I used to get the train and bus to college, bought a five day travel card religiously from the station on a sunday at 5pm to start the following day so it worked monday to friday. I was sat on the bus on a friday and inspector got on and checked tickets, it was only then i noticed and he noticed my travel card out of date because when buying it they hadn't started it from the right day they started it on the sunday and it expired thursday. So the conductor was of course pulling me up in front of everyone, twas very embarrassing, I didnt make a scene, understood where he was coming from as i had an out of date ticket, didnt make a single jots bit of difference that it was their fault for not selling me the right one. I got off the bus, we had a chat, i explained what happened, I paid a ten pound fine and got on the next bus. Later that day in college the same inspector turned up, reimbursed my tenner, gave me a free one week travel card and apologised that I was sold the wrong travel card, he had checked it out against my debit card on their system and found the error.
I didn't act like a cocky ****, or say stuff like 'i can sit here all day mate' etc - I respected the guys authority and that he was doing his job. Something this kid clearly wasnt doing. Like I say we didnt see the start of it, but I doubt the old conductor went in there bull in china shop and started making trouble.