Re: What Is A Karen?

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

I think this silliness will not last. Like "bye Felicia" the name Karen will last for awhile and then disappear, as it should.

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@moonandthestars It has been in a particular news story since Memorial Day. The incident occurred in Central Park so you can Google it; it's been heavily reported in the NY Post. It is a hot topic so best not to go into details here.

kelshar · ‎01-18-2016

Isn't Karen more of a baby boomer name?

Either way, I don't like what's been done to that name. I feel bad for women named Karen.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@moonandthestars wrote:
Wow! I never even heard this before. Where have i been?!! When did it start? Where did it start? Why did it start? Is it based on a movie character?

@moonandthestarsIt seems like it's been around for a while ...not sure how long but I've only just noticed it the last few weeks.

I think it's just nasty!

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@haddon9 wrote:
@Nancy Drew I've been wondering lately too about this. I have a close friend named Karen and I feel sorry for anyone who has the name (like Debbie "Downer" too).

Why all of a sudden the use of Karen as the stereotyped name for an obnoxious middle aged white woman who has three children at home, is entitled and asks to speak to the manage (BTW, most Karens are Boomers and no longer have kids at home) ...at least that's the portrait that I have gotten from reading various sites online about it.

There's even an article in the NY Times on "Karen"!

@haddon9 - Like you, one of my closest friends is Karen. And like others, when I've read this in news articles lately I had no idea what they were talking about. Then after this latest use of it, I kind of figured it out and I'm disgusted.

If another name was used like this by another group we would not stand for this. I think it's terrible people are tolerating it now.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

Rather unfortunate for ladies who were given the lovely name of Karen by their parents. There's a poodle down the street who answers to the name Karen. She seems peppy and friendly.

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@beach-mom. 👍 Well said.

moonandthestars · ‎03-11-2010

Thanks @Pearlee I'll look it up, I guess I took a few days off from the news.

First impression though ... don't like that name being used to profile someone negatively.

Debbie Downer is/was funny (to me) and is very different. It had the two words in the name, was based on a comedic character and skit and obviously did not imply that all debbie's were downers.