Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Woman Plots The Pettiest Revenge Against ‘Karen’ Who Refused To Move Her Bag From Her Prepaid Train Seat
User submission
3.2K
608.3K

Woman Plots The Pettiest Revenge Against ‘Karen’ Who Refused To Move Her Bag From Her Prepaid Train Seat

ADVERTISEMENT

Usually, when you have a long day of traveling ahead of you, all you want is to plop on your seat and dissociate until you arrive at the destination; however, the problem is that no one’s protected from encountering a certain someone who will try to spoil the plan. 

This Redditor that goes by u/Zulera301 recently took to one of the platform’s communities to recount a story of a similar character (and with a side of revenge) that happened to her almost a decade ago. 

More info: Reddit

Passenger hogs space on a packed overnight train by putting her bag on someone else’s seat

Image credits: OiMax (not the actual photo)

When asked to move her purse, she tells on her seatmate but gets instructed to remove the belongings

Image credits: (Mick Baker)rooster (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Hugh Llewelyn (not the actual photo)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Image source: u/Zulera301

No Karen, I didn’t buy a seat for your bag” – this internet user took to one of Reddit’s communities dedicated to good old ‘Karen’ slander to tell its members a tale of how she handled an entitled train passenger who refused to take her purse off of her paid seat. The post managed to garner over 5.5K upvotes as well as 191 comments discussing the situation. 

Now, it’s likely that many of you have at least once or twice come into contact with a let-me-speak-to-the-manager sort of individual who is really obnoxious and not averse to taking a self-centered approach when engaging with others. The World Wide Web, or its users, to be exact, have spared others the long description and came up with the name “Karen” to sum these folks up. Of course, this slang term is directed towards women; however, “Ken,” the male equivalent, also exists, but it is not as widely used. 

It’s also worth mentioning that a fair share of people are not in awe of this kind of representation as they find that the term feeds into dangerous stereotypes where: A) women who speak out against unfair behavior are crazy, or B) they’re just inherently toxic. 

ADVERTISEMENT

While, for the most part, things that involve “Karens” only tend to cover stories on self-absorbed people without carrying any pejorative undertones, it doesn’t change the fact that some people do indeed use the slang word to degrade women. 

But regardless of your take on the term, the meme has been a thing for what seems like forever, and the stories keep flooding in. Some choose to keep it within their inner circle, while others decide to resort to popular online forums to share their rather interesting experiences – and is there a better platform than Reddit? 

Today’s story was published on the r/F*ckYouKaren subreddit, one of several communities on Reddit devoted to “Karens.” This group was founded in 2017 and already has over 1.5M members. So, without further ado – let’s jump in and discuss what kind of malarkey happened this time! 

Shortly after, she gets a taste of petty revenge as the author decides to play SimCity on her laptop

Image credits: Frederick Dennstedt (not the actual photo)

The story is not all too unusual, as I bet a fair share of you have faced tactless passengers at some point in your lives; however, let’s do a quick recap. 

The author was scheduled for a 14-hour train ride across Utah and Nevada to see family for the holidays. Due to the busyness of the period, the train was full, and every traveler had a seat assigned. Well, upon boarding, u/Zulera301 discovered an older woman was her seatmate, but the catch was that her purse was taking up two seats. Most would think that a little “excuse me” would’ve worked out just fine, but, surprise, surprise, the culprit didn’t get dubbed “Karen” for nothing. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Long story short, the “Karen” in question caused a scene. She demanded to see the woman’s ticket, told her to get lost, and eventually involved an attendant who obviously backed the author and instead ordered the passenger to move her bag. But that’s not the end! 

As a little revenge, the original poster decided to whip out her laptop and play SimCity on mute. Naturally, “Karen” couldn’t contain herself and told on the author yet again, but the universe, and the attendant, really weren’t on her side that day. 

Many commenters didn’t sympathize with u/Zulera301. Perhaps it was the delivery that did it, as the Redditor used a couple of strong statements like “decrepit old woman” and “old hag” and even said that she hoped her ex-seatmate had an “unhappy holiday” literally eight years after the incident took place. 

However, there were also those who praised the woman for the way she handled things. If we think about it, as long as everything said was indeed true, the netizen didn’t disrespect her fellow passenger (not to her face, at least), kept her composure despite being in a fairly uncomfortable situation, and even managed to get back at her in a harmless manner. 

What is your take on this situation? Do you have a “Karen” story to share? 

Fellow online community members shared their thoughts and opinions

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

608Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Start the discussion
Add photo comments
POST
christine-backbay avatar
Uncommon Boston
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Respect is earned, regardless of age. Entitled seniors make me crazy. I have seen seniors demand handicapped people move. One polite older gentleman told me he refuses to sit in handicapped / senior reserved seating because an often a younger senior female will demand the seat. He would rather stand. On a group trip, the airline seats were randomly pre assigned. I ended up in a window. Another member of the tour group demanded I switch because she was older. Nope. She pouted the entire trip if she didn't have the best of everything. We all paid the same amount. I found a group of warm, welcoming, more adventurous travelers to hang out with. They were actually older than the unhappy woman. It is a personal choice. You decide how to treat others. Expecting others to follow your unfair rules isn't fair. Perhaps by giving the issue so much attention, other people will have the confidence to request what they paid for. I doubt any Karen, younger or older, will recognize her behavior.

hannahandpixie avatar
Hannah Bridges
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah see, I would have straight up moved the purse, dropped it in her lap and sat down. When she inevitably complained I'd just look at her like she was insane. Like "This is the seat I paid for? Of course I would sit here? Where else would I possibly sit? Other people paid for those seats?"

raemo avatar
Rae Mo
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See you and me both! I have low tolerance over some ish I've paid for and have no intentions on going back and forth with any passenger to prove it! Move your bag or it will be moved for you regardless of your age.

Load More Replies...
f_drysdale avatar
linnoff avatar
Linnoff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

relatively bright laptop screen on a night train, would make it harder to sleep.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
christine-backbay avatar
Uncommon Boston
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Respect is earned, regardless of age. Entitled seniors make me crazy. I have seen seniors demand handicapped people move. One polite older gentleman told me he refuses to sit in handicapped / senior reserved seating because an often a younger senior female will demand the seat. He would rather stand. On a group trip, the airline seats were randomly pre assigned. I ended up in a window. Another member of the tour group demanded I switch because she was older. Nope. She pouted the entire trip if she didn't have the best of everything. We all paid the same amount. I found a group of warm, welcoming, more adventurous travelers to hang out with. They were actually older than the unhappy woman. It is a personal choice. You decide how to treat others. Expecting others to follow your unfair rules isn't fair. Perhaps by giving the issue so much attention, other people will have the confidence to request what they paid for. I doubt any Karen, younger or older, will recognize her behavior.

hannahandpixie avatar
Hannah Bridges
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah see, I would have straight up moved the purse, dropped it in her lap and sat down. When she inevitably complained I'd just look at her like she was insane. Like "This is the seat I paid for? Of course I would sit here? Where else would I possibly sit? Other people paid for those seats?"

raemo avatar
Rae Mo
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See you and me both! I have low tolerance over some ish I've paid for and have no intentions on going back and forth with any passenger to prove it! Move your bag or it will be moved for you regardless of your age.

Load More Replies...
f_drysdale avatar
linnoff avatar
Linnoff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

relatively bright laptop screen on a night train, would make it harder to sleep.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda