The Karen Myth is Dead: The Real Complaints Are Coming From Johns and Lisas
For years, we've been conditioned to blame women named Karen for every entitled complaint and public meltdown. But a new study completely dismantles this stereotype. Turns out, the real drama queens and kings aren’t Karens—they’re Johns and Lisas. It's time to rethink who’s really behind the endless waves of negative reviews and customer complaints.
1. The Misleading "Karen" Stereotype
For years, the media has depicted women named Karen as entitled, demanding, and quick to escalate minor issues, often insisting on speaking to the manager. This stereotype has unfairly associated the name with those who cause unnecessary drama. But is this really the full picture?
2. New Research Exposes the Truth
A recent study by Trustpilot reveals that the real complainers aren’t women named Karen, but men named John. In fact, "John" leads the charge when it comes to leaving negative one-star reviews. Trustpilot’s findings show that John appears most often in reviews across categories like Business Services, Electronics, Shopping, and Money & Insurance. Interestingly, women named "Lisa" are the ones leaving the most negative reviews in the Beauty and Wellbeing category.
3. The Harmful Effects of the Stereotype
The "Karen" stereotype isn’t just inaccurate—it’s harmful. It unfairly targets people with the name Karen while ignoring the true culprits. This stereotype also carries racist, sexist, and ageist implications, contributing to a broader and unjust narrative.
4. Why People Complain
Psychologist William Berry explains in Psychology Today that complaining serves several psychological functions. It provides an ego boost, validating one’s feelings and creating a sense of superiority. Complaining can also foster connections, as people bond over shared grievances. Additionally, our brains are naturally wired to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones, which makes complaining easier than finding reasons to be thankful.
5. The Real Drama Makers: John and Lisa
Instead of blaming "Karens," we should be focusing on "Johns" and "Lisas." They are the ones most responsible for driving negative reviews and complaints. The stereotype has it all wrong, and it's time we re-evaluate who the real drama makers are.
Conclusion:
The name “Karen” has been unfairly linked to entitled complainers. Research, however, shows that men named John and women named Lisa are more likely to be the true culprits. It’s time to move past this outdated stereotype and start holding the right people accountable.