Discussion of the Day
Karen as an insult
Karen S 84135021-Feb-23
In the forums, I notice a lot of readers type "Karen" as a derogatory stereotype. I am a Karen, and I am getting fed up with society using my name to describe a stereotype. How many readers use it to describe someone?
When I meet new people and tell them my name, I often get the response, "you're one of those Karen's". I don't get upset anymore because I've become use to it being used as an insult.
My saying now is Keep calm and Karen on.
Comments
  • I have never heard of this, I must be living under a rock. Don't let it upset you, it is not worth it. Laugh at it and show them who is the bigger person.
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    • ARE YOU THE KAREN ON 3AW
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      • It refers to any sex that is being obnoxious in a situation, not just a woman. Started over mask wearing when people refused to wear one in stores as required and then morphed into rude and demanding people.
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        • What is a Karen?
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          • You are right on forums and social media you can see that on daily bases. Where is it even come from? My sister-in-law is Karen too and she has the same approach as you. Looks like it's kind of thing for the middle and elder generation
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            • View all 6 replies
            • interesting, do you think it was the middle/older generation that came up with this "thing"?
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            • Kamila PLyn A.
              nah i particularly don't think that but seems to be they "like" to use it. I really don't understand where it even came from at first place.
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            • Lyn A.Kamila P
              interesting I am in the age bracket and have never heard it from any of them, only from my kids age group. Maybe some of those that do use it may think it's the politically correct way of saying someone's a moaner/idiot-not sure
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            • Kamila PLyn A.
              where are you from? I am in south island of nz
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            • Lyn A.Kamila P
              Bay Of Plenty , North Island :)
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            • Kamila PLyn A.
              i see maybe region differences lol
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          • Appreciating the surveyor's sense of humor about something that could likely easily upset someone else w/ the same name.
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            • I think more people should grow up and stop reacting to idiotic behavior, To me this is a sign of immaturity. and lowering your standard to the moronic behaviour, or maybe you have moronic behaviours and encountering others pisses u off. GROW UP and stop acting like a child.. I am assuming you are adult. There are insults everyday from ? beings, so Why sink to their level. live above it.
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              • Yes carry on. I wonder which idiot first decided to stereotype people as a "Karen". And then, I take it, the sheep followed the Judas goat. The notion does not even make sense.
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                • It's just a silly fad. Try not to take offense. If it were me I'd OWN IT..YEP, My name is, Karen and don't mess with me cause I'M A KAREN. !!!
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                  • Often wondered where/how that happened, does anyone know the origins? Guess it's not really any worse than having a first name as a surname. All the Karen's out there don't be so precious as to let it upset you. Life is for living not letting petty things get to you
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                    • I met up with a Karen I have not seen for years. I never thought of the name other than being a person's name like mine being Sue.
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                      • I've Never heard of this in my life! My name is Rochelle and, because my sister couldn't say my name, I went through my entire school years known as Rocky, which I spelled Rockie, and was made fun of (Rocky Mountain, Rocky the flying Squirrel, Rocky G. the fighter, etc. When I graduated, I told everyone never again, my name is Rochelle. Embrace your name, Karen, and look at others for what they are...uneducated.
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                      • Never heard of this
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                        • I prefer Molly.
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                          • Who aside from you has today referred to a snow flake?
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                            • Your name is just a new addition to a long list of stereotypical names: Debbie Downer, Average Joe, Doubting Thomas, Mary Sue, Peeping Tom, Simple Simon, Smart Alec(k) ........
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                            • never heard of this.
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                              • I must mix with the wrong people. I have never heard of it. It is wrong and insulting.
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                                • never heard of it, sorry for those people, ignore them and God Bless You
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                                  • Unless you act like a Karen How can one not of hears or understand the insult kinda like a Kevin
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                                    • I have never heard of the derogatory use of your name the people doing these things should be ashamed Every best wish Robert
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                                      • Unless you constantly put your nose where it don’t belong are a red pencil corrector or shammer is on line or un rightfully call the police due you your racist better then who you point a finger at are a maskabater pusher or jab pusher/ or jabkess shammed your giving name is safe if your any of and more then My example you’ve shame and stained innocent Karen’s who know how to behave
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                                      • Nothing to see here you bunch of Jelly Backs !
