TheaterFire

What is the appeal of these Karen Diners?

Posted by swaggerrapptor@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 190 comments

It just feels like a gimmick that would get old quick. Is the food actually any good?

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190 Comments

TangyZizz@reddit

We used to go to Wong Kei’s in London’s China Town for this experience back in the 90s (my favourite memory is the time they made us get up and move to a smaller table halfway through the meal). From a quick look on Yelp, getting insulted by Wong Kei’s staff is still a thing (not everyone seems to realise it’s part of the experience though!) https://m.yelp.com/biz/wong-kei-restaurant-london
View on Reddit #8724139

r-og@reddit

> my favourite memory is the time they made us get up and move to a smaller table halfway through the meal That's funny, I remember Phill Jupitus telling that exact story on QI.
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TangyZizz@reddit

It was a standard Wong Kei’s event!
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rugbyj@reddit

Found Phil's account. Let's inundate him with queries on Simon Amstell to make shit weird.
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Hagler3-16@reddit

Ahhhh memories! Food at Wong-Keis was banging in its own way
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General-Bumblebee180@reddit

that was my first thought too! God I had a fantastic time in '90s London, the bits I can remember
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CardboardChampion@reddit

"Service with a snarl" used to be a big thing in the 90s. You'd provide a quality service but be open and honest about not wanting to be there and only there for the money and how the customers are the enemy. It's a bit of a joke back and forth and using what you know about regulars to rib them in funny ways that keeps them coming. A lot of people find it more refreshing than the fake and overly saccharine service with a smile setups. The problem is, some of the people who remember that sort of thing started franchising it (at least styling like a franchise) and so all of the character you used to get is gone. The appeal remains the same (see what clever stuff someone can roast you with) but the servers no longer know everyone so have to resort to generalities and it's not people being hired for their wit so much as a basic server situation, so they have this setup where you can't say anything back and give a bit of banter. The fun has been taken out in the same way as the pleasantries of service with a smile ruined politeness.
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Mdl8922@reddit

My wife went with her friends for a hen do, they all said it was terrible. They all try too hard, stupid insults & bottom of the barrel sex references, and you're not allowed to say anything back in case you offend them.
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vampyrain@reddit

It's pretty obvious what it does on the tin - why did they still go just to complain that it was in fact, what they chose?
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keep_giving_up@reddit

It was funny at first. But now it’s become a thing for rude people to get a job and not moderate their tempo to the situation. It’s such a dumb business model
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chute_uk@reddit

Yeah I can’t imagine they’re getting a huge amount of repeat custom as it’s a novelty one off experience and after so long the demand will fall of a cliff. Definitely not a business model that’s scalable.
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BrightPinkSea@reddit

I thought the same, go once for the novelty and not again, so hoe do they sustain a business? Same with those cereal cafes that were popping up a few years ago
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Possibly_Famous@reddit

I seem to remember the one in Wales somewhere has now closed and some of the others dotted around went bankrupt I think.
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Lindylaqueen@reddit

It was in Newport. It closed about a month ago but reopened after 3 days as a wine bar with the same decor and staff.
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Possibly_Famous@reddit

lol I don't think I'd have used the same staff ! :)
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LumpyCrumpet687@reddit

The thing about rude people though is that they usually don't know or understand that they're being rude. They're not going to apply to a place where people deliberately act like pricks because they aren't deliberately acting like pricks, they just are pricks. What you've actually got here is a bunch of food service workers trying too hard to act like pricks. So no surprise that you're not going to attract the greatest comedians in history.
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YchYFi@reddit

Well the business in Australia went tmdown under and they closed the ones near me. I don't think the business model is good.
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rtfm-nor@reddit

Aren't all businesses in Australia down under?
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YchYFi@reddit

Oh I didn't realise I did that lol.
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Mdl8922@reddit

They got invited for a hen do mate.
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Tlou3please@reddit

Not being allowed to say anything back kills it for me
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jodorthedwarf@reddit

Honestly, same. Even though I'd know what the gimmick is, I'd still lose my temper and start hurling abuse back. I don't lose my temper, often, but not being allowed to argue with someone who's insulting me would likely make me more angry.
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shiny_gold_nonce@reddit

Lol why would you lose your temper are you literally a 12 year old
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jodorthedwarf@reddit

Because I like a good argument. Not being allowed to respond would just get on my nerves. A good argument is a great thing to experience. Sitting and not being allowed to talk back is the thing that'd annoy me.
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xieghekal@reddit

