Great British Chilvary

Beattie McGuinness Bungay is encouraging commuters of London to make a stand this summer - by giving out badges to wear which say "Happy to stand. Just ask."

It’s a civic idea, worn by public transport users to announce their willingness to give up their seat to anyone who may want it. And with Olympic fever around the corner, what better way to show off some Great British chivalry

More than a billion passengers are carried on the tube each year and this number is set to rise sharply over the Olympic months.

Tube etiquette is a constant source of discussion and led to the introduction of TFL’s Baby on Board badge in 2006. Pregnant passengers are currently made to stand for an average of five stops before being offered a seat, and 35 per cent of mums-to-be are never offered a seat.

The research undertaken (by TFL) before the scheme was launched showed that pregnant women often felt awkward or uncomfortable having to ask if they could sit down. And while some people said they were happy to offer their seats to expectant mums, they felt embarrassed if their offer was rejected.

Even Dr Rowan Williams seem to be on our side. He noted that the legacy from the London summer of celebrations will be:

“The rebirth of an energetic, generous spirit of dedication to the common good and public service, the rebirth of a recognition that we live less than human lives if we think just of our own individual good.”

And so like knights with thousands of badges, BMB are turning the tables - so anyone wearing a badge is freely giving permission to give up their seat to someone in need. You literally just have to ask.

Over the next month London will be ram-jammed with hung-over, weak, old, lost and pregnant people and what better time to get back to good old English manners and to give people in London that little lift.

You can pick up a badge from the ES vendor at Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube or pop into BMB at 16 Shorts Gardens, Covent Garden on Weds 18th and Thurs 19th July.

Alternatively, if you’d like a couple of badges (incl one to give away) please send a stamped addressed envelope to

Happy to Stand
BMB
16 Shorts Gardens
Covent Garden
WC2H 9AU
@ happytostand