How to know if you are a 'Karen' as Gen Z pick new name for millennial version
In the past decade, 'Karen' has transformed from a relatively harmless and run-of-the-mill women's name into an insult for anyone who's over privileged and out of touch.
But what exactly is a Karen – and are you at risk of becoming one?
Karen meme explained
Say the name Karen and what springs to mind is likely a middle class, middle-aged woman who loves to complain.
She may or may not have a short, choppy bob with chunky highlights and drive a large SUV despite never leaving her local suburbs, but one thing is for sure. She absolutely loves to voice her opinions on everything and anything.
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Especially if it's unwarranted.
It's hard to tell exactly where the Karen stereotype originated from, with the meme appearing readily-made on the internet around 10 to 15 years ago.
The meme is also understood to have racial undertones in its origins, particularly in the US, as terms such as 'BBQ Becky' and 'Permit Patty' to describe white women who called the police African American families doing innocuous things such as selling water or having a BBQ.
Are you at risk of being considered a Karen?
Nowadays, the name Karen is simply shorthand for a person being needlessly difficult in a social situation. It's also considered to be a genderless insult as well, with men equally capable of exhibiting Karen behaviour.
With that said, what behaviours put you at risk of being considered a Karen?
According to Heather Suzanne Woods, a meme researcher from Kansas State University told The Atlantic that a Karen is someone who can be described as having an 'entitlement, selfishness, a desire to complain'.
Other aspects which mean someone is at risk of acting in a Karen-like manner include:
- Demanding to speak to the manager when not getting their way in retail or hospitality scenarios
- harbours anti-science beliefs (usually formed after reading social media posts)
- Rude or entitled behaviour
And of course, that famous haircut.
"She’s the mom in [US supermarket] Kroger with her kids asking to speak to the manager," one person told Vox when asked to give their definition of a Karen.
If you're worried about being perceived as a Karen and want to avoid the stereotype? Don't worry, it's pretty simple to avoid. Don't yell at customer service workers, don't pick fights with strangers and don't assume everything is a dig at you.
What is the Gen Z version of a Karen?
For anyone out there whose name just happens to be Karen and are worried about being written off as the above, then you'll likely take comfort in the fact that Gen Z have picked out a new name to embody the worst Karen traits – Jessica.
Apologies in advance to all the Jessicas, Jessies or Jesses out there.
Topics: Gen Z, Social Media
Brenna Cooper