Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, “Karens” have been making headlines on social media. From brandishing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters to threatening to spit on a teenage Black teenager, these Karens have shown no apathy when faced with bad behavior.
But if you’re unfamiliar with the term, it can be hard to know which video is the most infamous. So in order to help keep up, we’ve rounded up some of the most viral videos featuring Karens caught on camera in public spaces.
1. Subway Karen
It’s no secret that there has been an uptick in customers throwing temper tantrums at popular food service locations. Thanks to smartphones, these tantrums are usually recorded on video and then shared on social media platforms like TikTok for all to witness.
Recently, Charlie (@charlie_kincade) recorded an encounter with a Subway employee while they were making her sandwich. She was clearly impatient and wanted them to finish making it quickly; however, the employee completely ignored her and continued making other customers’ sandwiches without interrupting.
The video quickly went viral on TikTok, with viewers hailing the Subway worker’s response as an ideal example of how to handle rude customers.
If you’ve ever taken the subway in New York City, chances are you’ve seen arguments and people asking for money. Additionally, racist remarks can put a damper on your commute.
Recently, a lady on the subway was seen spewing an array of racial epithets in a video that went viral on Twitter. According to Hip-Hop Vibe’s report, it appeared she was verbally attacking several Black passengers.
Though these sexism-fueled antics are nothing new, the recent surge of “Karen” has brought them to light in an unprecedented way. While the idea of a white, entitled female using her emotions, fragility, and tears for sexual purposes may seem harmless enough at first glance, this misogynistic sex trope has become a dangerous reminder of America’s long history of racism.
2. Trader Joe’s Karen
Viral Videos of Karens Caught on Camera in Public Places
Viral “Karen” videos have become a trend over the past few months, but critics contend they often lack context which makes them difficult to analyze and edit for dramatic effect. Plus, many of these videos lack authenticity – potentially making them easy targets for manipulation or editing to change the narrative altogether.
Recently, video emerged of a woman being recorded attacking an employee at Trader Joe’s for asking her to wear a mask while shopping. The incident occurred Friday at the new North Hollywood, California location of Trader Joe’s.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, told KABC that while the grocery chain gave her permission to shop without a mask due to health reasons, other customers continued harassing her and asking her the same thing. Ultimately, after an intense confrontation between both parties, the woman went ballistic and yelled at store employees in frustration.
This isn’t the first time a “Karen” has taken an outspoken position on the right to shop without wearing a mask. Indeed, there have been multiple instances of this occurring over the past year.
Despite a firm rebuke from the store manager, she persisted in her attempts to breach through the barrier and enter. Eventually she was escorted out after going too far and breaking through security measures.
This isn’t the first time Trader Joe’s has encountered an activist like “Karen”, taking their anti-mask protests to a new high. In a recently viral video, anti-mask activists were confronted by an employee who was both polite yet firm in his refusal of them. The clip has been viewed more than 570K times on Instagram and more than 8 million times on Twitter.
3. Cafe Karen
“Karen,” an offensive and often racist slang term, has become a popular internet meme to describe certain middle-class white women. These individuals are typically described as blonde, rude and entitled and are known for causing public disturbances when they don’t get what they want.
Karen’s Diner, a novelty restaurant named in honour of the sexist shorthand that has gained notoriety on social media, will open its doors in the UK next month. However, this won’t be its first Karen-themed eatery; an Australian branch already enjoys an enthusiastic following.
Sydney cafe The Karen Cafe capitalizes on the internet trend by offering customers an intentionally unpleasant dining experience. If anyone named Karen comes into the restaurant and shows ID, they’ll even get a free drink! The concept behind this establishment is inspired by internet slang for hard and demanding customers; its staff members tend to be slightly sassier than their actual selves.
This chain has 14 locations across North America, Australia and the UK. They offer an array of beef and chicken burgers, wings, desserts and cocktails for customers to enjoy.
Chelsea, one of their employees, frequently posts videos with customers onto TikTok as a learning tool. However, she added that being caught on camera by someone’s grandma was an unusual experience and has since made her more cautious when speaking with customers.
She stressed the importance of remembering everyone needs food and being patient with customers. At the same time, she wants her employees to treat each customer with respect and dignity.
4. Zombies Karen
Social media is buzzing with a video of one of the most bizarre Karen encounters you’ll ever witness. It features a woman trying to force her way into a bar in Louisiana.
On July 2, Twitter user @sreed101 shared the video “Zombie Karen.” In it, the woman can be seen outside a local bar that she had apparently been booted out of for biting people.
As soon as the door closed, she began throwing herself against the glass, licking at the bar window in an attempt to break in again. Additionally, she screamed racist slurs at the Black man filming her antics.
After nearly two minutes of her ranting lunacy, police finally broke in and took her away – but not before she abandoned her plan to commit suicide.
Karens often act like they’re in a zombie movie.
The original Night of the Living Dead movie featured a minor character named Karen Cooper who was trapped in a Pennsylvania farmhouse during the zombie apocalypse. She was attacked by an army of zombies and later succumbed to her bite. Unfortunately, Karen’s mother Helen was also taken out by Karen when she reanimated, though how exactly this occurred remains uncertain.
Karen Reanimation after murdering her mother and devouring the flesh of her father was confirmed in the remake, directed by John Landis. It featured a very different type of death than before as Karen devoured both men before turning them into zombies. After this second killing, Karen’s parents who had been hiding in the cellar discovered their daughter’s corpse. However, unlike in the original, Karen’s second death was confirmed in this remake as well.
5. Medical Center Karen
In June, Stacy Talbert was caught on camera at a restaurant making dramatic statements about how hungry she felt while waiting for her food. Her ordeal quickly gained notoriety as the “Karen” meme.
This term is often applied to white women who feel entitled and complain about perceived injustices. Many videos like these have been retweeted thousands of times, with critics alleging they lack context and are being weaponized against women.
One of the more iconic viral videos involving a Karen is that of the woman calling the police on her neighbor for writing Black Lives Matter on a wall outside his home. This sparked global protests and civil unrest, ultimately leading to new hate crime legislation in Minnesota. Other examples of obnoxious sub-Karens include a dog park diva who yelled at a man for barking and called police when her dog accidentally strangled him, as well as a road rage jerk who screamed at her driver for being black.