You have that little self-restraint that in a false scenario in which paid actors are just throwing generic lame insults at you, a service for which you are _paying_, you wouldn't be able to hold back? Jesus. It's like paying to go to a stand-up show, getting offended when the comedian makes a joke you don't like and going off on an abusive rant in the audience (which I've seen happen - not just a simple heckle). As others have said, they are up front about what the service involves - it's not my thing at all, but simply don't go if you're gonna get mad about it. And especially don't go if you're going to actually lose your temper.
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jodorthedwarf@reddit

I just prefer being able to have a conversational argument. A one-sided hurling of abuse, by the staff, would get to me and annoy me, at the very least. As I said, I know I wouldn't enjoy it. At least in a comedy club, you can heckle. Just having to sit there and listen to it without being allowed to respond is the thing that would annoy me.
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MessiahOfMetal@reddit

You can, though, so long as it's not hate speech. They have a list of house rules for customers that also includes "no throwing food".
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Tlou3please@reddit

Oh well in that case that seems reasonable
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PM_ME_UR_SUMMERDRESS@reddit

Oh, so you go to these Karen diners and get insulted, which isn’t really a Karen trait, I don’t think, but can’t say anything back? Seems like it defeats the point somewhat…
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Goldman250@reddit

Wait, you’re not allowed to respond? That’s dumb.
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AonghusMacKilkenny@reddit

You're only allowed to sit there awkwardly laughing
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MessiahOfMetal@reddit

It's incorrect information, you're allowed to so long as you follow the rules about no hate speech or bodyshaming comments.
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Nublett9001@reddit

No body shaming but if you're a man they just trot out small dick jokes like they're going out of fashion.
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ScorpionKing111@reddit

Remind me of that Salt Bae place, I’ve never been but I guess for these type of places it’s all about the hype…until the hype is no longer there
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Twinborn01@reddit

I saw a video of them, and completely miss what a Karen is.
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idunnomattbro@reddit

whats alot funnier, is i speak polish. And i pretend to be just an English tourist and the service is super rude in poland, so you hear them insult you, then near the end of the meal switch to polish, and see the looks on their faces knowing they aint getting a tip
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wildgoldchai@reddit

I’ve seen videos online, I just cringe
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GL510EX@reddit

My wife is a bit of a Karen, I'd love to take her to one of these and not tell her how it works, it would be hilarious.
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Jlaw118@reddit

It’s definitely a fad that will die out soon or just become a plain normal resultant. I’ve never been but I’ve seen clips on TikTok and the acting just seems terrible. And there’s been so much backlash of people jokingly reacting back and then being kicked out
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pyzazaza@reddit

They're pretty upfront about the fact you can't be racist, homophobic or fat shaming, but otherwise you can chat back to them, and they play by the same rules. I went once with a few mates and it was fun, not something we would do twice but still fun
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nokia7110@reddit

Yeah the clips I've seen all the restaurant staff do is a parody of the parody of Kevin off Harry Enfield and Catherine Tate.
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pittapie@reddit

Doubtful, purposefully rude restaurants (where the gimmick is them being rude) has been around since at least the 90s
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bleach1969@reddit

Couldn’t you just go to Frankie & Bennys?
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Accomplished_Week392@reddit

You get treated better in a Karen’s than a Frankie and bennys, plus the food is better.
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Cheapo_Sam@reddit

I dont want to actually be spoken to like shit
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Right-Bat-9100@reddit

The issue I've always had in there is that they don't speak to you at all, could be an empty restaurant in an abandoned shopping centre and they'd still only come to you once an hour
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SlightlyMithed123@reddit

This is incredibly frustrating! I use them quite often for work breakfasts or lunches as they are usually In convenient locations, with parking and not too bad on price but Jesus Christ it’s frustrating when you have to sit for 15+ mins waiting for them to bring a card machine over!
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JoanneKerlot@reddit

And eat shit.
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cgknight1@reddit

What is a Karen diner??? (I am familiar with the term Karen).
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swaggerrapptor@reddit (OP)

So i’ve seen them popping up all over and ones popped up near me. It’s a restaurant where the staff are rude, insult you and slam food on the table. I’ve seen videos and it’s just people shouting for no reason.
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PigeonHurdler@reddit

Cringe
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revvend7783@reddit

Stupid idea IMO. A Karen is a customer. And they kick people out if they give it back.
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cifala@reddit

That’s what bothers me about it - it doesn’t make sense, the Karens are the rude customers, having a rude waitress and calling her a Karen isn’t a thing
View on Reddit #8768327

LumpyCrumpet687@reddit

The "don't give it back" rule is stupid. If I'm going to pay to be insulted then no shit I should be able to shoot back. "Be nice to service staff" doesn't apply when they're calling me a fat cunt for ordering a garlic bread.
View on Reddit #8740675

