Gen Z’s New “Barebacking” Trend Is Making Commuters Uncomfortable — Here’s Why
A new Gen Z trend is causing a stir during the daily commute — and it has many people feeling seriously unsettled. So, what exactly is going on?
Keeping up with younger generations can be exhausting — even saying that feels like it added a decade to your age. But somehow, there’s always a new habit or behavior everyone under 25 seems to understand, while the rest of us remain in the dark.
That is, until it starts affecting everyone — like this latest trend that could be showing up on your morning train ride.
So what is “barebacking”?
No, it’s not what you might be thinking. While the term might sound NSFW, in this context, it’s quite different — albeit just as attention-grabbing. Coined by podcaster Curtis Morton, “barebacking” refers to commuting without any digital distractions: no phone, no headphones, no book — just sitting silently, making eye contact with strangers or staring out the window in deep, mysterious thought.
“You’ve taken this train a thousand times,” Morton complained in a viral TikTok video with over 100,000 views. “Why are you just sitting there — no phone, no book — just watching me? Do something!”
Fortune reports that the trend has picked up speed since workers began returning to the office after the pandemic. It’s being dubbed the “underground cousin” of another Gen Z habit called “rawdogging” — enduring long flights without screens, snacks, or even water.
Of course, zoning out on the subway isn’t a new invention — people did it all the time before smartphones existed. But Gen Z has rebranded it, giving it a cheeky, provocative name and turning it into a low-key statement.
Much like other internet-coined behaviors like “masterdating” (taking yourself on a date) or “girl dinners” (minimal solo meals), this might seem like another case of Zoomers putting trendy labels on things that already existed. But some experts argue there’s more behind it.
According to the New York Post, this practice may reflect a subtle form of rebellion — a quiet pushback against the return-to-office culture and society’s obsession with productivity.
“Employees are often expected to be ‘on the clock’ as soon as they leave the house,” says Amanda Augustine, a career coach at Resume.io. “Spacing out during the commute lets them reclaim that time for themselves.”
Psychotherapist Eloise Skinner adds that this time allows workers to draw a mental boundary: “It can help people feel more in control of their schedule and protect their mental space.”
In other words, that blank stare during your subway ride might just be your way of saying: I’m not working yet — check back at 9:00 a.m.
Of course, not every commuter is making a political statement. Some may simply be giving their brains a break before the workday begins.
“The return to office is tough for a lot of people,” Augustine adds. “Using that commute time to mentally prepare or decompress, rather than scrolling through emails or social media, makes total sense.”
Unlike “rawdogging,” which has sparked concerns about health risks like dehydration from sitting for hours without water, “barebacking” might actually be beneficial.
Tamás Bokor, associate professor at Corvinus University in Budapest, describes this state of “wakeful idleness” as a powerful defense against information overload.
“It gives the mind a chance to breathe — to sort through thoughts instead of constantly consuming new input,” he says.
So next time you see someone staring into space on your commute, don’t be too quick to judge. They might just be practicing a little mental self-care — even if it comes with a provocative name.
