If you come across Karen being rude and entitled, your first instinct may be to give her a piece of your mind. But it’s best to keep your cool if you want to avoid the conflict from turning physical.
Entitled people often lack empathy and compassion towards others. They may not apologize for their actions, but typically have low self-esteem and don’t believe that they deserve gratitude for the good things in their life.
1. Don’t Talk About It
Have you ever encountered a video on Facebook US:FB or Twitter of an angry individual, you might recall Karen. Karen is an elderly woman known for being rude, entitled and demanding to “speak to the manager.”
These individuals often act as though they possess special rights or services that others do not enjoy. If someone they perceive as lower status denies them what they feel entitled to, the individual may resort to calling the police for protection.
It’s unclear why this term is being applied in such a derogatory light, but social commentators say it provides an insightful lens to analyze behaviors associated with entitlement, disenfranchisement and/or rage. It can even be useful in recognizing incidents which might not have an explicit race connection but still stem from systemic racism and injustice.
Since the coronavirus spread through America, videos of people refusing to wear face coverings in stores and restaurants have gone viral on social media. Many of these Karens complain about service staff and often demand they speak with the manager.
No matter who it is – people of color or white women – this behavior is indicative of the stress caused by the pandemic and fear of getting sick. It also illustrates a deeper distrust in authority as well as an urge to denigrate others.
These actions often cause a negative reaction from those they’re attacking, leading them to lose control and become very aggressive – which is why Karen may be such a difficult person to deal with due to her rudeness and entitlement.
But there are steps you can take to prevent such an encounter. One of the best methods is setting boundaries – this will protect yourself from attacks and also guarantee others don’t violate your boundaries.
The initial step in setting clear boundaries with friends and family is setting them yourself. Although this can be challenging, if you are honest with yourself about what those limits are and adhere to them consistently, others will more easily respect your boundaries as well.
2. Don’t Give In
Karen can be an obnoxious and entitled individual who makes unreasonable demands. They may even attempt to intimidate you into doing what they wish.
They often resort to calling the police when they don’t get what they want, so keep your cool and remain polite at all times. It is essential not to give in when dealing with this type of person as they will likely try and take out their frustration on you and your business, leading to much harm in the process.
Avoid becoming involved with a rude and entitled Karen by setting your own boundaries. They may feel uncomfortable at first, but eventually they’ll learn to respect your rules and expectations.
As a business owner, one of the best ways to avoid an unpleasant encounter with Karen is having your customers sign contracts before they begin working with you. Doing this reduces the possibility of prolonged arguments or disputes over payments.
Setting realistic expectations for your clients helps you establish realistic outcomes, and guarantees they have a full grasp of your policies, pricing structure and duties before they start working with you.
You can take this chance to inform your clients about the products you offer and how it will benefit them. Establishing trust and creating a lasting relationship is another excellent way to demonstrate your value to them.
Additionally, having a contract in place can be an effective way to deter potential scammers from taking advantage of your business. They may try to leverage you into giving away something free or selling them something illegally.
Another way to safeguard yourself against Karen being rude or entitled is being honest with your customers. In a contract with them, you can share all information regarding your policies and procedures so they understand what they’re getting into when working with you. This way, both of you will know exactly what each other expect from the start.
3. Don’t Make It About You
Karen, a rude and entitled individual, does not recognize their boundaries and is driven solely by her own needs, wants, and desires. Establishing boundaries is essential for mental health and well-being as they protect you from harm, keep you secure, and give you control over your life.
People with toxic personalities will do whatever it takes to push you beyond your limits and break you apart. But if you can set boundaries and stay in control of yourself, this won’t be an issue for you.
However, when this person becomes an integral part of your life or you start feeling like they’re always in your head, setting boundaries and letting go may become harder. That is why it’s best not to make the situation about you with a rude and entitled Karen – as doing so only serves to exacerbate things further.
Particularly when dealing with potential clients, unrealistic expectations can often arise and attempt to push you into doing things against your company policy. Therefore, it is essential that all facts are established prior to beginning any negotiations with Karen.
Another essential step is creating a contract outlining all your policies and pricing before working with any new clients. Not only will this reduce the chance of an extended conflict, but it will give you something concrete to refer back to when dealing with potential Karens.
If you believe she will prolong the encounter, try to end it quickly so both of you don’t experience more suffering. Communicating your concerns calmly and sending her on her way will allow her to leave without causing further harm.
Karen is often used to mock a middle-aged white woman who appears entitled and overconfident. But this character from Mean Girls or Goodfellas is more than just an extension of that; her origins lie deep within historical debates over cisgender white women’s role in upholding racism and classism.
4. Say No
Setting boundaries with a rude and entitled Karen can be challenging, but it’s necessary. Be clear in your no and explain why you feel this situation is not beneficial for both of you – both personally and professionally.
It’s also wise to offer alternatives if possible. For instance, if a coworker invites you out for work drinks at a noisy bar, suggest going somewhere more serene instead. Doing this can help soften the blow of saying no and still maintain an amicable relationship with the person who made the request.
Setting boundaries can be difficult, but it is necessary if you want to maintain health and happiness. Setting limits is especially crucial if you have high stress levels or are dealing with burnout.
You have many tools at your disposal to support mental health, such as taking up meditation or yoga, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating a balanced diet. Doing so will improve your outlook on life and leave you feeling more focused, determined, and organized.
Setting boundaries not only helps your mental health, but it can also prevent conflicts with other people. You can do this by being assertive when speaking to others and saying no to those who try to push you beyond your limits or make you feel bad about yourself.
This is especially beneficial if you have children, as it promotes self-esteem and independence. They will learn that it’s okay to decline an offer when they don’t believe it’s in their best interests.
If you are having difficulty saying no, consider talking to a professional counselor or therapist. A counselor can help identify why it is difficult for you to say no and provide strategies for doing so effectively.
Once you develop these new skills, it’s beneficial to practice them with someone in a safe and supportive environment. Doing so will not only make you better at handling conflict situations but it may also enhance your relationships with others.
One of the primary reasons people avoid saying no is feeling bad about it. However, you can change this by focusing on the positive aspects when saying no.
