Patrick Warburton, famous for his iconic role as David Puddy on the beloved sitcom Seinfeld, has humorously admitted that he might be partly responsible for the viral travel trend known as “rawdogging.”
The trend, which has exploded on TikTok, involves passengers enduring long flights or journeys without any form of entertainment, simply sitting with their own thoughts or staring at the back of the seat in front of them.
From Seinfeld to TikTok: How It All Began
The peculiar trend gained so much traction that it was even named the American Dialect Society’s 2024 Word of the Year.
Warburton, 60, believes that the seeds of this trend were planted during a famous scene from Seinfeld.
In the episode, Warburton’s character, David Puddy, and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Elaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, are on a flight together.
In this memorable scene, Puddy boldly declares his intention to do nothing but stare at the back of the seat during the flight, with no interest in entertainment.
Warburton shared the scene on social media, jokingly referring to it as “the ultimate Puddy stare” and warning followers to “try this trend at your own risk.”
Warburton’s Cautionary Take on the Trend
Though Warburton finds the trend amusing, he also voiced concerns about its potential dangers.
In a social media post, he expressed that people who engage in this trend should be prepared for what’s going on in their minds. “If you go into this blindly, just not reading or watching something, you better be okay with what’s going on up here,” he warned, pointing to his head.
He added that while the experience can be weird and entertaining at times, it’s not for everyone.
The Viral Spread of Rawdogging on TikTok
Since rawdogging became popular, countless TikTok videos have surfaced showing people trying to survive long-haul flights with minimal distractions.
One user, @westwashere, uploaded several viral clips where he proudly engages in the trend, encouraging his followers to do the same.
His challenge? Completing a 10-hour flight without moving from his seat, only watching the flight’s map and airspeed data.
Another viral video came from @cookestraveltok, who shared a clip of her mother enthusiastically rawdogging a nine-hour flight.
With no entertainment in sight—no iPad, no headphones, and no book—the mother appeared completely content, a sight that resonated with many viewers.
The video has since garnered over eight million views.
Experts Weigh In: The Psychology Behind Rawdogging
Clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, based in Los Angeles, offered her thoughts on the rawdogging trend.
She referred to it as a form of “aesthetic” flying, noting that individuals who partake in the trend could be “mental introspectors”—people who are trained from an early age to zone out or mentally detach during extended periods of time. Dr. Durvasula explained that while rawdogging might seem like a modern phenomenon, it was likely something many people did naturally before the days of constant in-flight entertainment options.
The Appeal of Rawdogging
Dr. Durvasula also pondered why the trend is so popular with younger generations.
She suggested that it could be due to poor preparation, exhaustion, or emotional reasons, with the trend evolving into an aesthetic experience.
As for what rawdoggers think about during these long stretches of boredom, the psychologist believes it could be anything from reflecting on personal issues to simply clearing the mind.
In essence, rawdogging offers a kind of “mindfulness” experience, a break from the constant barrage of information and entertainment that we’re typically exposed to.
Whether it’s about clearing the head or finding some peace during a long flight, it seems that rawdogging has become more than just a trend—it’s an experience.
The Growth of the Rawdogging Phenomenon
What started as a quirky moment on Seinfeld has now morphed into a full-fledged internet trend that has taken TikTok by storm.
Whether it’s a form of meditation or just a way to pass the time, rawdogging is gaining popularity in ways no one could have predicted.
And with Patrick Warburton’s lighthearted claim to its origin, it seems the actor’s character, David Puddy, may have unintentionally started a viral movement.