Bella14LV@reddit

Tourists sites have them everywhere. When I visited the States, a similar one is called "Dick's last resort."
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MessiahOfMetal@reddit

I saw Eddie Hall visit one in Manchester on his YouTube channel, then he went back to work a shift there for another video.
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IsItSnowing_@reddit

That’s basically the appeal. You take a video of it and then get some validation from internet strangers.
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Good-Wallaby-7487@reddit

Meanwhile you're here getting upvotes
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Only_Quote_Simpsons@reddit

I upvoted you and took you to their level
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Good-Wallaby-7487@reddit

Which episode is this?
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jonewer@reddit

So basically a Parisian café?
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Uelele115@reddit

Did they get it from the fawlty towers experience? I don’t mind a John Cleese look a like do that to me, but anyone else seems a bit silly.
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Skorpychan@reddit

Sounds like fast food to me. I'd rather eat somewhere where staff are polite and then shut the fuck up so I can eat in peace.
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Summer_987@reddit

Who the fuck goes to this places - naff as
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AonghusMacKilkenny@reddit

It must actually be incredibly stressful for people that work there. Imagine having to keep the act up for 10+ hours day after day, even with customers pushing your buttons. I bet it's the sort of thing theatre students think will be a bit of fun and get completely burned out in 2 weeks
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CyborgPoo@reddit

The whole Karen thing is American. Assuming this is too.
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AerodynamicHandshake@reddit

Not really, we used to say it here too (or a Susan) long before it became a standard meme.
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CyborgPoo@reddit

I've been around a long time and live all over the country, never heard a "Susan" in my life.
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councilsoda@reddit

Same, only one I've ever heard is a Doris. 60 to 70 year old office worker with absolutely no grasp of technology who good naturedly fucks everything up.
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AerodynamicHandshake@reddit

Karen destroyed Susan twenty years ago. Monopoly established.
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wildskipper@reddit

Typical, old lazy Susan.
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Electrical-Guard9689@reddit

There can be only one
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RavenBoyyy@reddit

I'm pretty sure this place started off in Australia and they only began opening restaurants in the UK after it blew up. I remember the first videos I saw of it were all in the same restaurant in aus (Melbourne I think?).
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YchYFi@reddit

It's an Australian company.
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luna_ofm@reddit

Just do someone can film and put on the internet (sad really)
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just_jason89@reddit

The concept would work if the staff were actually funny with their insults. Although, if you're going and expecting Jimmy Carr level quips you'll be disappointed.
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bruhmoment2157@reddit

It might work in America where customer service is generally good, but in the UK I could get that experience just going down my local McDonald's
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Ok_Macaron5681@reddit

Touch some grass mate
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BruceBannerscucumber@reddit

Customer service isn't bad here and its not good in America. Customer service in the US is fucking irritating. They are practically falling over themselves begging for a tip from you. They are overly familiar and get in your way and don't leave you alone. UK Customer service is perfectly adequate. They bring your food over and leave you to it and will be available if you ask them for something
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Hercules1874@reddit

Except in New York, where customer service is non existent.
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CheesyLala@reddit

>Customer service in the US is fucking irritating. They are practically falling over themselves begging for a tip from you. They are overly familiar and get in your way and don't leave you alone. 100% agree. US Servers will typically lay it on thick about how much it personally matters to them that you have the best experience, as if just saying they care makes it good. Meanwhile they're nowhere to be seen when you want another drink or want to actually pay up and clear off.
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Possibly_Famous@reddit

Yeah no interested I just want to eat my food and provided the grub is good all is well. Not really sure what constitutes "good service" really...I mean the staff just deliver the plates, but I don't half hate it when they've just put the plates down then seconds later they're back with "everything alright?" Dunno love haven't bloody tasted it yet!
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TomLambe@reddit

That's because there's a high number of people that like to/would complain at the end of the meal looking for a freebie/money off. If that check back is done promptly, food being "too cold", "not what I expected" etc. can be rectified. More importantly, when they turn around and complain once they get the bill, you can at least say you asked if everything was ok and they said yes, why is there a problem now and why didn't you say when we could do something about it? I don't work in hospitality anymore but I am scarred from years of it.
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LumpyCrumpet687@reddit

> Customer service in the US is fucking irritating. They are practically falling over themselves begging for a tip from you. They are overly familiar and get in your way and don't leave you alone. To be fair, I spent a good amount of time in my last trip to the US in places like Denny's and I thought the service was about as attentive as it needed to be.
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thefootster@reddit

