No matter how difficult it may seem, ignoring a Karen, disengaging and walking away are the best ways to manage an angry, self-righteous Karen.
No matter the age or gender of a Karen, they are an agressive animal that feeds off anger and resentment.
They often believe the world revolves around them, so it’s only natural for them to feel threatened or angry at others. Some may even display extreme racism towards certain groups.
Ignore them
If you work in customer service, chances are you’ve encountered Karens before. These irritants tend to be middle-aged women who use their privilege to get what they want and make others uncomfortable. They usually wear bob haircuts, ask to speak with retail managers, and complain about people they perceive as racist or sexist.
The origin of the Karen nickname remains uncertain, but it’s a common pejorative slang term used to denigrate arrogant, entitled and often racist middle-aged women who use their white privilege to demand their way. It has become particularly popular on internet forum Reddit where it has become part of meme culture.
Karens often feature a blonde bob haircut, an attitude of entitlement and the desire to speak directly to retail or restaurant managers about complaints or demands. In one viral video clip, a Karen demanded to know why shoppers had to wear masks during checkout; when told this was part of their policy she threatened to file a lawsuit.
No matter how difficult it may seem when Karen approaches you, ignoring them is usually the best course of action. After all, they’re too far gone to change, so don’t waste any more time with them.
It’s essential to remember that Karen’s behavior is entirely selfish and self-indulgent. They seem completely lost in their own world, only seeing what benefits them. Therefore, Karen may not be someone you should approach since they lack empathy or compassion for other humans.
This explains why they’re so annoying and such a burden on society. They feel angry and resentful at how they’re treated, leading them to do anything necessary in order to get what they want.
Karens can be defeated if you know how to react appropriately and have a strategy for dealing with them. Here are some tips to help make that happen.
1. Recognize that Karen is not a rational individual, and will always attempt to get their way.
Karen is a self-righteous, selfish and vindictive woman who will never stop demanding what they want. They will lash out at you or even use physical violence in pursuit of their objectives; believing this to be the only way they can obtain what they desire.
They can be a real pain in the neck and will do anything to get their way, including using violence. Therefore, it’s essential not to engage with them when they appear agitated and frustrated since this will only escalate things further.
2. Be patient with them and demonstrate that you’re not a Karen yourself.
A Karen often behaves sarcastically and aggressively, so it’s essential to show them you take their behavior seriously and it’s not okay to be mean towards them. This will teach them that it’s important for both of you to have a healthy understanding of one another’s feelings.
Disengage
Karens can be frightening and unpredictable creatures. If you have ever come across one in real life or onscreen, then you know they are fueled by anger and resentment towards a world that has failed them.
They hate everything, everyone and anyone who isn’t white. They will rant and rave and even try to harm people in order to gain attention. This is their form of entertainment and they expect you to react.
Karens are notorious for their angry energy, so the best approach is to ignore them and disengage from it. You may feel overwhelmed with all of this work but remember: these individuals have already suffered greatly and patience will go a long way in dealing with them.
Karens will never have an objective perspective of the world, so their opinions are worthless and invalid. They are completely lost in their own world and only perceive what they can rage against.
When they approach you, remember that they are a child in an adult body; thus, it is essential to speak calmly and with a firm voice in order to prevent them from getting into any mental states which could potentially trigger them.
They may shout, gesticulate and throw their toys out of the pram, but you must speak clearly and keep your voice calm. This can be challenging so it may take some practice until you feel comfortable talking to them without an emotional reaction.
Additionally, avoid patronising them. Doing so only serves to fuel their anger and cause further tension.
Maintaining a positive outlook when dealing with them can be beneficial, as this will deflect their petty ire and anger, keeping them distracted by your positive energy.
Another helpful tip when dealing with Karens is to remain composed and not take their insults personally. While they may be verbose, remember that they may just be frustrated and feeling down on themselves.
Karen is a self-indulgent, selfish individual who is completely consumed with her own needs and wants. They lack empathy for other people or their situations.
They often have an overinflated sense of self, expecting special treatment and believing they are above others. This leads them to feel entitled and overreact when things don’t go their way.
These individuals will demand to speak to the manager or make other unjustifiable demands on minimum wage employees. These people make for unpleasant workplace environments, as they lack empathy and consideration for others. Avoid having these individuals around at work if possible; they make for unpleasant conditions for everyone involved.
No matter what they may claim, their behavior is simply designed to gain attention. If you can ignore them and walk away from their rants, eventually they’ll go away on their own. Not only will this save time and energy for both of you, but it also gives witnesses a true sense of class.
Back away
Karens are women who are overly entitled and easily annoyed. These typically white, affluent, middle-aged individuals display this behavior.
Karens can be guilty of acting petty or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but no matter what it is, Karen is an unpleasant individual. They tend to be rude, aggressive and in many cases abusive towards others; additionally they may display racism or extreme sexism.
In 2017, a user on Reddit ranted about his ex-wife’s behavior. This term quickly gained notoriety on the internet as an internet meme that mocks those who are superficial and self-absorbed.
Karens can be a real challenge to deal with at times, but there are ways you can take control of the situation and win the day. Here are a few strategies for success when dealing with Karens in your life.
First and foremost, don’t argue with them! You cannot understand their perspective, so fighting won’t do any good; rather, demonstrate that you have more understanding than they do.
Another helpful tip is to remember that Karens tend to be white, middle-aged women who become extremely emotional about anything different from themselves. That includes people of color selling lemonade or walking on the sidewalk, as well as reminding you that your dog must always remain leashed.
Karens who display such behavior often suffer from emotional vulnerability and are feeling triggered. Since many have never experienced much hardship in their lives, they become so used to being the center of attention that they don’t realize it’s detrimental for others.
Eventually, they’ll recognize their wrongdoing and have to apologize to you. At that point, you can move on with life.
As a general guideline, approach Karen with an upbeat outlook. They tend to listen more intently when you’re nice and polite; additionally, being calm and reasonable will likely increase their patience with you.
If you ever find yourself harassed by Karen, it is best to simply walk away. Even if the issue is minor, they may be hoping for a response from you.
Though you might feel tempted to give these people your space, do so at your peril. They possess considerable power over you and will take advantage of you if you don’t respond in kind.
They may attempt to intimidate you, so be wary if they do so. Be wary of requests for things which are illegal or uncommon; thus, exercise extreme caution when dealing with these individuals.
