Karen Expects ER To Change Rules For Her As She Wants To Eat, Calls Police, Gets A Reality Check

Let’s face facts: entitled people are some of the worst. Power tripping through life like the world owes them a favor, unleashing hellfire on anyone who dares not meet their demands, and generally just being pushy jerks. You know, Karens, basically.

One person turned to an online community to share their story of an ER patient too entitled for her own good and the outrageous demands she started making. When the hospital wouldn’t bend the rules for her, though, things really started going sideways.    

More info: Reddit

Look, there’s nothing wrong with main character energy, but some people just take it way too far

Doctor explaining medical chart to female patient in hospital bed, highlighting Karen patient behavior in ER setting.

Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)

One woman walked into an ER, was seen to after a few hours, and given a bed, since her issues were serious enough that she needed to be admitted to the hospital

Alt text: Karen patient arguing with ER staff while calling the cops after failing to impose her rules in the hospital emergency room

Woman in ER bed during treatment after trying to impose her rules on staff and calling cops when ignored

ALT text: Karen patient arguing with ER staff about her demands before hospital admission, showing frustration and defiance.

Text explaining hospital rules to a Karen patient who disagrees and threatens to leave before treatment is complete.

ER staff explain process to Karen patient who tries to impose rules and is left waiting in ER room for transfer.

Female ER staff wearing a stethoscope attentively speaking to a patient in a hospital setting demonstrating care and authority.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik  (not the actual photo)

She insisted, however, on first going home to have a shower and eat, but the staff explained to her it didn’t work that way, and she could shower and eat once admitted

Text excerpt from a Karen patient in an ER refusing to follow staff rules and leaving against medical advice.

ER staff treating patients while a Karen patient tries to impose rules and calls the cops after being refused treatment

Text excerpt describing a Karen patient returning to the ER demanding specific treatment and rules imposed on staff.

Text explaining ER procedures to Karen patient refusing to follow hospital rules, causing conflict with staff.

Woman labeled as Karen trying to impose her rules on ER staff, calling cops when her demands are denied.

Woman with headset driving a car, appearing frustrated as she tries to impose her rules on ER staff.

Image credits: mart production / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The woman ended up walking out anyway, showing up 4 hours later to demand her bed back, and then calling 911 from inside the hospital when she was refused

Officers responding to a Karen patient trying to impose rules on ER staff before calling the cops on the hospital team.

Karen patient in ER trying to impose rules on staff and calling cops when her demands are not met.

Text describing a Karen patient showing entitlement in the ER, trying to impose her rules and involving the police.

Image credits: joebagd

After unleashing a tirade at the officers when they explained to her that she would need to start the whole process again, the would-be patient just left

The original poster (OP) says the chaos kicked off when one woman walked into the ER and started acting like she was checking into a hotel instead of a hospital. After driving herself in and getting evaluated, doctors determined she needed to be admitted but, instead of agreeing, she announced she was heading home for a shower and a snack.

Staff gently explained (multiple times) that it doesn’t work that way. Leaving meant starting the entire ER process again. She didn’t care. Without telling anyone, she just got up and walked out. Her room was cleaned, filled, and life moved on until, hours later, she strutted back in demanding her old bed like nothing happened. 

When told (once again) she now had to wait like every other patient, she lost it. Her brilliant solution? Calling 911 (from inside the hospital) to demand police force the ER to admit her immediately. Officers arrived, listened to her rant, and calmly repeated the same message; follow the process or head home. Entitlement meets immovable reality.

Eventually, she stormed off again, shocked that neither doctors nor law enforcement would bend the rules to suit her. And honestly? If she could drive home, shower, eat, and come back to fight with half the city, maybe she wasn’t in that bad of shape. Goes to show that, while medical emergencies are common, entitlement just might be the toughest condition to treat.

Stressed ER nurse sitting with hand on forehead as Karen patient tries to impose her rules on hospital staff

Image credits: Drazen Zigic / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Let’s be real: some people just don’t understand they’re not the main character in every situation. When they get a reality check, they literally don’t know what to do, apart from turning up their whine volume. The woman in OP’s story is straight-up entitled, but why? And what’s the best way to deal with people like her? We went looking for answers.

The folks over at BetterHelp break it down: some people believe that when kids are given everything, they ask for without learning how to earn it, it leads them to expect the same treatment once they grow up. On the other hand, certain personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), may lead to a sense of entitlement.  

Although they may come across as having a strong personality or a powerful sense of self-confidence, many entitled people can suffer from personal insecurities. Their attention-seeking behavior can also isolate them from loved ones and coworkers, which can lead to further anguish.

Arlin Cuncic from VeryWellMind explains that, while relationships with entitled people can actually grind down your own sense of self-worth, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, including practicing saying “No.”, setting firm boundaries and consequences for overstepping them, and encouraging them to problem-solve.

Perhaps the woman in OP’s story learned a lesson, perhaps she’s still arguing at another hospital. Either way, we can’t see any ER putting up with a patient bent on breaking reality.

What do you think? Should the woman have been given her room back, or did she get the wake-up call she so obviously needed? Share your thoughts in the comments!

In the comments, readers shared their own experiences with medical events and the things they now do to prepare for them

Text conversation about a hospital ER visit detailing patient concerns and transfer to another department within the hospital.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a chaotic night related to a Karen patient in the ER situation.

Reddit comments discussing experiences with Karen patient trying to impose rules on ER staff and calling the cops.

Text conversation showing a Karen patient with an entitled attitude trying to impose rules on ER staff and calling the cops.

Text post discussing patient tips and advice on hospital stays and interactions with busy ER staff.

Text conversation showing comments about common conflicts in ERs and EMS with a Karen patient trying to impose rules.

Comment discussing patient complaints about ER wait times and calling 911, leading to ambulance and triage procedures.

Screenshot of Reddit comments discussing cops filming in the area related to a Karen patient and ER staff incident.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment thread discussing a Karen patient trying to impose rules on ER staff.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation where a Karen patient tries to impose her rules on ER staff and calls the cops.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!