Community Chat

[SusieQ_2]

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@JaneMarple wrote:

I found out about "Karens" from reading Reddit several months ago. Why that name was picked? I have no idea.

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It originated from the movie "Mean Girls." Karen was one of the plastics. 

[deepwaterdotter]

Has anyone seen the show "Three Busy Debras" on Cartoon Network?  This thread reminds me of the show.  It is a comedic satire on entitled, suburban housewives.  

[Q4u]

First I've heard of it..... my poor SIL, not a baby boomer, considerably younger and the cutest, sweetest, funniest ladty!  She would see the humor in it but would also ask (like me).... why, lol!

[Zernia Rose]

The name is used to signify a person, usually White but other races/nationalities can engage in this behavior, who displays behavior that can have damaging results for African Americans as in calling the police because a Black person is engaged in ordinary behaviors that are legal, not harmful, innocent, and so forth such walking in your neighborhood.  As suggested in a prior comment, google the Central Park Ramble incident in which a White woman calls 911 andpretends to be in danger of a Black man.  Or the recent case this week in which a White woman drowns her grandson and blames it on two Black men.

In short, it is term to signify specific behaviors that are racially charged.  Log onto the Root.com for some examples and commentaries:https://www.theroot.com/search?blogId=1635821517&q=karen&timestamp=1590695808055.  If you are easily offended by profanity, then, you may not want to read these.

[shoekitty]

I hadn't heard this term.  Where have I been!  I had to look it up.  Apparently among other things, a Karen is someone who gives raisins to kids at Halloween.  Lol  enough.  Somehow this term "Karen" isn't a keeper for me

[SuhseK]

I've been vaguely aware of this, but, I've never really paid much attention to it. It's just one of those things that come and go. They tend to fade away, fairly quickly. 

Frankly, I can't imagine anyone, named Karen, being so sensitive, this would truly bother then. To me, that seems an overreaction.  It's not as if, it's personally directed.  

[geezerette]

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@deepwaterdotter wrote:

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.

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@deepwaterdotter 

🤣  👍

[Oznell]

I first heard it about a year ago, @Nancy Drew --  my son worked part time at a nice, "white table cloth" local restaurant.  The pejorative "Karen" was in common use among the wait staff, to indicate a demanding, full-of-herself, not-to-be satisfied customer.  Especially one who likes to appear to have authority, it seems. 

Waiters and waitresses do have to endure a lot of abuse from surly customers, but I still thought it was an unfortunate term.  I've known more than one nice "Karen"!

Lately I've heard it used to describe certain people who like to scold strangers in public.

[tansy]

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@deepwaterdotter wrote:

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.

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Snort😜

[QVCkitty1]

Everyone knows a Karen.