#Tube_Chat: Someone’s trying to get Tube commuters to converse and Londoners hate the idea
It's every Londoner's nightmare. An underground campaign may be trying to get Tube commuters to actually converse with one another.
Well-meaning though it may be, London Underground users hate the idea.
The mysterious campaign emerged on social media this morning – although the majority of images seemed to be from the campaign's Facebook page, suggesting few badges had actually been handed out.
All we know is that the badges (if they actually exist) bear a remarkable similarity to Transport for London's (TfL) "Baby on Board" badges, but bear the legend "Tube chat?".
They come attached to a flyer explaining: "Have a chat with your fellow travellers. Wear this badge to let others know you're interested. You'll benefit from a daily chat. Start using it today!".
The one thing we do know is that neither City Hall nor TfL are behind the campaign.
A spokesman for TfL said: “This is not an official Transport for London campaign. We currently only promote two badges to be worn while travelling – our ‘Baby on Board’ badge and a new trial badge for people with hidden disabilities which encourages passengers to offer those less able to stand a seat.”
You might also like: How to make Tube commuting a happier experience
Londoners' reactions – on social media, naturally – were, for the large part, horrified and appalled in equal measure
This is an affront to everything I love about London. Fight this, by God, fight it!! #tube_chat https://t.co/qjBdyHwJUX
— Decoder Johnson (@MrMattThomas) September 29, 2016
Is Sadiq Khan's #tube_chat real? Because I would like to be excluded from that narrative, please. pic.twitter.com/34euz7yxtn
— Darween Vasudev (@darweenspeaks) September 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/harryhonnor/status/781421765457305600
https://twitter.com/SophieLB1/status/781420407547105280
Some just took issue with the grammar
https://twitter.com/paddyjohnston/status/781419673854287872
The idea and the underscore on the hashtag. #tube_chat https://t.co/bfJs9iwXBK
— Lloyd (@lloydthelostboy) September 29, 2016
… although some were more embracing of the concept
https://twitter.com/AppleBobbingNYC/status/781425444994355200
Love it, where can we get a badge? #tube_chat pic.twitter.com/nMuMHqRpxL
— Jacky Summerfield (@J_Bella_S) September 29, 2016
… and some chose to see the bright side
I'm glad about the #tube_chat badge because me not wearing one will surely indicate that I am fully off-limits re: unwarranted mouth-noise.
— patrick (@marginalgloss) September 29, 2016