Playing music, videos, podcasts, or other audio out loud in public without headphones — a behavior dubbed 'bare beating' — is being condemned by etiquette experts as unequivocally rude. This practice, which treats shared spaces like a personal living room, has become a growing source of public annoyance.
What Is Bare Beating?
Bare beating refers to the act of playing audio from a device in public without using headphones, forcing those nearby to listen. Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and host of the 'Were You Raised by Wolves?' podcast, stated, 'This. Is. Rude. There just is no other way to slice it. You’re imposing your choices on a captive audience. Nobody decided they wanted to listen to that YouTube video, and yet here we are all having to endure it without our consent.'
Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, agreed, calling bare beating 'unequivocally rude.' She added, 'The presumption that everyone wants to listen to what you are listening to is simply unacceptable. This is doubly so if others are unable to move away from you — at work, in an elevator, on public transportation, etc.'
Impact on Shared Spaces
In tight quarters, even low or moderate volume can feel disruptive to those sitting inches away. Diane Gottsman, author of 'Modern Etiquette for a Better Life' and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, explained, 'Whether the distraction is visual, or noise related, when someone is intruding on another person’s public space, it’s not easy to look away and ignore. Think of it this way: If a child was doing it in a public space, tight quarters or a restaurant, others would be annoyed and blame the parents for not adjusting the behavior. When an adult does the same thing, it’s important for them to self adjust and be respectful of others in close proximity.'
Children might receive grace for such behavior due to lack of awareness, but adults should know better. Leighton noted, 'Some people just aren’t mindful of how their behavior affects others and simply have no idea how far phone speakers can carry sound. Spoiler alert: It’s way farther than you think.'
Why People Bare Beat
Bare beaters often lack negative intent. Gottsman said, 'The reason people are doing this is because they are trying to pass the time or may not even realize their volume is offensive. But when you’re sitting inches away from another person, even lower noises are amplified.' Some may have hearing difficulties or technical issues, but unless it’s an emergency, the courteous move is to wait for private listening. 'Of course, using earbuds and utilizing captions is a reasonable option,' she added.
Historical Context and Modern Norms
While bare beating feels modern, forcing strangers to be an unwilling audience is not new. Leighton said, 'Forcing strangers to become your unwilling audience has been an issue that’s plagued humanity since the dawn of time.' Smith recalled that in the 1980s, playing music loudly for others was considered normal: 'The person with the giant boombox would play it so that everyone nearby could enjoy the sound. But times change and nearly everyone has the ability to listen to what they like almost anywhere — so long as they are wearing headphones or earbuds.'
How to Address Bare Beating
Sometimes a gentle nudge works. Smith shared an experience at an airport gate where a man was loudly streaming a soccer game on his phone. She asked what he was watching, and he excitedly told her about his favorite team. She replied, 'I told him that I was having a hard time hearing the boarding announcements and asked if he could use earbuds. He gave his head a quick shake and looked around sheepishly. He had not realized how loud his phone was or how many people were giving him “the look.” He apologized to me and the others around him as he put in his earbuds.'
However, deciding whether to speak up is a judgment call. Gottsman emphasized, 'Is it rude to intrude on other people’s personal space? The answer is yes. But understand that we cannot determine another person’s reaction, and if you can ignore it for a very short subway ride, it’s probably best to do so.'
Conclusion: Avoid Bare Beating Yourself
Regardless of whether you confront someone, the key is to avoid bare beating yourself. Remember: Just because you can press play doesn’t mean everyone else signed up to listen. This article was originally published on HuffPost.
