Karen Sighting (a true story)

[Nancy OShea]

Most people in my community are sane but every now & then we sight a Karen.  A few days ago, I got an earful of a 20-ish Karen at the doctor's office.  This Karen had just been seen by another physician and went to the front desk to complain about her experience.  Karen continued, "I am NOT satisfied, he didn't listen to a single word I said!  He did all the talking, I couldn't get a word in." 

I elbowed my husband whose nose was in his tablet.  I whispered, "look, a Karen."  He put down his tablet and scanned the waiting room. "Where?" he whispered back.  I said, "there" pointing at the front desk.

The one-way conversation continued as Karen persisted, telling the medical receptionist that doctor X didn't know what he was talking about.  "Water is healthy, am I right?  I like to drink lots of water. That's a good thing, right?  I'm more educated than you think. I took first year biology in college, you know?  Water is essential, 70% of our bodies are made of water, am I right?  He told me to stop.  I'm not going to stop.  I like water. Just because he thinks it's bad for me doesn't make him right. I know I'm right, he's wrong."  The medical receptionist politely said nothing, her eyes half-glazed over in total disinterest.  Just then the nurse came out & called my name.

I didn't get to see how it ended.  But my husband informed me later that Karen droned on for several more minutes  before finally giving up & slapping her hand on the counter proclaiming  "nothing is going to be done about this?!"  When the receptionist shrugged saying nothing, Karen turned around angrily and stormed out the front door.

Out of curiosity, I later looked up overhydration.  Most average healthy adults require 78-100 oz of water from foods & beverages per day.  But if your kidneys can't handle that much, you could be at risk for water toxicity or hyponatremia.  The symptoms are very similar to the opposite condition, dehydration.  They include swelling, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, confusion & disorientation.  And in extreme cases both conditions can cause loss of consciousness.

[Abambo]

Nice story. I like it. Both the drowning person and the person dying of thirst will probably have their problems understanding this person's problems. I had to look up “a Karen” by the way! 😄

Water is chemical: H₂O! You should not ingest chemistry. Chemistry is unhealthy. That's why I drink beer! A beer is like a meal. Only you haven't drunk anything with it yet.

[Luke Jennings3]

We have all seen people who are angry, it's a normal part of human behavior. This young woman may be suffering from mental health issues, or was having a really bad day, at any rate, she should see a therapist.

It is very distressing to see someone acting "entitled", particularly when they try to get someone in trouble or call the police.

[Jill_C]

or standing in a doctor's office loudly stating that she knows more about the subject than he does....

[Nancy OShea]

Yup.  1 year of biology vs 10-14 years of training & residency.