EDITOR:
Recently I had a “Karen” moment I’m not particularly proud about. Today, as I was reading Guy Speckman’s article “Sedition and Snow Fleas,” in the Jan. 13, 2021 edition of the Landmark, this excerpt made me laugh out loud.
Guy wrote “I’m still confused why they call people named Richard “Dick.” But I’m also confused why some people call me “Dick” and my name is not Richard, so I guess I’ll leave that mystery alone.”
It’s Thursday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve, in the afternoon. A significant winter storm warning was out. In our area, we’ve seen New Year’s white-outs before. We headed to Costco to gas up the vehicle and make some last-minute quick purchases.
The place is packed, everyone had the same idea trying to get ready to party later that night. Costco has really big carts, and when it’s busy it gets difficult to maneuver through the throng. For some strange reason I will never understand, people take great joy in meeting and conversing right inside the entry way or main aisles. It creates this annoying traffic jam that under normal circumstances would be mildly irritating.
On this day, a group of three middle aged pudgy men did just that with their carts. Although people were trying to get around them, it became a standstill. One of the guys “noticed” the problem so he moved his cart. However, he made the situation worse instead of better and turned back to continue talking to his buddies.
As he was walking back to his friends, I snapped and yelled after him to move his cart again, he had blocked another aisle. He turned to me and said “Don’t you mean pardon me?” In turn, I yelled back “Pardon me, please move your cart” and as he was scurrying off “HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR.”
On the tip of my tongue, I had almost yelled “HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR, DICK.” It was so close, but as everyone got the hint, it wasn’t needed. It’s absolutely amazing how fast an area can empty, all the shoppers moved away as quickly as possible.
As most people were only picking up a few items, I scurried through the store and got to check out quickly. I did wonder if management was going to pull me aside, but it was too busy.
So, Guy, my mystery is why the name Karen was selected, and if I have missed some tongue in cheek innuendo. I do understand that our nation needs and wants to be kinder and gentler. However, I also believe in standing up to bullying no matter how petty it may seem. I just hope it wasn’t you I was yelling at.
–Carol Clopton
Kansas City in
Platte County
