Gen Z now 'barebacking' their commutes in the latest bizarre social media trend for young workers

A new Gen Z commuting trend has been turning heads, and making some passengers deeply uncomfortable, as young workers go tech gadget-free on public transport.
The trend in question? Doing absolutely nothing.
The practice involves commuting on trains, buses and ferries without any digital distractions and is bizarrely nicknamed 'barebacking', a nod to the social media trend of going distraction free on flights, dubbed 'rawdogging'.
That means no phones, no earbuds and no e-books. Even plain old books are out of the question, leaving nothing to hide behind to make make that morning commute for less awkward for all those involved .
Podcaster Curtis Morton coined the term in a recent video where he and co-host James Hacking were ranking their most hated travel habits.
'Barebackers, number one,' Morton declared.
A baffled Hacking asked for clarification, prompting Morton to elaborate.
'You've done this commute a hundred times. Why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book? Just looking around? Looking at me? Do something!'
Experts say the post-pandemic commute has paved the way for 'barebacking', defined by the complete absence of scrolling, swiping, or digital distractions, leaving commuters alone with nothing but their thoughts and unfiltered reality ... gasp.
Amanda Augustine, a certified career coach at Resume.io, says the rise in the strange behaviour has been driven by the rise of return to work at the office.
'Employees are expected to 'clock in' once they arrive at the office, not when they board the train,' she told Fortune.
By not looking at their phones, it allows workers to forgo work done outside of hours, allowing them to reclaim their time.
She also argues that it's allowing workers a screen detox, a much needed break before and after hours of looking at screens at their jobs.
'The transition back to the office is a challenging period for many commuters,' she said.
'So it's not surprising they are opting to use their commutes to mentally prepare for the day ahead or decompress after work, rather than mindlessly scroll through emails or social media.'
A number of comments were left by users on the video, which echoed the sentiments of Augustine, saying they couldn't look at their screens during their commutes.
'I agree with all except number one. I can't look at my phone or a book because I suffer from awful vertigo and travel sickness,' wrote one person.
'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.' someone else commented.
A recent survey revealed Gen Z workers had diffent attidues to work than older generations.
Data from talent agency Randstad Australia shows that 42 per cent of Gen Z workers declared they'd rather be unemployed than stay in an unhappy job.
Meanwhile, just over half, 51 per cent, would quit if work stopped them from enjoying life, and 62 per cent would walk if they didn't feel they belonged.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time Out

2 days ago

• Time Out

Chicago is one of the top Pride Month destinations for 2025, per Airbnb

If you were planning to spend Pride Month somewhere fun, fabulous and full of flavor (rainbow and otherwise), you wouldn't be alone in choosing Chicago. According to Airbnb's 2025 travel data, the Windy City is one of the top trending Pride Month destinations among Gen Z and Millennial travelers, with searches spiking 37% over last year's numbers. Chicago joins the ranks of other buzzworthy Pride cities like Boston, Bogotá and Cologne, all seeing a swell in bookings as younger generations plan trips around parades, parties and unforgettable experiences. The data tracks bookings for late June, just in time for the city's big Pride festivities, including the iconic Chicago Pride Parade, which draws nearly a million people annually. And it's not just about marching. Airbnb has also spotlighted ' The Animated Tour of Chicago ' as one of the standout experiences travelers are booking while in town. The creative walking tour, hosted by local artist and animator O.J., blends history, city landmarks and vibrant visuals into a delightfully nerdy cultural deep dive. Think Schoolhouse Rock meets Chicago Architecture Center—with original art, humor and just the right dash of weird. Reviews call it '10/10,' 'super fun' and 'an incredible, inspiring start to the trip.' Pride-seekers can also take advantage of Airbnb's expanding menu of local services, from in-home yoga to prepared meals, all geared toward helping visitors make the most of their stay no matter their budget or itinerary. Chicago's place on the list makes sense: The city boasts a thriving LGBTQ+ community, legendary nightlife and plenty of rainbow-splashed events throughout the month. But it's also a city of neighborhoods—each offering something different, whether you're brunching in Boystown, gallery-hopping in Pilsen or cruising the lakefront on a Divvy bike with a drag queen-led tour (yes, that exists).

