unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
New trend where workers are ‘barebacking’ their commute is leaving people baffled
Home>News>Travel
Published 18:54 1 May 2025 GMT+1

New trend where workers are ‘barebacking’ their commute is leaving people baffled

Is 'barebacking' really that bad...?

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Travel, Social Media, Community

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a freelance journalist with words in Daily Express, Cosmopolitan UK, LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She is a former Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Move over 'raw-dogging' and welcome 'barebacking' - although, social media users are divided over whether it's really that bad.

If you type the term 'bare backers' into Twitter...? Well, take it from someone who just did and now feels like they're going to have to double check the IT department don't get the wrong idea - just don't do it.

While the older meaning of the word is apparently slang for a person who engages in bare-backing - i.e. physical sexual activity without the use of a condom - another more PG meaning has since been appointed to the term.

Another day, another internet trend is doing the rounds - so forget 'raw-dogging' and prepare to test yourself with a bit of PG barebacking when you next hop on a train or tube and make your way into work.

Advert

What is a (non-NSFW) 'barebacker'?

On an episode of Behind The Screens Podcast - which aired last month - host Curtis Morton sat down to discuss some of his biggest icks when it comes to commuters and dubbed people who commit one particular act the 'bare backers'.

When asked what on earth a so-called bare backer is, Morton said: "You've commuted enough times, why are you sitting there without a phone? Without a book?

"Just looking at me, looking at what's going on."

Essentially, barebacking your commute is raw-dogging your commute.

And Morton's response to these dratted bare backers?

"Keep yourself to yourself, read a book, listen... Just do something."

However, the pet peeve has left social media users divided.

Do you ever 'bare-back'? (Getty Stock Images)
Do you ever 'bare-back'? (Getty Stock Images)

One TikToker wrote: "People used to do nothing on trains all the time before cellphones were invented. let’s celebrate people taking a step away from the dopamine-fueled, paranoid inducing devices in their pockets."

"I agree with all except the last #1. I can't look at my phone or a book because I suffer from awful vertigo and travel sickness. I have to look ahead, but I make sure to never stare at anyone," another added.

And a third wrote: "Agree with them all except the last one. Anyone who doesn’t need constant stimulation from a book/phone/ipad, and can just exist in peace for 5 mins, is awesome."

But what other habits made the cut in the podcast episode's 'top five worst commuter habits' and are you guilty of them?

Get back on your phone (Getty Stock Images)
Get back on your phone (Getty Stock Images)

Well, others included commuters who let rip with their loudspeaker rather than respectfully plugging in headphones, people who don't let people off the carriage before trying to get on and those who get themselves in a bit of a state when approaching their stop.

Relate to any?

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Trump 'seriously considering' turning another country into 51st US state

    Trump has suggested U.S. oil companies plan to invest $100 billion into rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure

    News
  • Getty Stock Images
    2 hours ago

    Scientists settle debate on whether baths or showers are more hygienic

    90% of Americans have been doing the more hygienic thing all along

    News
  • Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    MrBeast reveals his 'Purple Cow' rule he uses to get '100 million views' on videos

    MrBeast is the biggest YouTuber on the planet

    News
  • Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Christian Bale's method acting once helped save a director's life

    Director Adam McKay secretly put footage of his heart attack into his film

    Film & TV
  • 'Finsexual' explained as number of people who are coming out is on the rise
  • Real meaning behind 'looksmaxxing' as extreme trend is increasingly harming young men
  • Passenger refuses to shut window on long haul flight and leaves people outraged
  • Reason Kris Jenner's profile picture trend is being used across Chinese social media