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#trending: Social media abuzz over possible Karen’s Diner pop-up in S'pore but some wary of 'rude service' concept

SINGAPORE — Social media users are abuzz over news that restaurant chain Karen's Diner, famous for its "great burgers and rude service" offering, may be opening a pop-up store here. Some predict it will do poorly here as Singaporeans are "too sensitive" to appreciate the joke.

Karen’s Diner is a 1960s-style American restaurant that has gone viral on TikTok for its deliberately nasty service.

Karen’s Diner is a 1960s-style American restaurant that has gone viral on TikTok for its deliberately nasty service.

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  • Social media users are buzzing over news that Karen’s Diner may be opening a pop-up store in Singapore
  • The viral American-style restaurant is infamous for its rude service
  • Some users predict that the restaurant chain will not be received well here because Singaporeans are “too sensitive”
  • Others hoped that the experience can be "localised" to feature ah lians or enciks
  • However, a latest report states that news of the pop-up may be "premature"

SINGAPORE — Social media users are abuzz over news that restaurant chain Karen's Diner, famous for its "great burgers and rude service" offering, may be opening a pop-up store here. Some predict it will do poorly here as Singaporeans are "too sensitive" to appreciate the joke.

For those yet to catch on, Karen’s Diner is a 1960s-style American restaurant that has gone viral on TikTok for its deliberately nasty service. Sassy and impatient wait staff hurl insults and abusive comments at patrons as part of the experience.

In recent years, the term “Karen” has been popularised by Gen Zs to refer to middle-aged women, typically Caucasian, who exhibit rude and entitled behaviour stemming from privilege. Karen-like antics include belittling service staff and demanding to speak to the manager.

The quirky diner first opened its doors in Sydney, Australia last year and has now spawned franchises in cities across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

News of a pop-up store coming to Singapore was met with a mix of excitement and skepticism on social media.

Some Facebook users claimed that Singaporeans “get offended easily” and are “too sensitive” to be able to appreciate the diner’s unique concept. 

One user wrote: “This will not work in (Singapore) at all. Every little thing (people) here get offended, no sense of humour. How to have this kind of thing here?...Forget it lah.”

Another added: “Dont waste time lah. Locals already get offended by reading Facebook comments...They (won’t) be able to handle this.”

Some people said that they did not see the appeal of paying for poor service that is already commonplace in Singapore.

“Every kopitiam is a Karen’s Diner already. Nothing new,” griped one user.

“Well, if you don't care for burgers, there are many hawker stalls around the island that provide similar abuse/service”, wrote another.

Some users on Reddit said that the pop-up in Singapore should be “localised” to feature more familiar characters such as ah lian waitresses or encik waiters.

“Ah lian” is a derogatory term used to describe a young woman who is unsophisticated and loud.

“Encik” is commonly used to address male warrant officers in the Singapore Armed Forces and is usually associated with strict discipline.

One Redditor wrote: “Would be damn interesting if they swear in Singlish (or) dialects to suit (Singapore’s) context.”

Some online personalities have taken to TikTok to share their impressions of how a Karen's Diner in Singapore would be.

@joshuaalexius my FYP was filled w SG tiktokers doing it and it’s so funny #tiktoksg #karensdiner ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

It is unclear if service staff for the proposed Singapore pop-up will be hired locally.

According to event booking site Hidden as well as reports online, the Karen’s Diner pop-up is slated to run till May 31, 2023 although its opening date is unknown. However, The Straits Times reported on Wednesday (Aug 31) that the dining concept may not be coming to Singapore yet.

A spokesman for the diner said that further details will be announced on its website.

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