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“People don’t understand boundaries”: Woman ruins couple’s romantic proposal

<p dir="ltr">A young couple has been left devastated and mortified after their marriage proposal was crashed by an inconsiderate “Karen” on the beach. </p> <p dir="ltr">Zenicca Llanza, a 24-year-old from the Philippines, shared a video of her boyfriend getting down on one knee at the beach and asking her to marry him. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her partner had arranged a romantic set up on the beach, complete with a tent, picnic table, proposal sign, a cake and rose petals. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, when the time came for him to pop the question, a beach goer began to interfere and rearrange the set up, interrupting the romantic moment. </p> <p dir="ltr">In the video posted to TikTok, Zenicca’s partner got down on one knee and began to recite a speech, as the unnamed woman walked into shot. </p> <div><iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7269928964536192298&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40warngwarng%2Fvideo%2F7269928964536192298&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F80e87476646048bca323b002688ff427_1692662253%3Fx-expires%3D1692910800%26x-signature%3D2CX7o9uY0RsEB7creGyXnWP8mas%253D&amp;key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr">She then moves the proposal sign before walking over to the couple to get a look at the ring, before Zenicca even got a chance to wear it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How to quickly ruin a proposal,” Zenicca wrote on TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Please be mindful of other people's once in a lifetime event! You never know you're already ruining it,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video has racked up tens of thousands of views, with many people being outraged on Zenicca’s behalf. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You could excuse the first few seconds w good intentions but the rest I feel like we’re just really bad manners and not having any self awareness,” commented one person. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This made me physically ill. I'm so sorry omg,” added another. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Aw I could tell she had good intentions but was ignorant in the moment that she was slightly ruining something y’all would cherish forever,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just tell her it’s a personal moment. Sometimes people don’t understand boundaries.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Relationships

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Assault victim breaks silence after Rolf Harris' death

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains information about sexual assault which some readers may find distressing. </strong></em></p> <p>One of Rolf Harris's victims has spoken out about the "impact of evil" the disgraced entertainer had on her life, after the news of his death broke around the world. </p> <p>Karen Gardner, a presenter for the the BBC, accused the convicted pedophile of assaulting her three times when she was his 16-year-old bag carrier for the show <em>Star Games</em> in 1977.</p> <p>Upon hearing the news of his death, Gardner wrote on Twitter, "Very few of us escape the impact of evil people. What we have to do is expose them, share and stand together to dilute the pain."</p> <p>"For me it was Rolf Harris but he inflicted much worse on other girls."</p> <p>Ms Gardner shared the details of her harrowing experience in the recent ITV documentary Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight, which aired just last week. </p> <p>She told the program, "In the space of I guess about 35 minutes, he assaulted me three times in plain sight. And it was horrible because you're surrounded by people, and he had a method of operating."</p> <p>"I won't talk about the actual details, but he was paying me attention, he was saying how great I had been, and he, he hugged me, and that that's when, when it happened. And it was humiliating and degrading and awful and your, your blood turns to concrete."</p> <p>"And then it was mid-afternoon and they had organised a couple of taxis and one of the cars came to get him. And I had to get in the back seat of the car."</p> <p> </p> <p>Ms Gardner said Rolf got beside her and assaulted her again, adding, "Maybe because there wasn't anyone there, I did tell him to f**k off. And he said something, which makes, still makes me feel sick now. He said to me, 'You're irresistible.' I was 16. He was 48. He was 10 years older than my dad."</p> <p>Harris was acquitted of assaulting Ms Gardner after the jury could not reach a verdict at two trials.</p> <p>Rolf Harris' <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/rolf-harris-cause-and-date-of-death-confirmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> was confirmed on May 23rd, while his death certificate states he died at the age of 93 on May 10th, after a battle with neck cancer. </p> <p><em>Image credits: ITV / Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Karen’s Diner slammed for "crossing the line"

