The art of avoiding paying for train fares

[The Stranger]

I seem to have mastered it somehow, by accident.

The train ticket people barely ever ask me if I want a ticket. The only time I got asked this whole term of travelling I think is once when I stood up to get off at my stop and the woman obviously realised I hadn't bought a ticket, and she didn't look very happy about it. But it's not my fault if they don't ask me.

I think the secret is at how things work at the subconscious level. If you try to avoid buying a ticket, you end up glancing at them etc and look less relaxed and the will pick that up. I never intended to avoid paying I just go and sit and I'm very relaxed and often fall asleep.

It's almost ridiclous at times, when I get on with a bunch of people right in front of the ticket person they will ask everyone except me. Even more strangely, when I've been travelling with friends a couple of times they've noticed they don't get asked for a ticket when they're with me either.

Anyone else find this?

look like a business man who is troubled by other stuff, looking out the window totally in another world. they usually wont ask, or what ive had more than once, they think they already checked you XD i do always have a ticket though, im a student so free traveling

however in our subway system in rotterdam they do exit checks. when people exit the subway they are waiting upstairs to check everyone without a ticket. so there is no way to get around it. or sometimes they are down at the stop and they also search the entire train and everyone without a ticket gets busted.

because i hate the way the company runs things iive always wondered about ways to make their life impossible!

so far ive thought about selling tickets to people who get busted so that they actually have a valid ticket. but im not sure if that is allowed.

and

making a sort of site or radar that tells people about these checks like the websites for speedcontrols for cars etc.

[drone]

[Tellos Athenaios]

Rhyfelwyr: possibly the train staff “knows your face” and their thoughts are “ah that guy always has his ticket, moving on...”

[Rhyfelwyr]

My friend says its because I carry a machete but I don't think that's it...

Rhyfelwyr: possibly the train staff “knows your face” and their thoughts are “ah that guy always has his ticket, moving on...”

I don't think so, it always seems to be different staff.

[stratigos vasilios]

Maybe you just look honest? I'm not sure how one would look honest, but when I find out I'll let you know...or you'll let me know?...

[Husar]

When I'm on the train they often ask "those who entered, can I see your tickets please?" do if they already asked me ealier I don't show anything and they usually don't ask then.
I always wonder how they manage to remember everyone they already asked for the ticket.
I don't need to buy a ticket though, I got one from the university that allows me to travel through all of NRW.

[A Nerd]

I'm going to go off topic with a little memory/story...

This thread reminds me of an episode of 'Leave it to Beaver' I watched some time back. Wally and the Beav spent all their money on food at train station when they were traveling from a relative to their home. They only had enough money to buy a ticket half way home due to lack of funds, which they did. When the ticket man came to collect thier ticket (beyond where they should have gotten off) they had none. A kind passenger heard their predicimant as they spoke with the ticket man and opted to pay their fare for the rest of the ride. Once home, they told Mr. Cleaver not and paid the man back themselves. Ah, what a sweet story. I know that is 1950's television, but people just aren't like that anymore. Nowadays, Wally and the Beav would be hitchiking back home in the car of a potential serial killer!

That is the end of my story.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Could be the look in your eye.