This is my argument too, I really don't get the whole "good service" thing. I just expect my order to be taken and the food brought to the table, I don't want any chat. And getting those two things right is not "good service" it's just what's necessary for the job to get done.
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BruceBannerscucumber@reddit

I think that's why the Karen diner thing works in the US. It's definitely making a statement about the expectations of service in the states. I think it's one of those cultural phenomenons that hasn't translated that well across the pond. With Brits it's either just a bit of tedious theatrics or it's a bit naff and doesn't go far enough. I think Brits expect it to be very brutal but it just comes across as a bit tame.
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YchYFi@reddit

Karen's Diner is an Australian company as far as I'm aware. They went out of business in Aussie not too long ago.
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bruhmoment2157@reddit

I concede. I live in Toronto now and frankly I don't notice much difference between customer service here and in the UK. It's all reasonably pleasant. America can be a bit over the top, though.
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HereticLaserHaggis@reddit

Preach brother, preach.
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mommabee68@reddit

Im American and I couldn't disagree more. I've never had servers fawn over me and I've never heard anyone say this except foreigners. Normally you'll be hard pressed to get the servers attention if you need anything after they bring your food. My guess is that they may be more friendly to foreigners. And they aren't trying to get a better tip, most feel they are entitled to a tip whether they give good service or not.
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bookishnatasha89@reddit

I work in a restaurant and I think it'd be more tiring and stressful for me to be purposely rude to people than being friendly and personable 🤷‍♀️
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BruceBannerscucumber@reddit

It probably works in America as an ironic statement about their waitstaff being in your face and overly polite and friendly and it flips in on it's head where they are in your face being nasty. It does work on some sort of level and makes fun of the theatrics American servers put on to get a tip. Here it just seems tedious. It's just as forced and disingenuous as overly nice service. Just bring my food out and leave me alone. Yeah it's seem great for about 10 minutes until the novelty wears off and then I can imagine it just gets old very quickly.
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vishbar@reddit

It’s Australian rather than American.
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whoops53@reddit

A Karen Diner is where you go to have food, and the staff basically tear you a new one. I would like to go once, just for novelty, but I wouldn't go regularly. There was a pop up one where I live but missed it. Someone I know went there and said the food was alright, but nothing special. Its the attitude people go for I think.
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Least_Initiative@reddit

i guess its for the same people that heckle at a comedy nights, narcissists who have an insatiable need for attention
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63KK0@reddit

I really hope this novelty goes away.
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Speakane@reddit

Turns out you can get a lot of businesses out a gimmick in a city of 10 million.
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Xandertheokay@reddit

I think they genuinely used to be fun, but it became a bit like the Stanford Prison Experiment. The staff have done absolutely awful things to people (that they say they don't do), including making fun of people's weight, putting bags in people's heads (like dunce hats) and all sorts of awful things. They need to be shut down to be honest.
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BruceBannerscucumber@reddit

If you are going there as someone who is overweight then I think you should expect to be insulted for it. If you are going to be offended or have a thick skin then go somewhere else. Personally I think it will get boring very quickly and it will just become a bit tedious. I've got a thick skin and can take anything they throw at me but I just want to be left alone to eat my food. I don't want to take part in some sort of bullshit theatrics. Yeah it's probably fun when you sit down and order but by the time your main course comes you'll probably be sick of it.
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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

They're aren't actually meant to insult the customers, though. They're just meant to be rude, condescending, and sarcastic. Two incidents come to mind that made headlines. One was a guy who was made fun of being bald. The other was a little girl who was called a "slut" (paraphrasing)
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MessiahOfMetal@reddit

Whoever complained to the papers about those incidents is pretty much a typical Karen. Jesus, do they have tracing paper as skin?
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BruceBannerscucumber@reddit

So you are basically just paying for shit service then, What's the point? I'd expect to get properly roasted and Id be disappointed if I wasn't. Calling kids sluts is maybe a bit far but making fun of a guy for being bald isn't that bad. I can't see this lasting in the UK because British working class humour and banter can be quite harsh and I think a lot of people (especially people after a few drinks) will be expecting that sort of banter. For it to work it needs to be adults only and it needs to be like those drag nights where they are absolutely brutal and genuinely roast people. I would be genuinely disappointed if I paid actual money and it was just bad service (even if it was "ironic") the whole act is just a bit tame if that's all it is. I'd expect to be ridiculed.
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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

Give a search on YouTube to get a better understanding of it.
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BruceBannerscucumber@reddit

