Mr. Bean the ProtoKaren
Let’s get this out of the way. I like Mr. Bean. Like maybe too much. I’ve dressed as him for Halloween more than once, I wrote an essay on why he is actually a supervillain(maybe I’ll post it as a bonus), I’ve watched all the episodes both movies and the extra skits dozens of times. Well this time from a customer service lens we’ll discuss why he’s a pirate of the Karen Bean. Please come back.
For the uninitiated, Mr. Bean is a quasisilent character brought to life by Rowan Atkinson. The humor is mostly physical with very little dialogue. Mr. Atkinson’s physicality and facial dexterity bring this absurd being to life. His Popularity was world wide he was interviewed on various talk shows, appeared in commercials across the world, and even appeared in the Olympics opening ceremonies.
A Karen is a customer that demands to speak to the manager, a customer that believes the rules don’t apply to them(Karen is, at least to me, a gender neutral term). in short Karens are bad customers. I seek to convince you through the evidence that Mr. Bean was the ProtoKaren.
“ProtoKaren“ being a term meaning “what Karen’s Aspire to be.
Mr. Bean Doesn’t Wait
Karens hate waiting, they feel entitled to be served immediately, usually appealing to folks in line with “I just need one thing kind of I cut in?” “I’ll be quick I promise!” Think of the scene from ”Me, Myself, and Irene” that drives Jim Carrey over the edge.
Mr. Bean really doesn’t like to wait, even in the hospital where his ailment is clearly less important than the others. Mr. Bean does everything from flipping the number machine to stealing the number off a fully incased cast mummy. He even alters a the number of a boy who can’t see!
Mr. Bean Believes no Areas are Off Limits
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before you’re working in the stockroom and suddenly a wild Karen appears. It’s strange how this always happens Karens appear where they shouldn’t be all the time. ”Employees Only” signs might as well say ”Come on in Karen!” whether its barging into the stockroom to ask questions, ignoring “This register is closed” signs, or galloping through freshly mopped closed off aisles you’re sure to encounter a Karen.
Mr. Bean also has problems ending up where he shouldn’t be. as we see in the clip above even on a skating rink as a shortcut to get to his date. why walk around the rink when you can simply walk across it, eh? Mr. Bean is Cheap
Now let’s be fair no one likes spending too much money, but Karens often use the phrase “it’s cheaper somewhere else!” Or “can I get a discount this is scuffed?” “I had to wait five minutes I should get a discount!”
Mr. Bean Takes this to a whole other level, in the clip above we see Mr. Bean compare Products and prices in a way only he can, opening them all. Counting candies, and even building a low price radar and harassing other customers. A true Karen move.
Mr: Bean Damages Product
The above link is to a full episode and can be used for this entry and the next. Karens like to try things before they buy them. usually not convenient things. like open this appliance build it then try it then decide not to take it. and its understandable, sometimes. Or better yet doing all that then they want a “new” one since the new one you opened for them is now used Question mark.
I called Mr. Bean the ProtoKaren because he tries products beyond the pail. Brushing his teeth with a toothbrush then putting it back to buy the closed one. He peels vegetables to test the vegetable peeler. He brings a literal gish yo check pan sizes. Oh the possibilities he provides to Karens.
Mr. Bean Demands Free Food
The second scene of the above episode is in a restaurant, Karens are tough in stores even tougher in restaurants, demanding free meals. Sending food back, being annoyed a Burger King doesn’t have Filet Mignon.
Mr. Bean of course takes this to the extreme ordering the cheapest meal possible, hiding it, then demanding he get it for free.
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I hope you enjoy the clips as much as I do, binge some Mr Bean if you can. Just remember he’s a Karen.
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