Karen: the not-so-nice nickname for a middle-aged woman who complains and acts entitled. This slang phrase has gained popularity recently as people attempt to describe such individuals.
It’s also used to denote a particular type of person who uses their white privilege to demand their way. They may display racist gestures such as sporting a “speak to the manager” haircut or engaging in micro-aggressions.
1. Ignore it
When someone calls you a Karen, it’s best to ignore them. They could be seeking attention or making a joke; thus, there’s little chance they are serious about what they are saying.
Karen has become a beloved internet meme, characterizing middle-class white women who exhibit behaviors considered to be evidence of their privilege. These individuals use their influence to disparage service industry workers, criticize police for letting them into Central Park, and engage in racist micro-aggressions.
Karens often abuse others with their privilege, and the only way to combat this is by showing them that they have no power over you in any given scenario. That is why it’s essential to ignore if someone calls you a Karen; doing so will allow you to put them in their place and prevent further abuse.
It is essential to ignore any remarks from someone who called you Karen, as doing so only makes them feel worse about themselves and their actions, especially if they said something rude or offensive.
In some cases, explaining why you disagree with a particular statement can be beneficial, so they understand why they should change their behavior. In addition, doing this allows them to gain perspective on how their actions impact those around them and how they can improve upon it.
2. Don’t get upset
If you’ve spent any time on social media, chances are you’ve encountered the meme of a middle-aged white woman with spiky hair and short blonde highlights referred to as a “Karen.”
For centuries, the Karen archetype has had negative connotations. It’s one of the most commonly used derogatory names in English and has a long-standing legacy, including being used to describe greedy characters like Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.
Many people view this name as an insult and should be avoided. But I don’t believe this to be the case.
I believe it is essential to remember that names have always influenced social norms, including power imbalances and racism. That is why it’s critical to utilize your privilege responsibly and not become a bigot.
There are various reasons why this trend is occurring, but I believe one major factor is the rise of social media usage. As a result, people are seeing more and more women “misbehaving” within the context of patriarchal stereotypes.
That’s why videos of Karens tend to get more clicks on social media than videos of Kens – people enjoy seeing women acting out in ways that remind them of the toxic female hysteria that permeates our culture.
The Karen phenomenon is even more distressing because it primarily involves white, middle-class women misbehaving. However, this issue affects communities worldwide, so it is best not to take this personally.
It is wrong to get annoyed when someone calls you a Karen. However, this is just part of life; hopefully, it will pass quickly.
3. Don’t take it personally
If someone calls you Karen, it’s best not to take it personally. Doing so could escalate the situation and damage your reputation.
“Karen” has become a commonly-used nickname for women who complain and act entitled. Recently, this has been in the news a great deal, and some believe it’s being used as an instrument of misogynistic ally targeting females.
In the US, most women named Karen to come from a middle-class background and are middle-aged or older. Conversely, in the UK, the name is often associated with working-class individuals.
Though it’s easy to write off the name as an innocent internet slur, experts believe deeper underlying issues are at play here. For example, British feminist Julie Bindel recently tweeted that using this term is misogynistic and based on class prejudice.
She suggests Karens are a group of middle-aged white women who feel entitled and angry, leading them to act out against others in an aggressive way. The term can also be applied to white people who demonstrate fear, such as when one harasses a Black person in the park or calls the police on a little girl walking down the sidewalk.
Dealing with a Karen can be intimidating, but there are steps you can take to minimize its influence in your life. Here are some tips from Dani Weller, customer service team leader at Bionic:
First and foremost, don’t take it personally. If someone calls you Karen is abusive or toxic toward you, the best course of action is to ignore them and not allow them to trigger you. Doing this creates a boundary that makes future targeting less likely.
4. Do a correction
Karen has become a derogatory term to describe an entitled white woman who typically acts snobbish, pushy, and prudish. These women can often be seen stalking store clerks, restaurant servers, and city streets in search of control, attention, and the spotlight to flaunt their privilege.
Linguists believe Karen originated in black American culture as a humorous take on real-world racism and oppression. With the rise of the coronavirus, however, its definition has evolved; those who take to social media to mock or treat it as permission for bad behavior is often labeled “Karans.”
Thus, the term has become increasingly common, inspiring a national ad campaign to combat such dangerous behavior. But if you ever encounter one of these self-centered women, don’t panic – there’s nothing to fear!
It’s best to ignore them and try not to become angry. Doing so will help you avoid taking things personally and stop them from harming you.
Be mindful that some people may attempt to cause you harm or discomfort, but remember that their intentions are usually only malicious. For example, they could not understand your slang terms or lack a proper introduction skillset.
If you are concerned that someone might call you a Karen, the best course of action is to correct them politely by saying your name and introducing yourself. Doing this will allow them to see you for who you are and prevent future slurs from being directed at you in future conversations.
5. Make it lighthearted
Karen has become a byword for entitled white women who can be perceived as being somewhat pushy. It has gained widespread adoption, being used to describe everything from harassing skateboarders to screaming at kids for selling lemonade.
No matter your opinion on the name, it’s best to keep things lighthearted when someone calls you Karen. Remember that these catchphrases only last so long, so try your best not to get too upset by them.
One of the primary reasons people are called Karens is when they’re being rude or making a joke about something. When this occurs, it’s best to keep things lighthearted and leave.
Another reason to keep it lighthearted is that the person who called you a Karen may have pointed out some aspect of your behavior that they find unreasonable. So keeping the tone lighthearted won’t seem so serious, and they are less likely to take it personally.
Though a video of a woman in New York City calling the police pretending to be threatened by a Black man who asked her to put her dog on a leash is amusing, it also serves to highlight how dangerous this type of harassment can be for those targeted.
Class prejudice can have devastating consequences for those already in vulnerable positions, deficient wage workers, or employees of minorities who often feel discriminated against.
