Everyone in the hospitality industry knows what a "Karen" is, it's an entitled
person, of any gender, who thinks that they can demand more than any other
customer. A "Karen" looks down on everyone, regardless of race, and usually
sees it as a point of honour to pressurise servers at their chosen spot to see
how far they can push their luck. It is a point of conjecture amongst servers
as to whether or not there is a competition between members of these group of
diners to "Out-Karen" their companions.
"Karen" is synonymous with the "Ladies who lunch" crowd; usually middle-class
white females with no need for employment as they have access to much more
than sustenance money. "Karens" dine out as a form of entertainment; they are
always in a rush; but they don't need to go back to work, they just meander to
another location and continue their oh so stressful lifestyle of continuous
lounging and impulse shopping.
Having worked in the hospitality industry since early 1997 and having worked
in locations all over the nations capital city I would say that the epicentre
for "Karens" is Hampstead. Ricky Gervais described Hampstead residents quite
succinctly in his Netflix special "Humanity" (2018). To clarify, "Karen" is
not the new n-word, it's the old c-word, repackaged for the modern era.
If you dare stand up to a "Karen" you will more than likely be the subject of
a negative online review. A "Karen" lives by the doctrine that the "customer
is always right" regardless of the actual circumstances. Discounts are
demanded, off-menu items are expected. And in addition, it would seem that
every "Karen" has an extensive list of dietary requirements and allergies, not
seen outside of the affluent areas of North London.
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Cheers!
George Sinclair
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/bourbongeorge/
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53841759335&ref=mf
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- Albert Einstein.