It is in the nature of things that you often introduce yourself by name when you are new somewhere or meet people you do not know yet. Here in America, you usually introduce yourself by your first name. My name is Karin. With “i”, not with “e”. If you pronounce the name in English, you will not hear any difference between Karin and Karen.

That in itself is no problem. I always say my name is Karin with an i, not an e. Since you don’t hear a difference, I don’t know whether the person who pronounces this name really “thinks” it or not. If someone writes my name then, it is actually already certain that the “i” does not appear in it. I had already thought about whether I should do it like many Asian friends here and just think up a new name. But my name is not as complicated for Americans as many names from Asia. And since I am of the opinion that you have the right to be addressed with your real name, I stick to it. I also have no information about how complicated a name change could be.

Sometimes the American system is fascinatingly efficient for us in various areas (who can file his tax return online, be checked 2 days later and have the calculated refund on his account 7 days later???). And yet sometimes very complicated. I might get into one of the complicated areas when I have to change my name.

That’s why I stick to it.

I don’t like the name myself, it sounds much too old-fashioned, uncool. My mother always liked the name very much and even as a child, when she had a daughter, she wanted to call her Karin. That is ok. I read on a website about first names that some Karins hate their name. Oh dear, such a strong feeling for such a short name. Well that is not so with me.  I can live with this name. As unspectacular as it sounds, there is no way to shorten it or change it in such a way that it becomes a plague.

That is what I always thought until now. Yes, I was sure. I felt safe with my name.

Until I came to America. Americans are generally very kind. This helps to create a nice and friendly atmosphere and makes you forget your own possibly bad mood. When I came to America, I discovered my love for Starbucks (Love has since left me after consistently adding up the revenue I give Starbucks every month).

So almost every day I was there with my own (that’s important, but the topic of garbage shouldn’t be mentioned here now) mug and fetched me delicious cappuccino. Here I made my first and almost daily experience that the young people there reacted with a hesitation (light, short, hardly noticeable, rather only a fleeting impression) to my name. I blamed this on the “i” and “e” problem. I decided to leave the “i” behind (am I a know-it-all and head teacher?) and just leave it at the “e”.

But the hesitation remained. Wherever I introduced myself to Americans (neighbors, school, university, study groups, work groups) the first reaction was a brief hesitation, then a questioning. And then I had forgotten it again.

Until I read an entry on Facebook in a group discussion: “You can call me Karen, but that’s really not ok.” It was the entry of a woman who was not called Karen, but who complained in clear words about dog owners not disposing of their dogs’ stores in the gardens properly. I understood the complaint (I even split), but I did not understand what my name was doing in it.

And then it struck me again and again: I read the “to be a Karen” more and more often.

Now I wanted to know it.

And then I had it. I found the answer on an American website and a very good description. I quote only in excerpts, but literally:

“Karen” is a modern label that we give people who usually have the following characteristics: privileged, racist, selfish, narcissistic, dumb, and conservative, expects everything to be done their way, thinks they’re always right …

So when people say “don’t be a Karen”, they mean don’t be someone who’s character can be described from multiple of my bullet points above. No one likes Karen’s. (Text taken from Olivia Lee, former Part-time Tutor: https://www.quora.com/What-does-don-t-be-a-Karen-mean)”.

There is more on this subject on the internet, but I’ve had enough.

I know that I have now inevitably given food for thought and all those who know me will now wonder which of these characteristics will meet me. I have also thought about this. I just want to emphasize again that my name is Karin, with an “i”.

And: I ask for a kind evaluation – don’t be a Karen, ok?

Addendum: There are different theories where this typing comes from. For those who are interested, look it up on the Internet. Have fun.