Telegraph

6 days ago

• Telegraph

The hard-working Gen Zers who prefer life in the office

'Gen Lay-Z'. 'The WFH generation'. 'Nobody wants to work any more'. Depending on who you ask, Gen Z are the ultimate office refuseniks. Their early careers unfolded from bedrooms and kitchen tables, shaped by lockdowns and Zoom fatigue. The watercooler chat? Dead. Al desko lunches? Forgotten. Post-work drinks with the team? Fat chance. They were firmly hooked on back-to-back video calls, Slack pings and a digital nomad-esque life with Wi-Fi as the only real anchor. For love nor money nor free lunches, Britain's under-30s could not be tempted by face-to-face working. Or so bosses thought. Contrary to this narrative, plenty of Gen Z workers have been consistently coming into the office, even when most of their colleagues chose to stay at home. Tamara Salloum moved to London from Beirut three years ago to work at PR firm, ING Media. Although the company has recently mandated workers to go in three days a week in person, she's been a steadfast office devotee since her start date. 'I need that clear line between home and work,' she explains. 'In the office, I can brainstorm ideas, learn from seniors, collaborate across teams and clients and socialise. Then, when I'm home, it's just for decompressing and tuning out.' Although 28-year-old Salloum had worked in the sector before her move to the UK, she knew being in five days a week would help her adjust more quickly to the new culture and communication styles. There are more tangible pluses, too – she works across two monitors, from a proper chair and, as summer hots up, she's enjoying the building's air con. Financially, it makes more sense than working from home, as ING Media provides breakfast, snacks and coffees. Salloun spends around £6 a day on travel. An increasing number of Gen Z workers like Salloum are choosing to be in for most of the week, far more than older peers. A March survey of 12,000 workers in 44 countries by property group, JLL, found that workers aged 24 and under are more likely than any other generation to be in the office, and come in an average three days, compared to between 2.5 and 2.7 days among other generations. While commercial real estate companies like JLL have skin in the game in the return to office tussle, several other large surveys show similar shifts. In mid 2024, the urban policy research unit and charity, Centre for Cities, surveyed office attendance in six global cities, finding that in London, the youngest workers (aged 18-24) spent the most time working in the office each week on average. That's despite having the lowest mandated time in the office – 3.1 days on average, compared to four in Sydney, 3.6 in Singapore, 3.4 in New York and 3.3 in Toronto. This younger cohort of Londoners was also the most likely age group to say they work best in the office, at 43pc. There are signs the trend will extend to those who have yet to enter Britain's workforce, or are just starting out. Bright Network, which connects graduates and young professionals with recruiters in global companies, surveyed 15,000 UK students and found that six in 10 (59pc) of graduates want to go into the office five days a week. Of those who want to be in five days a week (31pc), there's been an increase of 6pc since last year. So, amid clamours of return to office mandates – with companies such as JPMorgan Chase, Boots and THG ordering staff back to the office for five days a week – why are some Gen Zers heading back of their own accord? And what does the younger cohort's boomerang move mean for the rest of the workforce? 'Slack channels can't replicate hanging out with people' Against the backdrop of the 'working from home revolution' in the UK, it's easy to overlook a quieter crisis: the young people who missed out on fundamental, identity-shaping experiences during the pandemic – chances to make friends, build networks and find their footing in adult life. While older generations often relied on pre-existing communities, forged through university, long-term employment, hobbies or local ties, many younger adults had no such foundations in place. Can you miss what you never had? Perhaps – and the data suggests as much. A report by the think tank, Onward, shows that one in five Britons aged 18-24 have one or no close friends, a proportion that's tripled over the last decade. Supporting this trend, earlier figures show that those aged between 16 and 29 are at least twice as likely to report feeling lonely often, or always, than those over 70 (9.7pc versus 3.7pc). Courtney Boateng, entrepreneur and co-founder of To My Sisters, a community and podcast empowering women in academia and the workplace, believes Gen Z's appetite for the office is centred around 'community and the sense of belonging that comes with that'. Young people – herself included – see this as a way to accelerate faster in a career, not in a superficial or transactional way, but out of genuine connection. 'That's what people are seeking in so many areas of their life, and Gen Z wants that from the office,' says Boateng. Salloum, who has made close friends with her colleagues at ING Media, would agree. Many of her work buddies are of a similar age and like going to the Shoreditch site almost as much as her. 'We go on coffee runs and lunch together, and sit on the office terrace when the weather is good,' she says. There's a social committee which organises game nights, team quizzes and during Ramadan, a team iftar. She says she'd get FOMO if she stayed home. 'I'm lucky that I really like my colleagues, so I never worry it will be awkward or that we won't have things to talk about,' says Lewis White, 27, a research officer at the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute. 