Picture this: You’re on the way to the cash register. You decide the self-checkout line is too long and opt for traditional checkout. Pulling your cart into the line, you look up to find the lady in front of you loudly demanding to see a manager. You quickly deem the woman’s behavior “Karen-like” and hope the altercation will end quickly.
Tantrums that people subject service workers (and the general public) to are all too familiar in this day and age. The number of these scenes has always been concerning, and it is believed their increase is largely due to the pandemic. The general public didn’t expect the pandemic to take the path that it did. We were all told that we were only going to stay at home for two weeks and after that period was up, we would resume our lives as usual. Two weeks turned into months, and those months turned into years. Over two years of isolation, separation and total seclusion.
It was every person for themselves.
The pandemic weakened and broke bonds between communities, families and friends as focuses shifted from “we” to “me.” Life became centered around self-preservation.
What can I do to keep myself safe?
How can I put myself first, even if it means someone loses out?
How can I care more about myself during this time?
A good example of this line of thinking is the toilet paper shortage that occurred early in the pandemic. People initially thought that the lack of toilet paper was a supply chain issue but it turned out that people were panic-buying and hoarding toilet paper. There was a general nervousness from consumers as they bought toilet paper; it was almost as though they would never be able to buy toilet paper again. People focused on putting themselves first even if it meant that someone else lost out on, in this case, toilet paper.
Almost five years since the pandemic first started, this self-preservation and protection has carried on and evolved into self-centeredness and entitlement. Individuals, still wanting the best for themselves, believe that they deserve more than others and expect preferential treatment, often leading to “Karen-like” behavior, which can involve a sense of entitlement, a willingness and desire to complain and a self-centered approach to interacting with others.
Although wanting the best for yourself is not a crime, the things you desire shouldn’t come at the expense of someone else. Kindness is simple to bestow upon others, and a little goes a long way. Showing appreciation for service workers, shooting a smile to the person on the opposite side of the sidewalk, and even giving people compliments are all great ways of turning “me” into “we,” spending more time centered on the things outside of the self.
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:31, NIV
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.