Many of us have encountered someone whom people might casually describe as a "Karen": a person who argues with employees, demands special treatment, or seems convinced that the rules don't apply to them. While these encounters can be frustrating for strangers, they can be far more complicated for the people who live with them.
In this post, children and adults who grew up with parents whose behavior was often seen as entitled, confrontational, or difficult share their experiences. From uncomfortable public scenes and awkward interactions to the lasting impact these moments had on their self-esteem, their stories offer a glimpse into what life was like behind closed doors. Keep reading to discover the surprising, frustrating, and sometimes eye-opening realities of growing up in these households.
#21
Lots of nodding along and desperately searching for an opportunity to make a joke that lightens the mood or changes the subject. Very rarely am I asked outright for my thoughts and when I am I make an absurd joke to make it clear I have no interest in discussing it(she asked me how I voted once so I said “I was confused by the ballot so I just checked everything off. That’s what I was supposed to do right?”). I also don’t make a lot of eye contact during those topics, and especially if I’m not the only one there I kind of distance myself a little, engage with my nieces or the dog or something until I hear the topic has changed.
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12points
#22
My stepmom is a certified Karen. Honestly it is mortifying to go anywhere in public with her. We went to Disney last year and she made this huge fuss that we weren’t staying at the freaking Ritz Carlton. Then she loudly complained to the dining cast members at Pop Century (what a dump /s) when they didn’t cook her specialty burger before everyone else’s order. The kicker is that we (my husband and I) footed the bill for a lot of their vacation, but she never once said thank you.
My real mom died of cancer and never would have been such a Karen :-(.
My real mom died of cancer and never would have been such a Karen :-(.
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12points
And that impact can be very real. Research examining customer entitlement found that dealing with highly demanding or disrespectful customers can leave frontline workers feeling stressed, emotionally drained, burned out, and even dehumanized. Think about the cashier who gets yelled at over a coupon, the waiter blamed for a kitchen mistake, or the customer service representative stuck listening to a rant they didn't cause. Most of us have either witnessed or experienced how one difficult interaction can completely change the tone of someone's day. Over time, those experiences can take a significant emotional toll.
#23
I have many patients who are children and their "Karen" mothers are probably the worst part of my job. I feel bad for the kids and husband the most to be honest.
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11points
#24
My dad is a Karen. KFC once forgot to put barbecue sauce in our order and he spent a full half hour writing an angry email. Next time I went in with him to get KFC he had a printout to scan for store credit.
He also enjoys yelling at CS reps on the phone, especially when they're in a foreign call centre. To be fair to him, he yells on the phone even when he's being happy (I can hear him from outside the house) but even if it's not malicious there's no way it doesn't come across that way on the other end.
He also enjoys yelling at CS reps on the phone, especially when they're in a foreign call centre. To be fair to him, he yells on the phone even when he's being happy (I can hear him from outside the house) but even if it's not malicious there's no way it doesn't come across that way on the other end.
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11points
#26
I dont have any social skills because I learned being quiet gets people to leave you alone.
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11points
But perhaps the people most affected are often the ones closest to the person displaying these behaviors. Family members, spouses, friends, and especially children don't just witness these moments occasionally; they may live with them every day. Growing up with a parent who constantly argues, creates public scenes, ignores boundaries, or lashes out at others can be exhausting and sometimes embarrassing. The stories in today's post offer a glimpse into what that experience can be like. So, Pandas, what are your thoughts? Have you ever had to deal with someone who fit this stereotype or perhaps even grown up with a parent like this? Share your experiences in the comments below.
#27
You have to realize no matter how many times you tell them their behavior is wrong or that they’re just wrong in general, it will get you nowhere. I cannot tell you how many times my mom has said some ridiculous s**t and if you say anything other than “yeah I agree” she plays the victim card.
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10points
#28
Infuriating.
Both my mum and dad are awful to shop assistants, despite the fact that I worked in the sector for 20 years. Neither of my parents read shelf signage properly, but if there’s a price discrepancy it’s always the fault of the cashier and they’re very fond of the “YOU’RE not doing your job properly!” argument. Even if it’s a penny difference, they’ll kick off. I’ve seen my mum reduce people to tears before. Mum also uses her disability to her advantage and will scream for the manager, throw the “its because I’m disabled!” Card around and will then be nice as anything when the manager appears. They both shoplift too and see nothing wrong with it.
I’m more than happy to help my parents with their shopping but I have to walk away once they go to pay because it’s so exhausting!
Both my mum and dad are awful to shop assistants, despite the fact that I worked in the sector for 20 years. Neither of my parents read shelf signage properly, but if there’s a price discrepancy it’s always the fault of the cashier and they’re very fond of the “YOU’RE not doing your job properly!” argument. Even if it’s a penny difference, they’ll kick off. I’ve seen my mum reduce people to tears before. Mum also uses her disability to her advantage and will scream for the manager, throw the “its because I’m disabled!” Card around and will then be nice as anything when the manager appears. They both shoplift too and see nothing wrong with it.
I’m more than happy to help my parents with their shopping but I have to walk away once they go to pay because it’s so exhausting!
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10points
#30
When my siblings and I were younger, she was great, but she’s become more insufferable as she’s gotten older. She has two voices: a talking to us voice and a talking to other people voice. Her other people voice is very serial k**ler like. She tells us not to shop at certain stores or stay at certain types of hotels when we travel because they are “ghetto”. She is never EVER wrong. For anything. Even when I tear an argument of hers to shreds, she makes me apologize. I’ve never received an apology from her in my life, even when she’s screamed in my face for absolutely no reason.