I've only really seen it from when Eddie Hall went and they gave him a bit of abuse saying he was fat and not as strong as hapthor (this was after Thor beat his deadlift record). They made him arm wrestle a little kid.
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RavenBoyyy@reddit

I'd normally agree with expecting it if it wasn't stated otherwise but they do have specific rules both clearly displayed online and in store that says they aren't meant to make fun of things like weight, disabilities, sexuality, gender etc. so I understand why people wouldn't expect to be picked on for that. Though luckily as someone in a few of those categories myself I was not picked on for any of those but I have seen other branches pick out those even though they clearly state that they wouldn't do that.
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YchYFi@reddit

They got in trouble in Aussie for accusing a dad of being a paedo and making sexual comments to his child. They have child friendly time before 5pm. https://www.ladbible.com/news/karens-diner-apologises-to-family-lboz-20220729
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teeesstoo@reddit

Any evidence of this or?
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Lily7258@reddit

The food is not good and way overpriced. Unless it’s supposed to be bad as part of the experience? I don’t get it.
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stowberry@reddit

I’ve not been but I would absolutely expect the food to be bad at a place like that, not because it’s part of the bad experience they’re creating but because usually any place that is focussing on novelty aspects neglects the food.
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anonbush234@reddit

Not the food should still be good.
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stowberry@reddit

I didn’t say it shouldn’t, I said I absolutely expect it won’t be.
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javajuicejoe@reddit

I don’t get this. Isn’t the Karen thing more American?
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Tulipcharm@reddit

Purely for the social media likes people get from recording their interactions there
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partywithanf@reddit

That’s the answer right there.
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elbapo@reddit

I dunno but the staff seem happier
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5SSSH@reddit

The whole concept of a "Karen" is a misogynistic American import that I don't think really translates well in the UK.
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TheNathanNS@reddit

Besides, the British already had a term for """karen""" and that is "cow".
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mellonians@reddit

We went to try it out and to wind my wife up as she didn't know what it was - she's a lot classier than me so expects good service! The good- it was a laugh The ok - the food The service - genuinely shit. I know that's the point but if I would like ketchup I expect to get it (at the very least with a ha ha insult. They were fine about getting as good as they got. We were allowed to go off back. The only things they said was off the table was gobbing off about protected characteristics - homophobia/race, sexual, that kind of thing.
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yesnomaybe01@reddit

No interest in going when the staff can say what they want but you can’t clap back at them
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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

Technically they can't say what they want. There's guidelines, they are not meant to get personal. They are just meant to be rude, condescending and sarcastic Say you order a cheeseburger and fries and they'll say something like "oh my. How original" and they'll put the wrong plate in front you (but it is at the right table) so you say you didn't order it and they'll clap back "I don't care" and just walk away. Stuff like that
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anonbush234@reddit

But they are obviously rude. Some of the videos are actually quite rough. Well past rude in my opinion
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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

I agree and that's where the line is crossed, when it shouldn't be
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yesnomaybe01@reddit

I meant the same as what anonbush234 said. Apologies for not being clear
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RavenBoyyy@reddit

I'm pretty sure you're allowed to clap back at them but stick within the rules that they have to follow when insulting you (no racism, homophobia, fatphobia, transphobia, ableism etc.) or at least that was the case when I've been.
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anonbush234@reddit

No, there's been loads of people.compo faced that have clapped back and got kicked out.
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RavenBoyyy@reddit

Huh, never seen that! The one I went to (Birmingham) were fine with our group clapping back and actually kept it going too. We stuck with the same rules they use and there were zero issues. I've seen one video of someone getting kicked out but that's because he started bodyshaming the staff.
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anonbush234@reddit

If you're talking about the Manchester one there's plenty of videos where they are calling people fat too.
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LumpyCrumpet687@reddit

Which is just such fucking low hanging fruit, honestly. If you see a fat person and the only insult you can come up with in relation to that is "you're fat" then all that really tells me is that you're unimaginative.
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RavenBoyyy@reddit

I don't remember what one it was, I saw the video a while ago. I just saw the video of the guy kicking off after being sent out with his wife in the background looking pissed. Either way, neither staff nor customers should be doing that. I'm glad that my experiences were not like that.
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anonbush234@reddit

Yeah it's the Manchester one. There's tonnes of bids where they are calling folk fat.
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RavenBoyyy@reddit

Wow that's a joke that. Why make the rules if they aren't going to stick to them? Ridiculous.
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bad_at_proofs@reddit

I am completely out of the loop here. Wtf is a Karen diner
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cyburn16@reddit