<p dir="ltr">Karen’s Diner has been slammed for crossing the line and body shaming a man for his receding hairline.</p> <p dir="ltr">The popular restaurant popped up and instantly became a sensation where the staff are basically required to be “very rude” to customers.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, in this instance, the staff at Karen’s Diner in Brisbane went a step too far and made a comment about a man’s receding hairline.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What’s one thing your f***ing sign says,” the visibly angry man yells at the workers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No body shaming,” he said as he pointed to the sign of instructions which must be followed.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the man’s feet are some napkins and straws which suggest the man may have thrown them in fury.</p> <div><iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7146733441411828994&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40bechardgrave%2Fvideo%2F7146733441411828994%3F_r%3D1%26_t%3D8Vycdj6hoP4%26is_from_webapp%3Dv1%26item_id%3D7146733441411828994&amp;key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">The video was shared to TikTok by Bec Hardgrav who said that during her time there, the staff were commenting about people’s looks.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They were making offensive comments about people’s appearances," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They told my friend she needs to brush her hair, like how mean is that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They told my other friend that she was too old and threw cups at us.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know they’re paid to be mean to you but it was a little hectic. Safe to say I probably won’t come back."</p> <p dir="ltr">Some people commented on the video saying that people should not go to the restaurant if they can’t handle the banter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You should all know the risks before entering. If you’re too soft, don’t eat there,” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Karen's shouldn't go to Karen's diner,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Do people not understand the concept on this place? If you’re going to get offended and mad, don’t go- simple,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others however, were on the man’s side saying he knew the rules more than the staff did and applauded him for his stance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Literally the guy at the end is on the right,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s a difference between Karen’s and bullies,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The guy at the end is well in the right,” someone else wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Karen’s Diner website also has the house rules which must be followed otherwise people will be asked to leave for breaking them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No racist, sexist, homophobic or ableist comments or slurs will be tolerated,” the list begins.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No body shaming, no sexual harassment, any damage or vandalism of the venue will lead to instant removal from the venue, keep your food and drink on your tables, don’t throw them, it’s not fun.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Even though this is Karen’s Diner, OHS rules still apply. We are a functioning restaurant so do not interfere with hospitality processes.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just sit down, shut up, eat your food and bring on the banter.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Beloved sitcom star dies in house fire

