Melbourne has a very extensive system of trams. It networks the suburbs to the city and is pretty handy for those carless folks like me. However, the trams are fairly expensive, especially when you take them everywhere at all hours of the day.
Our friend Ping had told us that you can often hop on and off the tram without paying the tram fee. The penalty for getting caught without a ticket is over $100. Do you see where I am going with this story?
Last week Shaun and I were taking a tram home from the city when an Indian gentleman and lady cam over to us and demanded to see our tickets. They separated us and started questioning us about where we lived, if we knew each other etc etc. The tram rent-a-cop was pretty aggressive and wanted to know why my ticket wasn't validated (you're supposed to punch the ticket when you get on the tram).
Now I don't condone lying, especially to a very important foreign tram cop, but I was not about to pay a week's worth of rent to the Aussie government. Sorry. So I played the stupid American card, claiming I had just gotten to Melbourne, was staying in a hostel, and didn't know how to use the tram system. And after doing my best "valley girl" impression and tearing up a bit, he let me off the hook.
I don't exactly feel good about this tactic of playing into American stereotypes. Did it work? Yes. it's just a perk of having a foreign accent.
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That's the beauty of travelling. What doesn't kill you made you stronger, eh? I'm so proud of you ladies. You see, you have THIS ability within you and perhaps, you shall do this more often, eh? Pingo:)
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