Once per week, I have the privilege of experiencing the morning commute. That means taking an 8:00 a.m. jam-packed (but silent) train, dodging lots of frazzled people running for trams, and getting to watch the lack of progress on the construction that has taken over the Centraal Station. But the best part? Watching the battle of the free dailies.

Free daily newspapers seem to be the latest trend in commuter culture. There's now three that haunt all major Dutch train stations: Metro, De Pers (Gratis, maar niet goedkoop!), and Spits. Sometimes they can be found neatly stacked in a labeled bin, but more often they litter the ground, the train, and the stairs when people have tired of them after scanning the headlines for five minutes.

But the most interesting way they are handed out is by individuals. These warriors stand, strategically blocking every entrance and every passageway, waving the papers in my face as I try to dodge them. They have the tendency to form strategic lines: If I miss the Metro guy, then the Spits girl is right beyond him, ready to pounce.

I'm proud to say I have not given in to their pressure. I use my train time to work or to practice Spanish, and have sworn not contribute to the mess of newspaper that clogs the morning commute.