Liverpool Street station in the rush hour. In our list of pleasant London experiences, it's down there with paddling in the Northern Outfall Sewer and scooping dead seagulls from the Thames foreshore. But tonight, 6.30pm, the terminus will transmogrify into a rapturous cathedral of joy*, as the first United Nations International Day of Happiness makes its exuberance felt.
Wake Up London, a group who organise positive-minded events, are the ringleaders and tub-thumpers, getting the mood going at the station tonight. They invite anyone who's sick of rampant consumerism to gather with placards bearing messages to make people smile.
The positive action aims to poke people out of a perceived advertising-induced stupor, reaffirming that we're good people inside already, and that we don't need all these products and manufactured ideals. It's a noble sentiment, and they're going in at the deep end by choosing such a busy, stressful time and place. Good luck to 'em.
If you want to join, just turn up around 6.30pm outside Scribbler in the Broadgate concourse with a big smile and a happy placard.
*Not guaranteed.