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                                        • Gee I must move in the wrong or perhaps right circles as I've never heard of this before. Have a suggestion though, tell the wrong doers that it is actually Kharyn (think I have spelt it correctly), you know the Nordic region of the world, but you spell it as Karen to make it easer for the simpletons who can't think for themselves and can only repeat others' idiocies!
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                                          • Don't worry, it's just another fad
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                                            • fools will be fools, small minds small thoughts, maybe they should have paid more attention at school, then there limp minds might have found better words, good luck Karen
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                                              • years ago there was a cartoon called Mad Margaret My name was Margaret and everyone keep calling me Mad Margaret and I never got upset.
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                                                • My fourth girlfriend was named Margaret and all my mates called her "Mad Margaret".
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                                              • Childish and ridiculous - reminds me of the ad on TV years ago "not happy Jan" all the "Jans" copped it back then. I wonder what name will be pick on next? It looks like some adults have gone back to Kindy!
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                                                • I like the name Karen. People around you are not that clever as you think they are. So forgive them and stay Karen.
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                                                  • Never and it was all because of a silly lady at Bunnings. Time to get over it I think. I like the name Karen and it should never been used in that way. No one's name should be. EVER....
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                                                    • And as role models for the young, it's not setting a good example. We should be teaching kindness not hostility.
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                                                      • It is a form of discrimination. These people may as well target ALL of us baby boomer women whatever our names are. Don't worry millennials et al - your time will came, you will get old just like we have! Those of you who are busy partying, gaming, sponging off your parents, not working to get your own home - you will reap what you sow! As for Karens...your name does not define you! Soldier on!
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                                                        • View all 3 replies
                                                        • You start out criticising discrimination & then go on to characterise millennials et al as "busy partying, gaming, sponging off parents, not working...".
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                                                        • My lovely wife has the name Karen she is always good we've been married nigh on 30 yrs and the best is yet to come.!!!.
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                                                        • IdentifyAsPaul R 936022
                                                          good on you! bless you for loving her and supporting her to be the best woman she can be
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                                                      • iI agree with you Karen, people have no idea sometimes.
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                                                        • well said, I had to ask my granddaughter what you were talking about, but to refine someone by their name because of some else's actions surprises me how unrefined we are as people, you carry on hopefully someone called Kevin might do something stupid online to start another trend
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                                                          • I dislike that phrase
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                                                            • Good attitude, Karen S!
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                                                              • I must admit I use it, but only when it really is needed to draw attention to an entitled woman. Ironically, I have 2 friends named Karen and they are the kindest, sweetest people I know!
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                                                                • Keep on Karening on, that's the way..
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                                                                  • It's so stupid and I hope this pathetic practice dies out soon, My daughter is named Karen and she's finding it very distressing.
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                                                                    • its not nice and its the same as Not happy Jan people will get bored of it
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                                                                      • I have a cousin named Karen and I have never heard of this happening to her or any one else its so rude and crazy I hope it gets better for you these people have no respect
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                                                                        • Great attitude Karen. My brother's wife is named Karen too.
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                                                                          • I don't know who gives people the right to do this, I don't care if they chose Karen, Mary, Betty, John, William or anything else. They have no right whatsoever to use anybody's name in this manner. If I want to tell someone they're below my "lofty" standards, ( for that matter what right have I to consider myself superior), I'd use one of any number of the common use words currently in the language, not somebody's name.
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                                                                            • I think Karen is a lovely name and have never taken up the MEDIA usage of that name
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                                                                              • I have never heard Karen used in that manner and if I had I would have definitely pulled them into line. If that is an indication of their vocabulary then perhaps they need further tuition.
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                                                                                • View all 3 replies
                                                                                • According to Wikipedia; Karen is a slang term for a white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal.
