Internet Slams Karen's Diner Staff for Allegedly 'Body Shaming' Customer

Online commenters have backed a man filmed screaming at a Karen's Diner employee in Brisbane, Australia, after allegedly being "body shamed" by a server.

A woman named Bec Hardgrave shared the moment on TikTok, writing: "The guy [was] sooo out of line!" The video has amassed over 5 million views and more than 9,200 comments, many from viewers who, unlike Hardgrave, thought the man was right to call out the server. You can watch the full video here.

What Is Karen's Diner?

Karen's Diner is an "interactive" restaurant chain based out of Australia that boasts "great burgers and very rude service."

"Karen's Diner is a place where you can complain until the cows come home because we literally don't care," the restaurant's website reads. "Our staff [is] rude, our manners are non-existent, and we're the perfect place for Karens across the globe."

A senior venue manager for the chain's Sheffield, U.K., location, told Insider that getting into character involves reversing "everything that you've previously been taught" about customer service. But the job can be fun once a server learns how to embrace their inner "Karen."

"You just get everything that's bothered you out on that shift. It just comes straight out of your mouth. So if a customer's getting on your nerves, you just tell them to shut up, and you get on with it," she said.

While being impolite is part of the experience, the chain doesn't allow staff or customers to make racist, sexist or homophobic comments. Body shaming and vandalism are also prohibited.

"We want both staff and customers to feel as safe as possible in our venues," the restaurant's website says.

'No Body Shaming'

In her video, Hardgrave described the atmosphere at Karen's as "hectic."

"I know [the staff is] paid to be mean to you, but it was a little too hectic," she said. "They were making offensive comments about peoples' appearances."

Hardgrave said a server told one of her friends to brush her hair and threw cups at them, though she didn't say why. She also said a server commented on one man's "receding hairline," causing a blowout.

"What's the one thing your f**king sign says? No body shaming," the man yelled. "And that f**king fat b**ch has the right to f**king talk that way?"

The man purportedly reached out to Hardgrave after she posted the video and told her that the server threw a cup of water in his face after commenting on his hairline, which is why he was so upset.

"Apparently, the waitress told [the man] that he had a receding hairline," Hardgrave said in a follow-up video. "He then said, 'You can't say that to me, that's body shaming,' and then [the waitress] threw a cup of water in his face."

Viewers React

Though Hardgrave said the man was "out of line" to react the way he did, many of her viewers argued that he had every right to call out the staff.

"The guy at the end is well in the right," Klhoeecampbellssoup wrote.

"Not out of line at all. [The] staff goes against their own policy," AA said.

"Karen's Diner needs to end, the whole thing is a mess. They break their own rules and boundaries and then act surprised when people are upset," one commenter added.

Newsweek reached out to Bec Hardgrave for comment.

More Viral Posts

On Monday, online commenters slammed a Dunkin' employee for cursing at a drive-thru customer.

On September 6, a video showing a woman berating a Subway customer went viral on social media.

And in April, another restaurant chain went viral for its intentionally rude service.