OK, put it this way - just because you're okay with being an asshole, that doesn't mean everyone is. It was probably general irritation on their part.

Class solidarity? You just admitted that you asked to be let on free a couple of times because you were "forgetful" about getting a Charlie card. I consider myself working class, and it's never occurred to me that I can expect other working class people to do me a solid just on that basis.

I have lived in different cities and traveled a bit. What you do when you're "not from there" is you do a little research on where you're going to suss out things like public transit, local etiquette, whether street drinking is allowed, etc. It's about being respectful.