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                                                                                • It shows how vapid wikipedia can be.
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                                                                                • Karen from ColoradoJohn W 577766
                                                                                  Wiki is only telling you what the common definition is...
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                                                                              • I don't think anybody has forgotten "Not happy Jan". And Madge the manicurist? And Kenny who cleans toilets? We have movies just called by a person's name. Evan Almighty. And Harry Potter who ruined it for all the Harrys of the world! There is no escape! I know people with all of these names....
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                                                                                • It the same as people's using the name Joe ie Joe blogs etc
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                                                                                  • You think you have it tough. For five male generations our middle name has been Gay. Learn to laugh at the morons that worry you
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                                                                                    • Never heard of it Karen, nothing wrong with the name, only knew one Karen in my 75 years.
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                                                                                      • Like Sheree T below, I have never heard anyone use a name to refer to someone in a derogatory way. It is interesting that when, in English, we refer to someone in a derogatory way the chances are they will give you the finger or tell you where to go BUT just remember that if you speak another language, for example French, German etc. and you translate that English insult and call a French or German person by the other language it becomes a very serious insult!
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                                                                                        • Could be worse they could also call them Blonde Karens. Other than that bit I have no idea at all of what you are complaining about but then again I do not spend any time at all on Antisocial Media as their only job is to gather data about you so they can on sell you to their advertisers.
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                                                                                          • Amazing how social media is so influential...i feel for you Karen...its ugly and unfair but it could be worse, you could be in the ukraine
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                                                                                            • Keep going Karen, keep going.
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                                                                                              • I wouldn’t like it if my name was Karen
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                                                                                                • It's is used as an insult for sure!
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                                                                                                  • YOU GO, GIRL !!!
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                                                                                                    • Yeah, but try being called "Ching Chong" or "Ling Ling" even though your name isn't that, haha Yeah, Karen is based off a name from a race stereotype. It sucks either way. OR would you rather it be of derogatory origin of slur speech based off your race, that is beyond what Karen is known to do? (E.g Being dehumanized for generations because of Jim Crow vs. Exerting their privilege in Walmart) This is the response of many, many, many People Of Colours' experiences, that have embodied a meme or a stereotype. We express it, because it exists. Truth is carried out through humour. Satire exists. The Jester? What's not okay, is being racist to someone purely on their race. I believe that is the definition of being racist, no? It's okay to express how you feel. Freedom of speech. Yeah, it sucks that the Milliennials and Gen Z are reacting the way that we are now. Yeah, maybe we are doing it in rather cynical ways, that involves making Karens upset. But we can't completely demonize a generation for what they have reacted to in the face of society. To say that, is to undermine the movements of past young generations. Yeah, it sucks to be the focus of such a response to society in the form of a name. But your name will go down in history forever, thanks to the internet. That is the ultimate win to insult. Karens of the future. Reclamation Karen!!!
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                                                                                                      • My first real girlfriend was named Karen. We where together for about 3 years. We are still good friends today and keep in touch 41 years later. My second brief girlfriend for about a year was named Karen. And my third girlfriend was also named Karen. She was and still is a close family friend and we also keep in touch more than 40 years later. These Karens where the smartest and most beautiful friends I have and still have. They where funny, creative and intelligent. And I worked with a girl named Karen, and she was the most sweetest gentle soul you could meet. Well, thats my experience with 'Karens'. Thus that formulated my viewpoint that all Karens are intelligent, funny, creative, sweet gentle souls. Be thankfull that you are a Karen. There should be more of you in the world.
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                                                                                                        • Good for you! Making fun of people is nasty, ugly, and cowardly.
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                                                                                                          • I like it
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                                                                                                            • I know two women of that name. Poles apart in the spectrum of Karenism.
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                                                                                                              • I don't know why some people use names in a negative way. It's cruel and unacceptable.
