Service with a middle finger, orders slammed onto the table, and curt replies are some of the things customers can expect at Karen’s Diner, which is opening its first pop-up in Singapore.

Karen’s Diner is an Australian chain of Karen-themed restaurants known to deliberately give an unpleasant dining experience, such as staff instructed to insult customers while they eat.

Its slogan reads, “Great Burgers and Very Bad Service. Get ready to live out your Karen Dreams,” in case members of the public haven’t encountered a real-life “Karen” (a pejorative term for women said to be entitled and demanding beyond reason).

Karen’s Diner chose Singapore as the location for its pop-up store in Asia, upholding its belief that the customer isn’t always right.

Although there’s no confirmed date yet when the store will open, interested parties can already join the waitlist at Explore Hidden’s website.

According to the event page, the pop-up will open in “winter” until May 31, 2023. The location is also secret.

Netizens expressed worry that the Diner’s theme might be misunderstood in Singapore.

“I don’t know about this. I hate to admit it, but we live in rather sensitive times, where people get easily offended. Might rub people off the wrong way,” said Facebook user Ace Low.

Another netizen said the business might end badly as many in Singapore “would not take their rudeness kindly.”

“This is far too advanced a concept for Singaporeans to grasp; the majority will end up arguing with the waitress. We need maybe another 50 years?” noted Facebook user Max Ho.

“Don’t open lah at SG; our people over-sensitive. Can’t take jokes. ‘Later sikit2 nak gaduh,'” added Facebook user Izam CarNage.

Meanwhile, others joked that they already receive the “Karen” service elsewhere. “No need la, I go hawker centre already got Ah Sow give me the Karen service. What want? For here to go? Aiyoooo, why so mafan one!? No small change ah, bye bye!” explained a netizen.

“Well, if you don’t care for burgers, there are many hawker stalls around the island that provide similar abuse/service,” said Facebook user Teck Loong.

Before deciding on trying out Karen’s Diner when it opens, check out the house rules below to avoid getting banned from returning to the store. /TISG

Taken from Karen’s Diner website

Netizens divided over ‘Karen’ who accused an uncle of opening bottle & sniffing contents in grocery

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