Wong Kei used to be like that according to regulars
View on Reddit #8741188

LondonCycling@reddit

I went to a bird and deer park in Gloucestershire where the staff member treated our whole group like crap (despite the fact we were the only visitors that whole afternoon, and we were a large group), and we bonded over how amusingly bad the service was, to the point that we go back every year. But these Karen Diners are trying far too hard. In all the videos I've seen, it just seems far too cringe. To pull this off I feel like you'd need to hire actors/actresses, at which point you'd need to offer them higher wages, and the food prices would have to go up to unsustainable levels.
View on Reddit #8729834

Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

Personally I feel to pull it off, they need to hire people with quick wit and a creative mind. Also helps if they are an extroverted people person. IMHO the people they hire are the exact opposite
View on Reddit #8731413

LumpyCrumpet687@reddit

Reason is, you're not going to be able to hire people who are genuinely that quick witted for the amount that a casual dining restaurant would be able to pay its staff. Not to say that quick-witted/funny people can't work in casual dining. But that's not why they're there or what they're selected for.
View on Reddit #8741048

LondonCycling@reddit

Yeah that basically. The delay in their quips is far too obvious - it's like you can see the cogs turning as they try and think up some witty insult which turns out to be crap.
View on Reddit #8731488

RPark_International@reddit

There was one in my hometown (Newport), I'd be happy to try it for novelty value, and I'd go just to ask them bizarre/random questions, to catch them off guard a bit! But it was only open for about eight months, too late! Haven't heard from anyone who's been there, if it was funny or lame, but my cousin works in a neighbouring Nandos and told me how they would regularly make basic mistakes (not ordering enough food, being under prepared). But I don't think it's a long term business plan, if you go there once then you probably wouldn't need to go there again, the novelty would wear off. I've heard there's a similar concept in Las Vegas, called Dock's Last Resort, and this sounds more viable as there are plenty of revolving tourists, and I think American staff can play up to be deliberately obnoxious in a funny way, so I'd like to try that one!
View on Reddit #8740762

katie-kaboom@reddit

At a guess, they're like the places that specialise in Instagram food. Fun once for the lols and the snaps, but no one's going back unless forced to.
View on Reddit #8740228

CatFoodBeerAndGlue@reddit

>It just feels like a gimmick that would get old quick. You answered your own question. It's a gimmick. You go once, have a chuckle and that's that. It isn't that deep.
View on Reddit #8739966

thefinalfurlong@reddit

I've been to Ed Debevic's in Chicago, although I knew what I was getting into. Food was good and the experience was fun. I think Karen is quite the exaggeration, it's more playful than outright insulting. Actually refreshing compared to the normal overly sweet American service.
View on Reddit #8738832

CatsCoffeeCurls@reddit

I've not been, but it's on the try once list just for the laugh and experience. Probably a one off and that's it kind of thing - can't see it being worth repeating.
View on Reddit #8738122

MarcoJono@reddit

It’s not my cup of tea but I can see how me and my friends or family would get a laugh out of going at least once. Lighten up people.
View on Reddit #8737281

FilmFan81@reddit

Not a lot, hence why the business is in financial shit.
View on Reddit #8737155

Mysterious-Mountains@reddit

Seems like very neurotypical humour, I cringe at the idea
View on Reddit #8736290

_Taggerung_@reddit

As an introvert it sounds like my worst nightmare. I dont really even like regular waiters/waitresses, nothing personal I just dont like being talked to when Im trying to eat food.
View on Reddit #8736091

TrifectaOfSquish@reddit

It's aimed at people who are secretly in to being subs and/or humilated but don't feel comfortable just saying so to their partners
View on Reddit #8725867

anonbush234@reddit

Just tell her mate
View on Reddit #8735655

Tlou3please@reddit

I've never been to one but I can imagine it being a real laugh with some mates and a few drinks.
View on Reddit #8735553

yawstoopid@reddit

I feel like this sort of place appeals to this friendship groups where the friendship is on a more surface superficial level, and these places provide the 'personality' their friendship group is missing. It gives them something to giggle and laugh at and it becomes the thing to fill in the gaps of silence when the conversation lulls.
View on Reddit #8734679