<p dir="ltr"><em>EastEnders </em>star Anna Karen has passed away at 85.</p> <p dir="ltr">Karen died after her house in the east London suburb of Ilford was ablaze on February 22.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-fed15391-7fff-1c88-1f7f-515079ecc3a3">The actress, who was popular in the 1970s and played Olive in the UK sitcom <em>On the Buses</em> for four years, was the last surviving cast member of the show, which ran for seven series between 1969 and 1973.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sad news that Anna Karen has passed away in a house fire at the age of 85 R.I.P Anna. God bless you 😇🙏 <a href="https://t.co/9OqKCudmGr">pic.twitter.com/9OqKCudmGr</a></p> <p>— 🇬🇧📺 Classic British TV 📺🇬🇧 (@Classicbritcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Classicbritcom/status/1496497325920899073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Shane Collins, Karen’s agent who also represented her late friend Barbara Windsor, released a statement following her passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s very sad news,” Collins <a href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/eastenders-anna-karen-dead-at-85-house-fire/c1001a95-24ec-48b7-b939-0968a71d74d7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m happy that Anna will now be with her best mate Barbara and her beloved husband Terry Duggan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anna was a great lady and a really nice person. She was a fantastic client to look after. I can’t tell you how much I liked her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She went through a hard time after she broke her hip a few years ago but came back to work again and appeared in <em>EastEnders </em>with a stick.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Over the last couple of years she has been at home with friends popping by and her neighbours looking out for her.”</p> <p dir="ltr">On Tuesday night at 10.20pm local time, 20 firefighters across three fire engines arrived at Karen’s home and attempted to get the blaze under control, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/17744012/anna-karen-dead-fire-on-buses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, Karen died at the scene.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to police, the fire was contained by 11.38pm and the cause is being investigated - though it doesn’t appear suspicious.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1e030b00-7fff-3322-1db3-52106b90166a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Tributes to the British actress have quickly emerged online from fellow actors, those who knew her, and fans.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anna Karen, who played Aunt Sal, has passed away. An EastEnders spokesperson has said “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away... Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.” <a href="https://t.co/vF5NDIu21a">pic.twitter.com/vF5NDIu21a</a></p> <p>— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbceastenders/status/1496512327025365001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Carol Challis, the wife of the late British actor John Challis, wrote: “So sorry to hear that Anna Karen has died. John and I met her often at conventions and she was such a lovely lady. Not fair.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for <em>EastEnders </em>said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away… Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Author and broadcaster Morris Bright described the actress as “the loveliest of ladies” and shared a clip of her discussing her <em>On the Buses</em> role.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2c3e4e8c-7fff-494e-9ca7-4660fa2b0334"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Devastated to hear <em>On the Buses</em> star, actress Anna Karen, has died in a house fire aged 85. She was the loveliest of ladies,” he wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Devastated to hear On the Buses star, actress Anna Karen, has died in a house fire aged 85. She was the loveliest of ladies. Here she is with Reg Varney &amp; OTB writers Ronalds Chesney &amp; Wolfe discussing the iconic role of Olive with me back in 2002. Remembered with huge affection. <a href="https://t.co/KmfjSNK4Yt">pic.twitter.com/KmfjSNK4Yt</a></p> <p>— Morris Bright MBE (@Morris__Bright) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morris__Bright/status/1496499627725627400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Here she is with Reg Varney &amp; (<em>On the Buses</em>) writers Ronalds Chesney &amp; Wolfe discussing the iconic role of Olive with me back in 2002.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1147734-7fff-6305-f810-9afde7f4614d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Remembered with huge affection.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Cheryl Baker, the singer from 1980s pop band Bucks Fizz, also shared a touching tribute to her “fabulous mate”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have just heard the awful news that my fabulous mate, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnnaKaren?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnnaKaren</a> has died in a house fire. What an horrific way to die, I can’t bear to think about it. I adored her - She was an absolute treasure, both on and off the screen.</p> <p>— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cherylbaker/status/1496492500118351883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I have just heard the awful news that my fabulous mate, Anna Karen has died in a house fire,” Baker wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What an horrific [sic] way to die, I can’t bear to think about it. I adored her - She was an absolute treasure, both on and off screen.” </p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-08db75a6-7fff-7f19-3db8-046662940c6b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @bbceastenders (Twitter)</em></p>

News

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New pop-up “Karen” restaurant delivers rude service on purpose

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A unique pop-up dining experience is set to open in October, with a very different and potentially divise gimmick. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Karen’s Diner will serve up American comfort dishes alongside terrible service and ‘Karen’ stereotypes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The diner’s catchphrase, "Great Burgers &amp; Rude Service", has already started to create a buzz, as people anticipate their grand opening in Sydney this October. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The restaurant is the latest project from the Sydney-based experiential hospitality company, who have previously been behind Wonderland Bar — a Mad Hatter-themed pop-up.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 1950s-style diner pokes fun at ‘cancel culture’ by flipping the golden rules of hospitality on its head. </span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844383/burgers.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c873ce11fa5b4295b174c7f61e365ccb" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: bemorekaren.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The tongue-in-cheek concept was inspired by the rise in complaining ‘Karens’ in popular culture, a pejorative trope referring to an entitled and privileged white woman, often seen demanding to "speak to the manager".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As part of the unique dining experience, staff are encouraged to be rude to patrons, while customers can have fun and go along for the ride. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the controversial service, the creators of the venue have assured customers that the food will be of an extremely high quality, with a menu of comfort classics including burgers, wings, shakes and cocktails on offer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their menu items even feature Karen-themed names, with drink titles including 'The Music Is Too Loud’, ‘I’ve Been Waiting 10 Minutes for Some Service’, and ‘You’ve Just Lost My Business’.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There will also be a number of vegan and vegetarian options available for those with dietary requirements. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hospitality group regularly works with actors, so their staff will definitely be brutal in their off-beat offences. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Viral Ventures co-founder Aden Levin says the concepts are all designed to be fun and offer customers "something they have never experienced before".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Particularly after the last few months, we just want people to have fun and this is our approach to all our venues and pop-ups around Australia," he says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information or to book a table, visit </span><a href="https://www.bemorekaren.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bemorekaren.com</span></a></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Shutterstock / bemorekaren.com</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Karen for hire! Company looking to hire the ultimate “Karen” to review products

