If you run a service-based business, chances are you’ve encountered at least one Karen. This pejorative term often describes customers who are rude, entitled and out-of-touch with current events.
How should we handle such customers? Unfortunately, the answer can be complex.
1. Be Patient
Have you ever encountered an angry customer who cannot contain her emotions? Dealing with such customers can be quite a stressful experience, but one effective approach for handling an irate customer is by remaining calm and remaining patient.
Your first instinct may be to avoid them altogether and do nothing, but that would be unwise as they’ll only continue causing problems and may get worse over time if left ignored.
These customers tend to feel entitled and think they’re above the law, demanding refunds or making promises they know won’t come through on. When their demands are not met, they become angry or make complaints, possibly leaving angry remarks behind them.
Karens have become social media superstars in recent months. Many of their videos posted to social media are offensive or inappropriate racially; examples include the “Central Park Karen” who called police on a Black man birdwatching in a park and a “Costco Karen” who was caught throwing tantrums over wearing face masks in Costco.
No matter your circumstances, it’s essential that everyone recognizes patience as an invaluable skill that everyone should pursue. Patience helps manage stress and improve overall mental wellbeing while helping avoid burnout while creating opportunities for improved relationships between people.
Patience can be difficult to master, but with hard work and perseverance it can become easier. Learning patience requires being aware of yourself, others and surroundings – including practicing gratitude which will help find moments of patience throughout your day. Over time patience will pay dividends in making life simpler!
2. Don’t Take It Personal
When dealing with an entitled Karen customer, it’s essential to maintain perspective. While these individuals may appear intimidating or demanding, they might just be upset or have some form of mental illness they need help working through.
They may be acting out of anger or frustration, but that shouldn’t make you feel victimized by their behavior. Most likely they don’t realize how their actions impact others around them or themselves.
There are various strategies you can employ when dealing with an entitled Karen customer, but the key component is not taking anything personally.
“Karen” first gained popularity within the black community as an insult against white women who perpetuate racism to gain power or advance themselves; over time it has also come to encompass anyone acting opulently entitled.
These people tend to be extremely rude and are likely to argue with those of lesser status, take too long in the bathroom, and yell at employees trying to help. Furthermore, they might call the police if they feel unfairly treated.
Service workers or not, you have probably come across entitled people at one point or another. But when their behavior causes anger or frustration it can be hard to know how best to handle them.
At times, unreasonable behavior may make us anxious or provoke negative feelings, but it is essential to remember that each experience is individual and that by treating people with respect and understanding we can reduce any unnecessary drama.
3. Don’t Give In
When dealing with an entitled Karen customer, it’s essential to resist giving in. They may seem like they’re doing everything possible to improve things for you but in reality they’re just leaving you down – be mindful that they won’t change.
They don’t understand the world and live completely within their own bubble, which makes them extremely challenging to deal with. It can be like having an emotionally immature child around who doesn’t know how to express himself or herself properly, which leads to arguments.
Instagram accounts such as @karensgoingwilds have documented videos of this extreme behavior, showing women calling the police on innocent individuals and screaming publically.
Karen is an umbrella term that’s been coined to refer to white women who abuse their privilege and behave inappropriately, such as calling the police on Black men or intimidating others by asking them to touch their hair.
White women have been captured on video engaging in racist microaggressions against Black people. For instance, one such individual threatened a Black person by calling the police when he requested she put his dog on a leash in Central Park.
These situations can be scary to navigate, but they shouldn’t be seen as such a grave matter. If handled well, you might even be able to save their reputation or gain control of your business again!
Karens for Hire has made headlines with its business model that promises justice for customers who feel wronged by companies that treat them unfairly. Services range from $10-100 and their team of “Karens” can represent your interests when communicating on your behalf when dealing with companies who mistreat customers unfairly.
4. Don’t Forget About Your Contracts
Management an entitled Karen is never easy, and can become especially daunting in the service industry. No one wants to get stuck with an entitled customer who lacks customer service skills – luckily there are ways you can keep stress at bay when working with these customers.
First and foremost, remember your contracts. If there is a customer who often takes exception to your efforts at service and takes offense at it, make sure that before engaging in a disagreement they are informed of all relevant terms in their contract.
Example: One customer would often request additional services such as upgrading their drinks or extra refills. While the company could accommodate this request in a timely manner, it would be preferable if this would become part of their routine rather than having to deal with such requests every time they needed something extra.
Be on the lookout for cutting-edge customer service technology, like smart cards. By adopting such innovative tech, service companies can keep their customers happy while protecting both staff and themselves from danger.
5. Don’t Let It Get to You
No matter whether it’s Karen customers or friends of Karens who you deal with, it is crucial not to let their behavior get to you. Remember, they might not be feeling well about something in their lives and you need to keep them at bay rather than let them make you upset.
As tempting as it might be to let an annoying Karen customer pass you by without notice, it is imperative that you stand firm against giving into them when they make themselves known – particularly if your goal is making sales or offering something free like an online game if they follow you on Twitter.
“Karen” is an offensive term that describes white women who demand more than they deserve and use their privilege to do so. It has gained widespread use online to shame those engaging in self-serving or insensitive behaviors, particularly on social media.
This term has even inspired memes referencing it – like Coronavirus Karen who refuses to wear face coverings in stores and disregarding quarantine requirements.
But the exact source of this term remains uncertain; some experts speculate it originates from a Dane Cook comedy special while others contend it’s based on class prejudice and should therefore be avoided.
One Philadelphia community organizer even describes this term as an act of misogyny.
Sex and race play an integral role in shaping this phrase; yet it’s essential to remember that everyone has equal rights. For example, middle-class women protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in Portland were not considered “Karens”.