'For me, there's no amount of Slack channels that can replicate the feeling of hanging out with people, and chatting while you work.' A psychology graduate, White began his career as a healthcare assistant at a men's psychiatric intensive care unit, and after three and a half years, began looking in the third sector. He was pleased to find a role that aligned so well with his interest in mental health, and after a six-month internship at the charity, White moved into a full-time position. Staff are required to be in the office at least two days a week, but White usually goes in for roughly three days – a number that might increase when the office relocates from central London to east London, where he can cycle easily from home. Mentored, not micromanaged The stereotype that Gen Z is universally work-shy has seeped into the workplace. According to Statista, a quarter of UK business owners and employers describe these younger workers as struggling with professional boundaries, displaying informality and being resistant to criticism – traits often mistaken for laziness, rather than signs of needing better support. Boateng believes that many Gen Z workers are simply under-equipped and eager for guidance. 'They want to be mentored, not just micromanaged,' she says, noting it's often far easier to achieve this in person. White, being new to the sector, appreciates the immediacy of in-office communication. 'If I need to run something by someone, I can pull them aside, bring my laptop over, and have a quick chat,' he explains. 'It cuts out the 5-10 minutes of messaging on Slack or setting up a Google Meet.' As these young people enter the workforce, Kirsten Barnes, chief executive of Bright Network, explains that they definitely see the office as 'the place to learn by osmosis and upskill in both soft and hard skills to propel them into the future'. Indeed, Bright Network's research found that the chance to learn from others remains the top reason young people want to go into the office (39pc), followed by the opportunity to build their networks (18pc), then teamwork and collaboration (11pc). Proximity to managers and senior leadership matters, too. 'Gen Zers don't expect to be best pals with the chief executive, but they shouldn't be these mystical figures at the top either,' says Boateng. She likens her generation to toddlers, always asking why. It can be annoying, she admits, but it stems from a genuine desire to understand the workplace and the complex systems within it. 'Asking the hard questions – and getting the hard answers – builds our understanding of the social environment, and helps us become more invested, mature contributors to a workplace.' 'I'm lucky to have a job' Recent graduate Neel Shah works as a digital marketer for JDM Distributors and has to go into the office-cum-warehouse every day, although this suits him fine. 'I've never worked from home, but I'd get really lazy if I did,' says Shah, who begins his day with the gym at 5.30am, before heading home to change and then drive from Harrow to Watford for an 8am start. He handles JDM's email marketing, influencer collaborations, social media marketing and website, so if he's not in the office, he's managing or attending events and meeting with collaborators. Shah feels well-liked and trusted at work and that he's fulfilling the expectations made of him. Doing a five-day week on-site, he says, has helped him adjust quickly to working life after his degree. 'I feel lucky to have got an internship at JDM and then a job, because tons of my friends are still looking for any kind of permanent work,' he explains. 'I know lots who finished their degrees three or four years ago, but have only been able to find zero-hours contracts since then, which is scary when you're in so much debt from uni.' Under the thumb of intensifying labour market pressures, the outlook for graduates in Shah's cohort is far from rosy. With the threat of Trump's tariffs, and higher taxes for employers taking effect, job vacancies fell to the lowest level in nearly four years in April. It's understandable then, that rising numbers of younger workers would sacrifice working from home to secure a new role. According to a new analysis of over two million jobseekers by Flexa, 12pc fewer Gen Z job seekers listed 'location flexibility' as a key criteria for new roles in March, compared to the start of the year. By contrast, demand for location flexibility increased among all other age groups over the same time period. For the youngest Gen Zers fresh out of further education, the balance of power clearly sits with the employer. The spectre of RTO mandates While around 59pc of UK professionals now work in a hybrid capacity, a four percentage point increase since 2024, according to Michael Page's Talent Trends Report 2025, many are anxious about the future of flexible working. Work arrangements consistently top candidate concerns during job interviews facilitated by Michael Page. These fears, however, may be misplaced. Despite bold declarations from high-profile chief executives calling for bums on seats, the data tells a different story. Research from King's College London shows remote work rates have held steady since 2022. Drawing on over a million Labour Force Survey records and 50,000 responses to the UK Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes, the study also found growing resistance to full-time office mandates. In 2025, half of UK employees said they'd consider leaving their job if forced back full-time – up from 40pc in 2022. The share who would quit on the spot has doubled, from 5pc to 10pc. 'Anyone facing a return to office mandate should hold their ground – resistance is more than reasonable,' says Professor Heejung Chung, director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership and lead author of the study. 'In the UK at least, flexibility is the norm – and will continue to be so.' For young professionals hoping to make themselves indispensable in a tough economy, the office can be a place for connection, mentorship and growth – but not at the cost of flexibility. White believes the appeal lies in having the option to work from home when needed. 'Several of my close friends still work in healthcare, and it's complicated – they're right to be jealous of my hybrid setup,' he says. 'When I was at the hospital, I felt the same way about anyone in an office job.' Salloum agrees that having flexibility is key: 'I love being in the office – but I also love having the option to work from home when I need to.'

