Dealing with Karen can be an exhausting experience. However, it’s essential to realize there are ways you can effectively manage these situations.
For instance, if a customer is creating chaos at the cash register and blocking other customers from paying, you should ask them to move elsewhere in your shop so payments can still be processed smoothly.
1. They don’t care about you
Recently, there has been much talk about corporate Karens – those people who frequently voice complaints about their experiences at a company and make life difficult for those working there to deal with them.
One way they’ve made their presence known is through social media. YouTuber Rachel, who posts under the pseudonym CrinkleLuvinASMR to post humorous videos featuring suburban moms, has a popular character named “Karen.”
These characters are funny and endearing, yet something about them seems strangely out of sync. Fictional Karens have been known to take unexpected turns, sometimes even adopting a new identity.
Some of these women don’t consider their names to be offensive, but they do find it strange being labeled a Karen. Sun, from Philadelphia, says the term still makes her uncomfortable even though she knows it isn’t intended to target her directly.
Karen Cooper, who has been an integral part of the internet since its beginnings, remains prominent and making headlines. However, her presence has become more relevant as the country shifts toward racial politics and protests surrounding Black Lives Matter.
The video of Karen in Central Park has sparked a lot of conversation about how one’s name can shape their actions and reactions in various circumstances. Unfortunately, it appears they’re becoming something of mascots for racism and white supremacy – becoming symbols for their oppressors rather than championing equality.
It is essential for us all to remember that how our names are used has an immense impact on how we perceive and experience the world, particularly black and brown people who tend to experience more sexual violence than other races.
Therefore, it’s essential to exercise caution when communicating online with other people. This is particularly pertinent in online forums and social media where information that could be used against you could easily surface.
2. They’re a pawn
Karens have made a major impact on social media in recent years. This trend was undoubtedly spurred by their viral video success, but it also shows how consumers have become more sophisticated in their pursuit of an enjoyable experience. To keep up with customer demands and to reduce cross-contamination risks from patrons, businesses like Starbucks are now requiring their employees to wear masks at all times in their stores.
But it’s not just about how best to serve your customers – you must also be aware of the competition in your space. These tips will help you navigate this minefield and maintain the credibility of your brand.
3. They’re a threat
Corporate Karens can be a real nuisance, particularly in the service industry. If you come across one of these trolls in public, it is essential to know how best to respond.
Corporate Karens are those who seek out the manager when they feel service industry workers don’t treat them fairly. They may also call the police when they feel their privilege has been misused or someone else doesn’t have what they believe they deserve.
White people often act with white privilege and racism, taking advantage of the oppressive power structures in society to harm those of color.
It’s no secret that racism still exists in the US today. Studies show that 66% of Black adults report experiencing discrimination based on their race, while only 25% of White Americans agree.
Research reveals that white women often exhibit racism when interacting with people of color. They may be perceived as inappropriate or rude and may engage in racist microaggressions such as asking to touch their Black friends’ hair.
These actions are associated with the racialized narrative of an entitled white woman harassing service industry workers. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads in the US, we’ve witnessed a resurgence of this racially-charged stereotype.
This explains why we’ve seen an uptick in viral videos featuring Karens and Kens who are frustrated with perceived injustices in public spaces, such as when rules don’t bend to their will. These videos tend to get more clicks than those featuring men due to the toxic female hysteria narrative that still pervades our culture today.
These privileged white people can use their privilege to hurt others without even realizing it. They have nothing to gain by doing so and little to lose by endangering your safety or business reputation. Remain calm and professional at all times; if necessary, be firm yet assertive when responding to an outburst from them.
4. They’re a distraction
Karen may be the Edison of our industry, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The Karen machine boasts many innovative tools like its patent-protected anti-discrimination tummy shredding belt and other technologies that would make even discriminatory employees blush. Of particular note is this longstanding engineering feat which has been in development for four decades – possibly helping explain Karen’s sustained growth over those four decades.
This company began operations as early as 1950 and was acquired by the New York Stock Exchange in the mid-1990s. Since then, it has blossomed into one of America’s largest publicly-traded corporations with over 7,000 employees and 1,300 stores located across five states. Its famous “tummy shredding bra” remains in effect today, along with ten divisions for sales, marketing, and human resources under one roof – helping streamline processes while keeping employees satisfied.