RavenBoyyy@reddit

I've been twice and it's pretty much just for a laugh really. It does get old quickly though and I don't plan on going back. The first time I went was with a friend before a concert. We saw it in town after both seeing it on tiktok and since we were looking for somewhere to grab lunch, we went in. That time it was so busy that we didn't get much of the experience focussed on us. It was still hilarious getting to watch other people get grilled and forced to stand up to be publicly humiliated. The food was good though, amazing chicken wings. We found it funny though a bit shocking too because it just feels so wrong to be sworn at and hurled abuse by restaurant staff but it was pretty fun. The second time we went was on my younger brother's birthday as he wanted to go and that was a much more fun experience as the restaurant was empty except for three groups of people (we went during school and work times for early lunch) and since it was my brother's birthday, he got a lot of the focus on him. This time we all participated and actually got involved in the conversations with staff more instead of just sitting there shocked and laughing like the time me and my friend went, now that was fun. We got called up to play different games and made to do ridiculous things such as catwalks to wildly inappropriate songs, animal impressions and karaoke. The staff were good at their job too, getting other tables involved with eachother and even practically dragging my brother along to do the games (he got embarrassed and just stood there like a melon). Even the chef started getting involved the second time I went. We also all enjoyed the food and their milkshakes are actually really good. But overall it's one of those things where it does get old fast and I'd rather not go back again any time too soon because the novelty has worn off. Maybe I'd go back with some different people to see their reactions but honestly I'm bored of it now. It's also not very cheap since you're paying for the extra service in the price of the food so it's definitely a once or twice kind of thing. The food was nice, the experience was interesting and fun to try out and they're good at getting everyone involved but you have to have a certain sense of humour and thick skin to manage it because they can and will be brutal sometimes.
View on Reddit #8734222

Sivear@reddit

I’d seen the odd video of one of the diners in Australia and thought ‘huh, that’s a different idea’. Just watched some of the UK ones and it’s cringy as fuck. It doesn’t seem funny and it’s just embarrassing. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of banter but this is try hard and desperate to get a laugh. Maybe I’m just old.
View on Reddit #8733604

HomeInTheMeadow@reddit

I really can't fathom it. Apart from anything else (and I know this isn't a popular opinion and people always hate me for having it) I object to the term 'Karen'. I think it's both misogynist and racist. People are like 'No no you can have black Karens and male Karens' but let's stop kidding ourselves can we? When you say 'she was a Karen', everybody immediately pictures a white woman. And now there's a restaurant named after this misogynist racist stereotype and we're all supposed to take it as a *joke*? I'm outraged by it to tell you the truth. What type of person would ever go to a place like this?
View on Reddit #8733336

Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

Personally. I don’t get it. I find it cringe and not funny. It’s not even offensive. It’s just… eh.
View on Reddit #8732961

Slobbadobbavich@reddit

I thought they'd gone bust already.
View on Reddit #8726100

811545b2-4ff7-4041@reddit

They have in Australia, where they started. I believe they're now opening a chain of 'broadway diner' style restaurants
View on Reddit #8732628

Beanruz@reddit

We once went as a work team for dinner, I didn't get it either if I'm honest, rhe food was shit. It wasn't entertaining and the whole atmosphere was just lame. Someone actually found some hair in their food and we complained, best thing about the entire evening wad them "coming out of character" once they realised we weren't doing a bit back... I found that whole concept confusing, why would I pretend to find some hair in my food ay Karen's diner?
View on Reddit #8732591

RainbowPenguin1000@reddit

People can say they want and post TikTok’s and Instagram pics for people online to like so they feel like they’ve done something worthwhile with their lives.
View on Reddit #8732346

vampyrain@reddit

Like anywhere, from Ramsey to Salt Bae to those places where kids can play, eat and be entertained by teens in mascot costumes. Novelty.
View on Reddit #8731951

Outcasted_introvert@reddit

Novelty. I suspect they will be short lived.
View on Reddit #8731886

Illwillfuture@reddit

To get 2bit YouTubers some views.
View on Reddit #8731730

Socodi0@reddit

I’ve been to the one in Brighton. Actually really good experience. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a place to visit regularly, but it was a funny enough experience (especially if you join in and give some back) and you know what? The chefs did an excellent job, the food we had was lovely!
View on Reddit #8731688

BringBackFatMac@reddit

There was (is?) a Chinese restaurant in London that did essentially the same thing. Greeted customers rudely, rushed customers when taking orders, moved customers half way through their meals to different tables, etc. Can’t remember the name but they were very successful. At the end of the day it’s as much of an attraction as it is a restaurant. Not somewhere you eat often, but somewhere that regularly gets lots of new customers because of its reputation. Same with the Karen diners.
View on Reddit #8728235

filthythedog@reddit

I went to a Chinese like that once in the eighties, in London. I think it was called the Wan King (seriously!) and was in, or near, Leicester Square.
View on Reddit #8729888

iceandlime@reddit

You’re thinking of Wong Kei. Still there.
View on Reddit #8731201

AdministrativeLaugh2@reddit

It’s strange because a “Karen” is a customer who complains, not a waitress who is rude to you. Anyway, there’s a place in San Diego that does this called Dick’s and it’s a lot of fun. They don’t try too hard to be dicks and they give you “bad” service that’s still actually good service. The food is pretty good and the whole experience is great
View on Reddit #8731109