<p><span>A new job listing on an American site is asking for the perfect Karen to review products online for a whopping $65/hour. Read more:</span><br /><br /><span>A job listing by US site DehumidifierCritic.com is copping criticism for seeking someone “hypercritical and opinionated” to write three product reviews per week, while answering and maintaining a “Call-a-Karen” service.</span><br /><br /><span>The job listing says that “the right ‘Karen’ will start off with a three-month contract with the intention to extend if the service becomes popular.</span><br /><br /><span>“We are recruiting a woman to write three (honest) reviews a week for our website, as well as be the voice and authority behind our Call-A-Karen service, which will see potential customers call for advice and recommendations on (dehumidifier) products,” the listing reads.</span><br /><br /><span>The name “Karen” has been used in the past to describe an “angry, entitled” white woman of privilege who will often want to ”speak to the manager” to complain about the tiniest inconveniences.</span><br /><br /><span>“Being a ‘Karen’ in 2020 probably means you’re going to have a hard time, but I wonder how many people stop and think about the potential benefits of being or knowing a ‘Karen’”, said Oliver Perryman, founder of DehumidifierCritic.com.</span><br /><br /><span>“We want to utilise a ‘Karen’s’ best assets and use it to ensure that we are not only providing the best experience onsite, but also helping members of the public to find the best product for them.”</span><br /><br /><span>The company is offering a remote position, with the potential Karen working with a company phone and “flexible hours”.</span><br /><br /><span>The site states that any applicants need to be over the age of 21, must speak English and have a professional phone manner for the Call-a-Karen service.</span><br /><br /><span>Applications close on Monday, August 31.</span></p>

Money & Banking

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Gene Wilder's widow says his Alzheimer's battle almost "killed" her too

<p>The widow of the late actor Gene Wilder has called for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients to be given more credit and support. In an essay for ABC News, Karen Wilder, who lost her husband to the disease last August, praised researchers’ efforts to fight the disease. She also made special mention of the fact that the caregivers to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are often not given the support they need.</p> <p>In her essay, Wilder writes, "It is a strange, sad irony that so often, in the territory of a disease that robs an individual of memory, caregivers are often the forgotten. Without them, those with Alzheimer’s could not get through the day, or die – as my husband did – with dignity, surrounded by love.”</p> <p>The essay states that one in three seniors die from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and yet a Stanford Medicine study showed 40 per cent of Alzheimer's caregivers die before their patient, "not from disease, but from the sheer physical, spiritual and emotional toll of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's ... I am grateful that Gene never forgot who I was. But many caregivers of Alzheimer's patients are less fortunate.”</p> <p>After her husband’s death, Karen has felt a sense of responsibility towards raising awareness of the disease and supporting carers. In her essay, she mentions her partnership with the Alzheimer's Association's "Pure Imagination Project,” named after her late husband’s well-known performance in <em>Willy Wonka. </em></p> <p>She also made mention of the Gates Foundation’s recent $100 million donation to assist with research to eradicate the disease. </p> <p>Do you know anyone affected by Alzheimer’s? We would love to hear your thoughts on whether you feel that carers are well-supported in the comments below. </p>

Caring