Having spent a good long while sitting on the bench above, contemplating the “January sad” and struggling to find the time to rate benches, here’s what Sam Wilmot had to say about it:

“Here’s one I’ve had on the ice for a little while”.

He doesn’t always coordinate with benches, he says, but in this case, “the bench was nearly new and the seat itself was deep-set and comfortable”.

Wilmot is the creator of Rate This Bench, an Instagram account that, you guessed it, rates benches.

The photos often come with lengthy descriptions of the bench and what he was feeling, or how the bench fits into the landscape or society at large.

The benches are also rated out of 10.

It’s a public service – no one should have to seat themselves on an inadequate bench.

Oh, the humanity…

I’ll spare you the bench essays and pair the highlights and ratings with the corresponding image.

Have at it:

“The bench was lacklustre and uncomfortable, I didn’t find a plaque nor an armrest insight. No curvature and no solid base. Displeasing.”

Bench Score: 3/10

“The play area, newly laid pavement, and planters have really given this place a new lease of life. The benches were receiving some TLC too. As a bench the back is upright and supportive, a good height, a solid new base, and a sound seat”.

Bench Score: 6/10

“In the times between rating benches and refereeing football matches I can be found attending @ofandc gigs in South Wales…This is little more than a church pew, it’s small, the seat is narrow, it’s just one big dog wide and has a very stiff back. It’s uncomfortable but close enough to the speakers to really appreciate the groovy riffs and disgruntled yelling”.

Bench Score: 10/10

“There’s nothing quite like a Sunday morning stroll and a bench photo opportunity. The concrete base was functional in preventing anybody from stealing the bench but failed to provide somewhere clean and mud-free to set my feet”.

Bench Score: 6/10

“It’s early in December so this has just the slightest dash of festivity. For a bench that sits at the top of a cul-de-sac, it was surprisingly good”.

Bench Score: 6/10

“Go to Museums kids, history is important. I have to say that otherwise, my degree was pointless. This was a cracking bench, it’s grande, seating for 6 normal sized folks, a high backrest, thick armrests, and a beautifully carved seat”.

Bench Score: 7/10

“The bench is uncomfortable, the back “support” is a single thin plank, there’s no curvature to the seat, no plaque, the wood hasn’t been treated in a decade and it’s too low to the floor”.

Bench Score: 3/10

“Yate shopping centre doesn’t offer the best benches, but they’re adequate given their location”.

Bench Score: 4/10

If you want more benches in your life, you can click that follow button here.

By the way, if people holding food is more your speed (yes, this is a thing), Gripping Food With Force, which describes itself as “the worst account on Instagram”, comes highly recommended.

You can scroll through it while sitting on a bench.

[source:ratethisbench]