Once upon a time, not so very long ago, people went to see movies in movie theaters. They stood in long lines at the box office and concession stand. They also touched candy boxes and merchandise while in line without even thinking about it. People would even dress up in costume, for Halloween or Marvel premieres. Yet, they could not wear masks, carry shields, or have a handy lightsaber on them.
When I worked at a movie theater, I tore tickets and answered radio calls, while handling a few various customer service issues. To help coworkers know how busy we were, I would count tickets sold for each individual showtime and its corresponding movie. While working at Cinemark, I counted somewhere between 1,000 to at least 3,000 tickets. Yet, of all the tickets I tore for the few thousand people I saw during those days, only one customer I recall could truly be classified as a “Karen.”
I was standing at the podium one day when this “Karen” came up to me and yelled, “Where is your manager?!”
Calmly, I responded and said, “I can get one for you, but first, how may I help?”
“There is a German shepherd dog in my theater. I feel unsafe. I want it out of there!” she screamed.
I explained to her the Cinemark policy of emotional support animals, that they were allowed in our theaters, and that if it was wearing a vest, Cinemark employees weren’t allowed to ask further questions. Then I called a manager, who happened to be nearby, and she explained further. “Karen” then went back to her theater to watch her movie.
A few minutes later, she came back to see me at the podium, circled me, and had what I could only describe as a mental breakdown.
“I was attacked by a German shepherd dog three days ago! I am traumatized! I need to see a manager again right now!” she yelled, as I held my tongue and stood there. I then called for a manager on the radio, saying it was “urgent.”
When a team of managers came down, they talked to “Karen” as she continued to spiral.
“You wouldn’t let people with guns come in here, would you? If I came here in with a gun, would you think that was ok?”
The managers talked to her for a few minutes, waiting for her to calm down. It was a miracle she didn’t leave our theater in a straight jacket. The daughter of “Karen” came down not long after that to say that her mother was mentally ill, that everyone else in the theater was fine, and that the German Shepherd was quiet, wearing an ESA vest, and not being a burden or nuisance to anyone.
An hour or so later, the movie ended, the lights came up, and the ushers arrived and cleaned every seat and every row, so the next round of people that day could come to see that movie as well.
Nowadays, I don’t currently work at a movie theater. Movie theaters are open, but not everywhere, and not to full capacity. Yet, “Karens” and “Kens” still walk this Earth, except now they complain about masks, about COVID-19, and about an assortment of political issues and various other controversies.
Less than a week from now, it will be Election Day. Whether it is on that night, November 4th, or in the days or weeks to come, we shall have either a new president, or the current one will get to stay at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue just a few years longer.
Whatever happens, people will react differently and in a lot of different ways. Some will even revert to “Karen-like” tendencies they showed before COVID-19 and 2020 ever happened.
Can I make a suggestion?
Perhaps now, more than ever, is the time to no longer be a “Karen” or a “Ken.”
Yes, we will have issues. In every place of business, in every walk of life, there will be circumstances with people where wrongs will need to be made right. There will be times where we will need to fight for what is right, even if it is not always a popular thing to do.
Yet, now I believe, is the time to stop complaining about little things. If your burger doesn’t have enough ketchup, if your popcorn does not have enough butter, if you have to wait longer at the doctors office or the grocery store, before asking for a manager or demanding to see a nurse or doctor, remember that the world does not revolve around you. Remember the “essential” workers and everyone who has worked through this pandemic to ensure you are healthy, that you have enough food, everything you need, and even a few material things as well.
In a world that is so chaotic right now, we need to be calm, respectful, and compassionate. In our soon to be post-election 2020 world, no matter who wins, we need to be bringing the joy and hope of Jesus, to a world in dire need of such treasures. We can begin this process, just by appreciating those who serve us everyday.
In the words of Michael Jackson, if we “want to make the world a better place,” we need to “take a look” at ourselves and “make a change.”
Until Next Time,
Jacob McGowen
The Adventures of A Warrior 