The Rude Reality of 'Bare Beating': Etiquette Experts Condemn Public Audio Intrusion
Have you ever found yourself trapped on a train car with a fellow passenger blasting TikToks from their phone without headphones? Or perhaps you've been seated on a plane next to someone streaming music at full volume? Maybe you've even endured a doctor's office waiting room where a patient broadcasts sports commentary from a radio stream. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you've encountered what is now termed "bare beating." This phenomenon refers to the act of playing music, videos, podcasts, or other audio out loud in public without using headphones—essentially treating shared spaces as personal living rooms.
Etiquette Experts Weigh In: A Resounding Verdict of Rudeness
Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and host of the "Were You Raised by Wolves?" podcast, leaves no room for ambiguity. "This. Is. Rude. There just is no other way to slice it," he asserts. "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, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that bare beating is "unequivocally rude." She explains, "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." In such confined environments, even low or moderate volume levels can feel highly disruptive to those seated mere inches away.
The Psychological and Social Impact of Intrusive Noise
Diane Gottsman, author of "Modern Etiquette for a Better Life" and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, highlights the broader implications. "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," she notes. Gottsman draws a parallel to child behavior: "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."
While children might receive grace due to their lack of awareness of social norms, adults are expected to know better. In some cases, this behavior could even lead to legal penalties, depending on local regulations. Leighton adds a cautionary note: "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."
Understanding the Motivations Behind Bare Beating
Contrary to popular belief, "bare beaters" often don't have negative intentions and may be blissfully unaware of their impact. Gottsman observes, "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." There can be understandable reasons, such as hearing difficulties or technical issues, but unless it's an emergency, the courteous approach is to wait until you're in private to listen to audio.
Gottsman suggests practical alternatives: "Of course, using earbuds and utilizing captions is a reasonable option." Interestingly, bare beating isn't entirely a modern phenomenon. Leighton remarks, "Forcing strangers to become your unwilling audience has been an issue that's plagued humanity since the dawn of time." Smith points out that norms have evolved, recalling, "Back in the '80s, being a DJ to those in your surrounding area was actually considered the norm. 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."
Navigating Confrontation and Promoting Self-Awareness
For those who flout modern etiquette by bare beating, a gentle nudge can sometimes suffice. Smith shares a recent anecdote from an airport gate where a man was loudly streaming a soccer game on his phone during boarding. "After a few minutes, I turned and asked him what he was watching," she recounts. "He excitedly told me his favorite team was playing. 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, Gottsman cautions that deciding whether to speak up is a judgment call. "Is it rude to intrude on other people's personal space? The answer is yes," she affirms. "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." Regardless of whether you choose to confront someone, the key takeaway is to avoid bare beating yourself. Remember: Just because you can press play doesn't mean everyone else signed up to listen.
