This badge to get Londoners chatting on the tube has gone down like a turd in a punch bowl

This morning some commuters on the underground were handed “Tube Chat” badges, in an attempt to get Londoners to talk to strangers (or to make their trip to work even more uncomfortable).

TFL quickly said it was nothing to do with them, and clearly the idea struck horror in most people’s hearts – but thankfully some great alternatives were suggested.

I think these badges could really catch on. #tube_chat pic.twitter.com/QE1tTfCJIv

— DocHackenbush (@DocHackenbush) September 29, 2016

@thepoke #tube_chat_badges pic.twitter.com/acHNtxcEEH

— 【ツ】Mark (@vbloke) September 29, 2016

TFL releases new badges for commuters to wear pic.twitter.com/BuqJu6Kc3P

— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) September 29, 2016

Love this alternative to the #tube_chat badge pic.twitter.com/Xe01eJ8njR

— Cora Bauer (@corabauer) September 29, 2016

Got mine #tube_chat pic.twitter.com/UyJepk0vd3

— Pedantic_Paul (@Patriotic_Paul) September 29, 2016

#tube_chat my thoughts exactly pic.twitter.com/12D0MFwkDS

— Chris (@ThisIsChris_x) September 29, 2016

Got my #nope_card ready, in case I get approached by anyone with a #tube_chat badge pic.twitter.com/6lTVvsovZj

— TC (@TC_Cornesto) September 29, 2016

#tube_chat pic.twitter.com/ZWKEEzGqaN

— Clara (@ClaraUnravelled) September 29, 2016

@ThePoke Easily find people with common interests. pic.twitter.com/1Sga1TMJuu

— Graham Tope (@monkey_wrangler) September 29, 2016

Even the hashtag #tube_chat came under criticism.

My only opinion on #tube_chat pic.twitter.com/NR4s2VS3UI

— Mared Elin (@TheFringeWriter) September 29, 2016

But it wasn’t all bad, some people were in favour of the idea.

I'm all for tube chat badges. Makes identifying knobs easier

— Anarcho-Blairite (@blueliberal1) September 29, 2016