People Won’t Stop Bare Beating on Public Transport

Culture moves quickly, and it seems to have accelerated in the past 10 years or so. This is evident in how quickly our language develops pejorative neologisms, new words negatively describing some kind of phenomenon or quirk of human behavior. The latest such term can join the ranks of “manspreading” in the list of words born from common minor annoyances that come with public transportation: “bare beating.”

That’s what the British press is calling people who play music or videos out loud in public without headphones. That person on a packed public bus or train blasting TikTok videos or pop songs from their phone, at full volume, at 7:30 AM, isn’t just being obnoxious and self-centered and disregarding the comfort of the people around them, they’re also bare beating.

Some in the UK are fighting back. The Liberal Democrats are demanding £1,000 fines for public noise pollution, citing a poll showing nearly half of Brits have been annoyed beyond all reason by bare beating, but most wouldn’t dare ask anyone to turn it down. As you would imagine, how this would be enforced is a little murky right now, but the desire to do something about it is relatable.

It’s strange that bare beating occurs at all, considering how inexpensive a solid pair of Bluetooth earbuds or headphones can get nowadays. Yet, despite the affordability and ease of access to a good enough personal listening device that ensures your music/TikTok video/podcast episode remains strictly confined to your own eardrums, some insist on making their entertainment all of our business.

Most of us don’t want to add noise pollution to the list of things we should just accept as an unchangeable reality.

Source : https://www.vice.com/en/article/people-wont-stop-bare-beating-on-public-transport/

Comprehension

What is “bare beating”?
Where does bare beating usually happen?
Why is bare beating considered rude?
What are the Liberal Democrats in the UK asking for?
How much is the fine they want to give for noise pollution?
What did the poll show about British people and bare beating?
Why is bare beating strange, according to the article?
What is one reason some people still play sounds out loud in public?

Discussion

Have you heard loud music in public before? What did you think?
Do you think bare beating is a problem in your country?
How would you feel if someone played loud videos next to you on a bus?
Would you tell someone to stop if they were being loud in public? Why or why not?
Do you use headphones when you listen to music in public?
Why do some people not care about noise in public?
Should there be a fine for people who disturb others with loud sound?
What other annoying things do people do in public?
Do you think culture is changing too fast or just enough?
Can you think of a new word for another annoying habit in public?

Vocabulary

Culture – The ideas, behaviors, and ways of life of a group of people.
Pejorative – A word that shows disapproval or is used in a negative way.
Neologism – A new word or phrase.
Public transportation – Buses, trains, and other vehicles for everyone to use.
Bare beating – Playing music or videos out loud in public without headphones.
Obnoxious – Very annoying or rude.
Self-centered – Only thinking about yourself, not others.
Noise pollution – Unwanted or harmful noise, especially in public places.
Bluetooth earbuds – Wireless earphones used to listen to music privately.
Poll – A survey where people give their opinions.