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                                                                                                                • Hi Karen S I've just recently started posting in this forum, I think you sound really cool with how you deal with random people sterotyping you just because your first name is Karen. Don't sweat on the small things in life, its the big things life we need to worry about such as having enough money for bills, food, rent/mortgage and if you drive car payments. I've lost the amount of times I've had to spell my name or say it because many people like to shorten it which is annoying. If you have a pet dog take him for extra walks that will distract the person from making comments about your name.
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                                                                                                                  • Karen is new to me, I thought it was a name,I guess when you don't read trash, you don't get trash,... When will the human race move on & develop into a smarter more advance species......
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                                                                                                                    • It happens. I was a “Barbie” when I was young. It passes and after a while people go on to something else ?????
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                                                                                                                      • A person with a name such as Karen should not be treated with an insult, nor should it create a nasty image. A name should be treated with respect.A name does not always create the impression or describe the actual individual , bearing in mind everybody with what ever name they have there is the good and bad in them.
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                                                                                                                        • I know a Karen and she is wonderful
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                                                                                                                          • Sadly I think its stupidity and insulting to people named Karen
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                                                                                                                            • Every generation has a name for this, this time its Karen. Last time it was Jan. If you can't laugh at your self your life must be awful.
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                                                                                                                              • I think Karen is a lovely name!
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                                                                                                                                • I guess I don't understand what you are saying, Karen? Are you saying people just randomly use the name Karen as a derogatory stereotype of a bad female? I don't understand. I'VE NEVER IN MY LIFE HEARD ANYONE SAY KAREN UNLESS THEY WERE TALKING TO SOMEONE WITH THAT NAME, SO I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON THAT IS OFFENSIVE. Now as far as first names or last names too, I guess, my name is Gaylen and 30 years ago when I was a grade schooler, the word "gay" back then was not used freely like it is these days, I was called Gay Gaylen unmercifully by my young male classmates who just were as mean as they could be because those age boys were starting to feel good things happening in their bodies and it made them take a positive interest in the girls, but they weren't mature enough yet to show their crushes appropriately, so they were just mean. If a boy was mean to you or chased you or said mean things to you, rest assured he was crushing hard on you. BUT I DIGRESS. I don't get the "Karen" thing. Someone needs to explain it to me. I'm sorry Karen for whatever negative is happening related to your beautiful name. Makes no sense to me so I apologize on behalf of whoever is doing or saying something false or unacceptable about the lovely name Karen.
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                                                                                                                                  • I've never heard of this??? Is it an Aussie thing?
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                                                                                                                                    • Ignore them Karen. I like your name. If they have to use a name instead of an adjective to describe someone it just shows the speaker is brainless.
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                                                                                                                                      • Coming from another repressed minority group (being born in the UK)...I never call anyone Karen unless that is their name...its just a very limited number of Australians...thank goodness we came up with Skip!...they deserved that one!....I started out in Victoria and was the "pom" (among a largely Italian and Greek population) even though I should have been a "jock"....then being transferred to work in South Australia I was suddenly a "bloody Victorian"...PROMOTION AT LAST.....must be an Aussie now!....as George Harrison said all things must pass...once it was Kylie and Sharon...wasn't it?
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                                                                                                                                        • Well said
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                                                                                                                                          • Well said
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                                                                                                                                            • News to me I have never heard Karen/Karin used that way,maybe it depends where you live
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                                                                                                                                              • Karen came about because of the antics of an individual (called Karen) who acted like they were entitled. It is now commonly used to describe someone who acts entitled. She could have had any other name but unfortunately for the Karen's of the world that was her name.
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                                                                                                                                                • I have heard the term but from my experience it has never been used to belittle anyone called Karen in person and certainly not to their face.I also understand there are "Karen" restaurants in Australia? Totally understand why you feel offended but good on you for not letting it upset you anymore, after all it's just a name and doesn't define who you are as a person.