BrotherBrutha@reddit

The "Wong Kei" Chinese restaurant near Leicester Square in London was famous for its bad tempered staff in years gone by. This was well before online videos etc..... It used to be quite fun to go there after a few pints in the pub. I remember a dish being taken out from under my nose as I had a prawn on the way to my mouth and being told only "wrong table". And a friend being told to piss off when asking where the toilets were. Also a chef brandishing a large knife at a customer for some reason I don't recall now. Sadly it pretty much stopped around 2001 or so from what I understand and is now a "normal" restaurant.
View on Reddit #8730953

Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

After a lifetime of bullying, domestic abuse and toxic friendships, I couldn't hack going to one of these places. I'd lose my shit
View on Reddit #8730918

FaithWandering@reddit

Way more people have a humiliation kink than you (or they) realise.
View on Reddit #8730629

Dom-in-ants@reddit

It’s a posh yet familiar experience for council estate heads
View on Reddit #8729691

Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit

The one in Newport only stayed open for a few months so I don't think there was much appeal here.
View on Reddit #8729618

PlaneScaling@reddit

Inadvertently walked into one in Chicago. We looked in the window when we were walking past and the food looked great. The waitress was acting a bit weird before taking us to our table. Not insulting, just weird. Then when we got to the table the waitress put two menus down on the table. As we were sitting down she then slid them onto the floor and walked off. We were completely baffled by the behaviour. Not insulted or offended, just really confused. We decided to leave and go elsewhere. Later we realised it was a Karen Diner. But we then had the same question as you - why would anyone choose that? Sure it’s a bit quirky, but we didn’t find it amusing or particularly fun. And in our case it cost them our business. And we didn’t get to try the delicious looking food. It just seemed like a lose lose scenario
View on Reddit #8724564

stowberry@reddit

It’s only for people who know about it already & go for that experience as a “laugh” specially.
View on Reddit #8729502

UpThem@reddit

Excruciating social media content.
View on Reddit #8728209

BigBuki@reddit

You can literally get the same experience working in customer services while eating
View on Reddit #8727654

UnexpectedRanting@reddit

Been to one, was exactly what I expected, never went back.
View on Reddit #8726567

seven-cents@reddit

Novelty. Rich people's night out.
View on Reddit #8726486

mmeeplechase@reddit

I guess it’s different, so maybe people are just really bored with their normal lives and desperate for *something* to talk about…? It’d make more sense to me if the insults were especially creative and it were more of a comedy show, but I think most of them are just generically rude, which doesn’t sound fun to me at all 🤷‍♀️
View on Reddit #8726133

Middle-Hour-2364@reddit

They've always been a thing round our way, I know plenty of greasy spoons where they don't actually say 'eres your fucking food' when they slam it down in front of you, but it's heavily implied by their face
View on Reddit #8725775

SuicidalSparky@reddit

Because it's something different. Same reason I visit TGI once a year. I don't want to eat there all the time but it's fun once in a while.
View on Reddit #8725501

Good-Wallaby-7487@reddit

They do it, custom dries up, they revamp and come back as something else
View on Reddit #8724828

063464619@reddit

I don't understand it either. From what I've seen, the food looks OK. TGI's - style meat n' such, big portions, probably acceptable quality. But the whole Karen thing doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.
View on Reddit #8724809

pintperson@reddit

No idea but they are popular. My local pub does them once a month and they’re always fully booked. I don’t understand the appeal but I guess people are always looking for something new to try.
View on Reddit #8719336

thesimpsonsthemetune@reddit

It's basically an immersive comedy experience, isn't it?
View on Reddit #8719027

idontlikemondays321@reddit

I think I’d cry
View on Reddit #8718703

Sleepyllama23@reddit

I don’t eat out very often so when I do I like it to be a nice relaxing experience. Being shouted at, even as an act sounds stressful!
View on Reddit #8718377

WoodyManic@reddit

What is a Karen diner?
View on Reddit #8715549

movienerd7042@reddit

A restaurant where the gimmick is that the staff are really rude and shout at you/yell at you
View on Reddit #8716305

TitferAndDaisies@reddit

I went to a place like that in....Chicago I think it was, fifteen years ago.
View on Reddit #8716659

Slight-Influence-581@reddit

It's a master/slave, BDSM kink which many people have existing inertly in their psyche due to childhood parental and educational issues.
View on Reddit #8715475