They'll still hate you as much as they hate me though

Exactly what i meant.

Just one word, no one is taking their money, cars, houses, pools to the graves when they die and for the system you're just another data entry to delete, so don't be so defensive and patriotic about it....a human being who will always remember for one good thing you've done to him / her worth much more than anything you will earn in this superficial life, that's what really counts if you really care.

I'm kind of in agreement with you on this - but mercy is ok on occasion too. 80 CHF is a lot of money to some people - even on the Swiss social.

I have honestly forgotten to buy a ticket. And on that one day, naturally the inspectors got on board. As soon as they did, I realised my mistake and went over to talk to them. Still got my 80CHF fine - but was give a payment slip instead of having to pay cash. (Payment slip payment usually costs 100CHF).

It's not a zero-sum game and you know it.

I'm as skeptical as they come, but I'd much rather have faith in human beings not all cynically profiting off the system than demand that government institutions rigidly line their pockets no matter what. I'll gladly pour oil on that slippery slope. So I see no reason to celebrate whenever someone gets a fine and was happy to read this story.

(A separate point, though, is that something tells me this woman wouldn't have gotten the benefit of the doubt if she wasn't a mother with her child right there. Mistakes are only genuine and uncynical if you've been breeding, you see.)

I bought a nachtrain ticket in Brugg on my way home from work one time--it was really really late. I got on my last train (in the succession of trains that I have to take to get home), and there were ticket inspectors. Turns out that the nachtrain ticket I bought in Brugg (SVW I think) only gets me to the main station in Zurich. Then I was supposed to buy another one (SVV I think) to get me home. I didn't know this...

It was clear to the ticket inspector that I wasn't trying to skirt paying, that I wasn't a drunk on my way home, etc., and he explained what I needed to do in the future. I didn't cry. And he didn't fine me. I really really appreciated this at the time. Because although I would have understood him fining me (rules and all), the icing on the proverbial cake would have been a nice 80CHF ticket after working over 18 hours that day. It just put a smile on my face. And I think this is all the OP was trying to say--sometimes it is these small things that make a big difference. And it was small indeed...

Or a tracking device.

That's exactly what i meant but some people just counting penny's here and considering it a huge crime towards the society

Wow, never thought I get s much flak, groans and bad rep for believing that people should be equal before the law - even if they cry.

Common, fluffy bunnehs- gimmi more.

ok
...........

That's whole different thread of it's own.

But maybe it's the difference between paying the fine and eating for a week.

People equal before the law is something to respect but being and acting human is much more merit than any laws, systems or finances, specially if it's a human in need or unintentionally done a mistake, forgiveness is the most superior gift god gave us but unfortunately we don't use it that much.

You see: There is in my eyes a huge difference in the two cases. No sane person can understand the ZVV night prices. You obviously tried and made a mistake. The controller can see this and corrects you. I guess you'd agree that if you were on the train entirely without ticket, he should have fined you, no? ...That's what the lady in the OPs case did. I would immdialtey fully agree if she bought the wrong ticket or the one hour ticket expired for five minutes. But I don't agree that supporting fare dodger is some act of kindness and much needed in Switzerland.

Trev -do not give your opinion on here. If it is the 'wrong' one, you will be flakked to death.
(I am speaking from experience).

I've made countless mistakes in the past but I noticed that the ones I paid for, I never repeated...

He doesn't. He puts forward a cogent argument.

You're still missing the point...

That's what she said???

That's a brilliant post; it summarizes the point of this whole thread: ticket inspectors should only fine persons they know for sure are ticket dodgers, and give chocolates to other ticketless travelers.

Dear readers,
This isn't about circumstances, it is about a rule which we must honour -we buy tickets before we jump on a bus.

I have been on a train with the wrong ticket, I told the conductor that I am happily ready to pay the fine, as it is my fault, and that it was me who had to verify & check before getting on the train...we're talking about a wrong ticket here & not the lack thereof.

Emotions often kick in situations like this, but in the end, we must respect the rules wherever we are & regardless of whether we're mothers or fathers etc.

One day I may forget to buy a ticket as I might be in a hurry to ride the train, if the conductor lets me walk away with no consequences, I will know full well that that same conductor fined somebody else with the same circumstances...that is unfair

__________________
ça m'est égal

Nir, Trev,
have you guys never been stopped for speeding, accidently running a red light, and let off with a warning by a police officer using his or her discretion ?