How would you feel about talking to strangers during your commute to work?

Are Londoners particularly unfriendly and in need of encouragement when it comes to voluntarily starting a (friendly) conversation with a stranger?

Someone thinks so. This anonymous someone has been handing out badges that ask “Tube chat?” to commuters using the London Underground network.

We have ways of making you talk. #tube_chat pic.twitter.com/aray0cgoI0

— Jack Kirby-Lowe (@jackkirby) September 29, 2016

For those that prefer a quieter commute, the frosty silence has been ruined.

If someone comes near me with a #tube_chat badge. pic.twitter.com/TO0FBeyyQg

— Elliot Hackney (@ElliotHackney) September 29, 2016

Transport for London aren’t very pleased because the badges use the network’s branding without permission:

The #tube_chat badge is not an official TfL badge to find out more about our official badges & a new trial see here https://t.co/KGZ8aDViIr

— Transport for London ♥️ (@TfL) September 29, 2016

Others feel harassed:

I can't help but notice you're not wearing a #tube_chat badge and wanted to ask you something…. pic.twitter.com/i1KYtyXEs1

— Disappointed Optimist (@disappoptimism) September 29, 2016