theft

[Mario]

So, me and the missus managed to ruin a Sunday outing because I said one of her friends was no better than a thief to his face.

Basically he thinks its fine to fare dodge on a train. I said it was stealing. He said he didn't want to line the pockets of a profit making organisation. I said you're wearing Nike. He said that was different. That's a risk thing. He's more likely to get caught stealing clothes than dodging a fair. I said so its still stealing then? He then said he didn't think it was worth it. I said well why don't you get the bus then? He then went on about the privatisation of the rail network, at which point I called him a thief. This didn't go down well with him or my missus.

Am I wrong? Have I missed something?

 

[Henry8362]

theft
noun /THeft/ 
thefts, plural

The action or crime of stealing
- he was convicted of theft
- the latest theft happened at a garage


Nope, nailed it on the head :first: i know it shouldn't make a difference, but whats the distance of the journey he was dodging, or did he not say?

 

[BaconDude]

I think you're in the right there.

How ever timing on saying he's a theif could be improved

 

[Liam92]

its just because there is greater chance that you can get away with not paying for a train ticket that people find it almost acceptable. from a personal perspective, i spend a shedload on my transport during uni term (£440 gets me through 20 weeks of term) and get given sod all by the government or uni to pay for this. so i will say that when my ticket expires if i get on a train and have the oppertunity to get off at my stop and walk out without paying then i will quite happily do it because after paying £1000's i think it would be a common courtesy to at least give me a free ride every now and again. i think my personal situation was made worse when i lost a £200+ ticket on a train not long after purchase and was told by said company that 'i'm f*cked' (i quote) and was made to purchase another full price ticket even though i could prove i had purchased such tickets on many occasions. i'm sure other students will agree you don't tend to have this kind of money lying around.

so for me when i fork out a small fortune for them on a regular basis then it p!sses me off to be made to look the bad guy if i board a train without a ticket once every 6 months or so after lining their pockets.

but i definately disapprove of those who are not regularly paying for tickets and treat it like their own personal free transport system when so many people are paying a fortune for the same service.

 

[pbzatch]

A business either provides goods or service. National Rail provides a service. Using the service avoiding paying (as sometimes ticket offices are closed or machines not working), I would say, is stealing.

 

[Liam92]

A business either provides goods or service. National Rail provides a service. Using the service avoiding paying (as sometimes ticket offices are closed or machines not working), I would say, is stealing.

for sure there is absolutely no disputing that when it boils down to it, riding for free is stealing.

my problem is the logical reasoning behind people deciding if it is acceptable to steal in this case or not.

 

[Missy-Q]

I think 'Scumbag' would be a better word to use. Thief is a word that, to me, implies taking something without asking. Fare dodging is a bit like running into a store while leaving your car outside, without putting money in the meter. I think if you use the word theft, then if you get caught, the law have to become involved, typa thing.

It's not like you're accusing him of 'time-theft'. People that accuse other people of 'time-theft' are total *******s.

 

[Soul Doubt]

I would say from the infomation you have provided, you may have been a tad extreme in calling him a theif, which then alienated you from both him and your other half.

On the subject of skipping fares on trains i take the stance of if no one asks me to purchase a ticket, and their are no barriers then i wont go out my way to buy one simply to put it in the bin. recently going to germany has shown me the effectiveness of their public transport system, which was truely and efficient and effective public service. Unlike the private compaines of the rail industry, who generate vast porfits buy raising prices and lowering standards.

However, doesnt mean we should all not pay for train journeys, at the end of the day we pay for a service they provide, and those hard working rail staff would be out of a job as compaines like these cut pay and conditions first to save profit margins.

The RMT's website is a great source of infomation on subjects around the rail service, especially on the nationalisation of the railways.

Anyway my 2p

Cheerio
DC

 

[Mario]

I would say from the infomation you have provided, you may have been a tad extreme in calling him a theif, which then alienated you from both him and your other half.

On the subject of skipping fares on trains i take the stance of if no one asks me to purchase a ticket, and their are no barriers then i wont go out my way to buy one simply to put it in the bin. recently going to germany has shown me the effectiveness of their public transport system, which was truely and efficient and effective public service. Unlike the private compaines of the rail industry, who generate vast porfits buy raising prices and lowering standards.

However, doesnt mean we should all not pay for train journeys, at the end of the day we pay for a service they provide, and those hard working rail staff would be out of a job as compaines like these cut pay and conditions first to save profit margins.

DC

Your hypocrisy is breathtaking. On the one hand you say you won't go out of your way to buy a ticket, essentially because you don't want to pay for something you'll put in the bin.

Then on the other hand you say we shouldn't all not pay because then they will be out of a job.

You use something you pay for it. It's simple?

Surely you see that right?

 

[I can't shoot straight]

I have always paid for my train tickets, "with a wife and 3 kids cost's a lot" but I would say if someone does not want to pay then let them get on with it. You will not get the fine so does it matter.