She’s not exactly the “let me speak to your manager” type, but she will leave places c**ppy reviews on Google or Facebook if she doesn’t like the service. Speaking of which, she is the queen of Facebook. The first couple months of the pandemic she wouldn’t stop posting about how we all need to go back to living. Now that the protests have started, she’s been ranting about how she didn’t sit in the house for 2 months for it to be ruined by protesters. I’ve had to learn to just ignore it and be thankful I don’t live with her anymore.
It may also be worth mentioning my mom is a second generation Karen. My grandma is the literal textbook definition of Karen. She’s almost 80 years old and I still can’t go to restaurants with her because I never know what she’s going to say or do. My generation’s Karen seems to be my brother. However, my fiancé already knows that if I ever start showing any traits of Karen then he is to immediately put me out of my misery.
She’s not exactly the “let me speak to your manager” type, but she will leave places c**ppy reviews on Google or Facebook if she doesn’t like the service. Speaking of which, she is the queen of Facebook. The first couple months of the pandemic she wouldn’t stop posting about how we all need to go back to living. Now that the protests have started, she’s been ranting about how she didn’t sit in the house for 2 months for it to be ruined by protesters. I’ve had to learn to just ignore it and be thankful I don’t live with her anymore.
It may also be worth mentioning my mom is a second generation Karen. My grandma is the literal textbook definition of Karen. She’s almost 80 years old and I still can’t go to restaurants with her because I never know what she’s going to say or do. My generation’s Karen seems to be my brother. However, my fiancé already knows that if I ever start showing any traits of Karen then he is to immediately put me out of my misery.
8points
#31
My mom is somewhat of a Karen (mostly in regards to restaurants) and I have an anxiety disorder. It's a combination made in hell.
7points
#32
My aunt is a Karen.
Quite frankly, both our families flat out ignore her. She has no relationship with her kids. We didn't realize how much it impacted our lives until we grew up and saw that kind of behavior just makes everyone hate you. The only people that put up with her is Karen's husband and my mom (her sister); even then the marriage is basically done.
The number of times I heard "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," just makes me cringe to look back on. She was so proud of it every time too.
Then I grew up and got a service job and it immediately sunk in: "The squeaky wheel gets replaced; the bare f*****g minimum to just get them to shut up and get out the door, and you remembered from that point on as a problem."
So in the end, everyone hates her; including her own children.
Edit: It should be noted that she's not actually blood related to my mom; they're just that close, my grandma just took her in as a teenager, they're "sisters" as much as it can be and we've always called her "aunt" and her kids are our "cousins." It's just how most of our extended family is. Which in a way makes her and my mom's relationship kind of worse, I guess.
Quite frankly, both our families flat out ignore her. She has no relationship with her kids. We didn't realize how much it impacted our lives until we grew up and saw that kind of behavior just makes everyone hate you. The only people that put up with her is Karen's husband and my mom (her sister); even then the marriage is basically done.
The number of times I heard "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," just makes me cringe to look back on. She was so proud of it every time too.
Then I grew up and got a service job and it immediately sunk in: "The squeaky wheel gets replaced; the bare f*****g minimum to just get them to shut up and get out the door, and you remembered from that point on as a problem."
So in the end, everyone hates her; including her own children.
Edit: It should be noted that she's not actually blood related to my mom; they're just that close, my grandma just took her in as a teenager, they're "sisters" as much as it can be and we've always called her "aunt" and her kids are our "cousins." It's just how most of our extended family is. Which in a way makes her and my mom's relationship kind of worse, I guess.
7points
#33
It's like having a boss more than a mom. A boss who micro manages you from sweeping the floor to eating your pasta. A boss who complains non-stop about anything and everything. A boss who always says bad things to the ceo(dad) behind his back. She never runs out if things to ask you to do. It's a t*****e. I dont even want to talk to her or stay in the same room with her. Thankfully i was able to leave home now. We still fight when i come to visit my parents but it's seldom now coz i dont visit them much.
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7points
#34
My mom will always exaggerate everything. She’s gotta keep up with her friends while they complain about how their kids are doing d***s, shop lifting, sneeking out. My mom talks about how I said the word “c**p” and makes it seem like a cussed out an adult right before m**dering them. I’m almost an adult and I’m not allowed to swear. And yes, the child swear words count too. Any word that can be used as an insult, counts.
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6points
#35
My mom isn't really a full on Karen, but if she is very hungry she gets hangry to a new level, she'll get pissed cause she can't decide what to order then take It out on the waiters. They get a pissy additide from my mom and I feel so bad. I want to apologise to them but then again that would make my mom mad at me.
Also, when she is in public she'll randomly stare at people and be like "Does she not own a hairbrush?" Or some other comment like that, It's exstreamly embarrassing and I want to hide under a rock whenever she does It. I've started telling her to stop but then she gets upset with me like "what they can't hear me?" But I clearly saw them look at you when you said It. Ugg, any advice?
Also, when she is in public she'll randomly stare at people and be like "Does she not own a hairbrush?" Or some other comment like that, It's exstreamly embarrassing and I want to hide under a rock whenever she does It. I've started telling her to stop but then she gets upset with me like "what they can't hear me?" But I clearly saw them look at you when you said It. Ugg, any advice?
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6points