The Sun

13-06-2025

• The Sun

Only the savviest travellers can spot all 10 getaway essentials in this busy beach brain teaser – can you find them?

WITH summer just about cresting our horizons, how can you resist a sunny seaside spot-the-items brainteaser. Remembering everything you need is not easy when jetting off – but this puzzle promises to get you into the right frame of mind. 2 Hidden away in this busy beach scene are 10 items many of us will need in order to have fun abroad by the sea. Can you find a sun hat, a pair of sunglasses, sun cream, flip flops, beach ball, a plane ticket, a fan, a book, a bikini, and a camera. The brainteaser was commissioned by holiday package and travel tech platform, which also carried out research of 2,000 travellers to reveal the top 30 things they do before every getaway. These include getting their haircut especially for the trip, obsessively checking the weather, and arranging plant care. Doing a big clothes wash, packing lots of snacks 'just in case', and changing the bedsheets so they're fresh to return home to are also key activities prior to do a break. As are packing, unpacking, and packing again, buying new underwear, and worrying multiple times they've successfully packed their passport. The poll also found those who do any prep ahead of a getaway will spend an average of seven-and-a-half hours doing so. And 34 per cent say they actively enjoy it, with half have even taken time off work especially to get everything in order ahead of a much-deserved break. Taking annual leave is more common in younger respondents with 77 per cent of Gen Zs and Millennials having done this. In contrast, just 49 per cent of Gen X, 21 per cent of Boomers, and eight per cent of those from the Silent generation have taken time away from their jobs to get everything in order. I travelled to the hidden gem US region that's better than Florida it's filled bucket list tourist activities But 19 per cent don't factor in the cost of getting ready for a holiday when planning their travel budget. Spokesperson Zoe Fidler said: 'Between work, childcare, DIY projects and endless life admin, actually booking a holiday often ends up as a last-minute task – bringing with it the stress of wondering if you've missed out on the best deals. 'Then comes the 'holiday prep' itself – from hair appointments to packing enough snacks to keep the kids happy.' The study also revealed loading tablets or e-readers with movies, books, games or podcasts, cleaning out the fridge, purchasing travel-sized toiletries and weighing suitcases several times are also key activities for many. It also emerged 54 per cent consider themselves to be someone who gets everything sorted well in advance of a trip. With those who do prepare spending a total of seven-and-a-half hours doing so. Millennials spend the longest prepping for a getaway at nine hours and 14 minutes on average, but the Silent generation spend the least – five hours and 20 minutes. While women take seven hours and 57 minutes getting ready, with men spending six hours and 59 minutes to prep. The research, commissioned via OnePoll, also found 25 per cent tend to overpack 'massively' and 21 per cent leave at least some of their pre-getaway prep to the last minute. But 23 per cent selflessly put the needs of others ahead of their own when getting ready for a break. spokesperson added: 'We know that preparing for a holiday can be time consuming, stressful and expensive - but worth it in the end, which is why we commissioned this research to fully understand what Brits need from their summer getaway. 'We firmly believe it's never too late to book a getaway and our booking data shows this happens more often than you think.' TOP 30 HOLIDAY PREPARATION TASKS: 1. Secure travel documents in one place 2. Purchase sun cream/after sun 3. Exchange currency or order travel money 4. Check passport/visa requirements and renew if needed 5. Pack any prescription medication and travel health kit 6. Make a packing checklist 7. Clean out the fridge 8. Secure the house 9. Get your hair cut 10. Read reviews 11. Clean the whole house 12. Buy medicines/tablets 13. Charge every possible device and pack two portable chargers 14. Arrange pet care 15. Buy travel-sized toiletries 16. Do a big pre-holiday clothes wash 17. Repeatedly worry whether you've packed your passport 18. Weigh their suitcases multiple times 19. Change the bedsheets 20. Obsessively check the weather at your destination 21. Research health precautions (e.g. vaccinations, water safety) 22. Load your tablet or e-reader with movies, books, or podcasts 23. Pack a 'just in case' kit with mini sewing kits, painkillers, duct tape, and safety pins 24. Take pictures of your passport and insurance 25. Pack lots of snacks "just in case" 26. Buy new underwear 27. Download offline maps/apps 28. Decide at the last second to pack several more items 29. Arrange plant care 30. Pack, unpack, and pack again 2