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                                                                                                                                                  • I am sorry to hear this, but I have never heard the name being used in this way
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                                                                                                                                                    • I am also a Karen who is 70 yrs old.as soon as I say my name I have to also say I am not that Karen.now that they have opened up Karen's diner here in Australia more people know what a Karen is.as a few have said in their comments very few Karen's are like that.i can definitely say I do not fit that category. Yes I have come across a couple of woman with the name who are like that but no different if your any other name.it just happens the person who did this chose to use it.hold your head high and be proud your parents gave you that name as I am.
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                                                                                                                                                      • Karen originated as a Danish name, arising from the Greek word Aikaterine, which is believed to mean "pure." Kaja and Katherine are both related Danish names. In French, the name can also mean "clear," though it retains the meaning of "pure" across most other backgrounds. So be proud of your name, Karen!
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                                                                                                                                                        • I really didn’t know this
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                                                                                                                                                          • Don't let idiots get you down. Some people have no idea how to be a considerate human being
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                                                                                                                                                            • Good for you Karen. I have been called Karen because I complained. Not about coffee that wasn't hot enough but because someone pushed in front of me with a very full trolley and then had to try 3 credit cards before she was able to pay. On the other hand I do also ring or tell the manager when I have received good service. It's only fare. So they can call me Karen, I don't care because I don't see it as an insult, I'm standing up for myself and hopefully for others as well, but I do provide positive feedback as well.
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                                                                                                                                                              • You could get yourself one of those new misprint ebay t shirts? Let's get sushi .. Karen ;)
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                                                                                                                                                                • My name is also being used in a negative way. I’m a Debbie, not a “Debbie Downer”. I don’t like my name being used this way but if I complain I’m being negative and a downer. I would like it if people would stop using names in a negative manner.
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                                                                                                                                                                  • I have never even heard of Karen being used as an insult, and if people are using it as one, then they really need to be more intelligent and come up with something a little more creative, using anyone's name as an insult does not make any sense at all. Next time someone uses your name as an insult, just point them in the direction of the nearest dictionary.
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                                                                                                                                                                    • This is the first time I have heard any such thing re name Karen, but then I don't use social media of any sort - maybe that is where it started. Who cares anyway. Just let it go over your head. I would
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                                                                                                                                                                      • Only just saw this time today and have no idea what or whom it’s referring to
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                                                                                                                                                                        • Karen's a nice name. I have a good friend who's named that. I would disregard any negative comments.
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                                                                                                                                                                          • I think it is insulting...Head up high Karen!!
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                                                                                                                                                                            • I find it insulting as well. I am the opposite to what "Karens" are portrayed as, so I do get offended.
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                                                                                                                                                                              • It is insulting to use one name but I think it came about due to a lady saying she was Karen from Brighton who was fed up with walking the same streets during the Melbourne 5km lockdown where no one was allowed to go further than 5km from where they lived.
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                                                                                                                                                                                • I think it’s insulting. I can’t quickly think of another name that carries this kind of baggage.
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                                                                                                                                                                                  • A Karen, defined. Karen is a slang term for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors. As featured in memes, Karen is generally stereotyped as having a blonde bob haircut, asking to speak to retail and restaurant managers to voice complaints or make demands, and being an anti-vaxx, Generation X soccer mom. So, not my opinion, I'm just reporting. I'm sure you are not any of these things.
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                                                                                                                                                                                    • Normally those that get it wrong others who claims not to be while pretending usually are a Karen
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                                                                                                                                                                                  • Some silly journalist started that a while back and it had stuck. It will probably wane in a few years like the statement about young people not being about to afford a mortgage because they waste their money on avocado on toast for breakfast at cafes (or something along that line). I don't seem to hear that one much anymore. Another one, which I loathe but seems to have stuck is, "wont pass the pub test".
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                                                                                                                                                                                    • Well Personally I say karen suck it up. Theyve been calling me "a pauline" forever... get it?
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                                                                                                                                                                                      • I use it for my Daughter as it is her name
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                                                                                                                                                                                        • Sheila, Sheryl, Maude even Susie. Rise above it all. But still. they don't do it to me, anymore. Monty Python is so old hat? Can I say that???
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