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Karen wants to speak to the manager
By Terri Wiebold
“Karen” is not only the given name of hundreds of thousands of girls and women, it is a name – much to the chagrin of real Karens worldwide – that has become the essence of the latest meme that has taken pop culture and social media by storm.
This is our take on what a “Karen” emoji might look like, if one existed.
Karen as a meme (pronounced mēm) is a stereotypical middle-aged suburban housewife with an asymmetrical bob-style haircut who drives an SUV and demands the universe revolve around her standards. She is entitled, sel sh and boisterous. And yes, she has a propensity to request the manager when she is not satis ed – which is often. So, if your given name is not Karen and you are referred to as such, it is not intended as a compliment. “Okay Karen ...!”
While Karen as an example of a meme with universal reach and staying power, most memes are shorter-lived and far more idiosyncratic. As explained to me by my teenage daughter,
a meme is a funny image that is taken out of context and paired with text to create a joke
or funny statement. It is a sort of cultural shorthand that, like all forms of communication, evolves with those who use it. With Karen, as is the case with many stereotypes, there is
an element of truth hidden in the humor that surrounds it. The possibility of honest self- re ection may be this meme’s only saving grace.
While memes are highly personal to the individuals who create them, they can also be shared and built upon, refashioning the original idea into something else entirely. Or, an image can simply be reposted with a new caption to portray an altered form of it.
“Keep Calm and Carry On” is an example of a meme that started as a simple phrase paired with an image of a British crown and, over time, has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. It has been customized for clubs, organizations and party themes, and it has been printed on
Dear Reader,
How about a last-minute party?
Are you ready? We nd ourselves underscheduled for once, and we’re all just ready to bust out the hospitality. I’m not talking about cleaning the house and hosting a multi-course meal, I’m talking about friendship and togetherness, not entertaining or impressing.
Maybe it is just takeout with another family, appropriately socially distanced and outdoors. How
lucky are we that it’s starting to get warm? Maybe invite some of the neighbors for an impromptu picnic or an ice cream social on a Friday afternoon or a Sunday movie night in the backyard? We’re talking about minimal effort with maximum enjoyment and respecting the new way. Something so simple and fun that folks feel comfortable bringing what pleases them.
Here are some things that may help when you invite some friends over for a not-so-perfectly planned party ... tonight:
Get the music on! I saw some of
the ladies from the neighborhood last year when Ina Garten was in town at the Paramount Theatre. She emphasized this very thing. How are you supposed to know it’s a party
if the house is quiet? I’ll share my favorite new “radio” station with you from Apple Music; if you’ve been in Colorado for a while you’ll recognize The Subdudes. Their radio station is all that and a bag of chips!
Keep everything else low-key. There’s no shame in outsourcing,
and it goes a long way to support local establishments. Break out the menus and everybody order food to be delivered or picked up. Make sure you have music, good lighting, plenty of seats and lots of ice for those whiskey cocktails.
Also, don’t forget to say, “I’m so glad you’re here.” It’s a wonderful thing to say out loud and especially soothing to someone who has shown up early, late or uninvited. Don’t lose sight
of the point of the gathering. Food always tastes better when we share it with the people we love.
Big Love,
Mrs. Abramovitz
This meme was trending as of press time. What would you repost with this image to make it your own?
posters, T-shirts, mugs and other swag.
A meme is a funny image that is taken out of context and paired with text to create a joke or funny statement.
Other memes may be bizarrely obscure, referencing a particular episode of a TV show or movie that aired decades ago, but most memes are created with humor in mind. Often times they proliferate by celebrities and social in uencers, and a quick internet search will reveal the trending memes on any given day.
While Karen is a meme that we in Douglas County may be all too familiar with, she may be a thing of the past before we know it. Have no fear, “Boomer” is waiting in the wings ...