine smiles on your face. Not only will this create a more pleasant experience for all parties involved but it will also lead to happy and satisfied repeat customers.
2. Don’t Give In
Dealing with karens in customer service can be a challenge, particularly when they are loud and aggressive. It is essential to avoid giving in when dealing with a karen as this will only prolong the encounter.
To avoid giving in, the best approach is to stay composed and speak your peace. Doing this will let Karen know you are not malicious or unwilling to help them.
Remember, karen is more than just a customer; she can be an aggressive animal fed off anger and resentment. When an encounter with her becomes overwhelming, you should consider cutting it short.
By doing this, the karen will leave with a sense of fulfillment and you can avoid getting into an argument that could negatively affect both your business and reputation.
Another way to avoid giving in is by recording every complaint that comes your way. This will serve as a valuable reference if ever you need to address another similar issue with a customer in the future.
Finally, always ensure that you can give the customer your full attention. If they are displaying any threatening or abusive behaviors, make sure you have their full name and address handy so you can take appropriate action if required.
A karen is someone who expects to get what they want, regardless of fairness. They often use false victimhood as a weapon, exaggerating or lying about how they were treated and using that privilege against those below them in society.
3. Keep Your Cool
Many who have worked in a service industry have encountered Karens. These rude, entitled and out of touch customers believe they are above the law; they’ll complain about everything and expect special treatment and privileges they don’t deserve.
When dealing with Karen, it’s important to remain composed. Allowing things to get out of hand could damage your reputation and result in you losing a customer.
Maintaining composure when dealing with Karen can be tough if you’re used to debating with many people in your workplace, but it’s necessary if you want to avoid getting into an argument. Here’s how:
It is essential to remember that Karens are angry animals who feed off your resentment and anger. They are not the people they claim to be, so you must see them for what they truly are.
Instead of getting into an argument with Karen, talk to them as you would with any child in need of comfort. While they may shout and gesticulate, do not let that get the better of you; keep talking instead.
Another way to stay composed is having a cancellation policy in place. Make sure it’s prominent on your website and all staff are aware of it; this can help prevent Karens from canceling appointments at short notice, saving both you time and money in the process.
In addition, you can always strive to make Karen’s experience less unpleasant by showing kindness and thoughtfulness. It’s a simple yet effective way to demonstrate that you value your customers, which will ultimately guarantee they are contented with their service.
4. Don’t Take Things Personal
Taken too personally can be a dangerous habit to cultivate. Not only does it give off an impression of weakness, but it may also have detrimental effects on your career and indicate deeper-seated issues with self-worth.
When trying to avoid taking things personally, remember that you don’t have to agree with the person causing you distress. You can still maintain a respectful tone of voice and communicate calmly. Furthermore, practice empathy and be understanding towards them as well.
Avoid taking things personally by remembering that everyone is dealing with their own struggles in their own unique way. You don’t have to agree with their opinion or what they say about you, but you can acknowledge its impact on them and that they may be going through a trying time in their life.
A successful customer service representative must be able to handle a wide variety of clients and customers, but some can be especially challenging. Karens are one such difficult customer that can prove particularly frustrating to work with.
When dealing with a Karen, be sure to address their complaints calmly and respectfully. You can do this by prepping a response before they arrive, addressing them by their first name, and offering an earnest apology.
Furthermore, you can offer to solve their problem for them if they are willing to listen. You could even engage in negotiation with them to reach a resolution that benefits both parties.
When dealing with a Karen, remember that they may be angry about something other than you and it has nothing to do with you at all. Avoid making yourself too frustrated by them by continuing their upset – this can have negative repercussions for both of you.
5. Don’t Let It Get to You
When working in a service-oriented industry, you understand all too well the frustration that some customers can cause. They’ll call with complaints, make unreasonable requests and generally get on your nerves. But the good news is there are ways to manage these types of customers and turn them into loyal clients.
One of the most important ways to stay calm when receiving complaints is responding calmly. Address them by name, offer an sincere apology, and assure them that you’re doing all you can to resolve their problem.
To achieve excellent customer service, it is essential that your staff receives appropriate training and empowerment. This could be achieved through sending them on a customer service training course or creating an internal employee-training program.
An effective way to accomplish this is through online classes, but you could also gather your employees for a weeklong customer service training session. Not only will it boost morale within the team, but it ensures everyone shares an objective when it comes to providing excellent customer service.
When dealing with Karen, it’s essential to remain calm and not take things personally. Doing so will help her relax and protect your business from any negative backlash such as a one-state Google review or social media posts that could hurt your reputation. But you can avoid these outcomes by being firm yet calmly responding, making sure she knows you are doing all you can to make her contented.
