One theme of "Tickets, Please" is the change in the gender balance of the workforce, specifically male-female, that has resulted from World War I. Since many men were enlisted into the military, women stepped into the labor market out of necessity. Though the tram service is considered the “most dangerous,” it is conducted almost entirely by women. At the beginning of the story, Lawrence describes the new female streetcar conductors as "fearless young hussies," and calls the female protagonist, Annie Stone, "a tartar." Though the women who take the place of men on the trams are tough, Lawrence describes them in a way that suggests that their boldness and strength are ugly and hideous rather than admirable and courageous. The men working are “unfit for active service: cripples and hunchbacks.” These men who cannot serve due to physical health or disability are now working in a female-dominated sector. Either way, it seems that no one working the trams wins the approval of the narrator, or Lawrence himself.

In the middle part of the story, Annie goes to a fair with the dashing John Joseph, an inspector who has dated many of the female tram conductors. Their script follows the traditional male-female dating pattern, as they have a good time, but Annie wants more from him. Lawrence writes, "Annie wanted to consider him a person, a man; she wanted to take an intelligent interest in him, and to have an intelligent response." However, John Joseph, in a typical male pattern, has moved on to greener pastures and has lost interest in Annie. The last part of the story challenges the traditional male-female dominance pattern physically as Annie and her friends unleash an attack on John Joseph. It's clear that Lawrence is suggesting that wartime has heralded a new era in male-female relationships, one in which women will challenge their traditionally subordinate role. What's not clear in this ambiguous, complex story is whether Lawrence regards the women's challenge as positive or negative. John Joseph is portrayed as a thoughtless cad, but the animal-like way in which Annie and the other women attack him is described as savage. Perhaps Lawrence is suggesting that no one will come out ahead in the new war between men and women unleashed by the modern age.

In the story, Annie Stone has developed romantic and sexual feelings for John Joseph. They have a unique friendship and seem to understand each other quite well; their connection lends itself to a more serious romantic relationship. However, Annie finds herself jilted by John Joseph—betrayed—due to his belief that she is a “possessive female.” John Joseph has betrayed many women who have worked in the tram service. He lacks respect for them and dumps them when he has gotten what he wants. Later in the story, John Joseph is also betrayed by the women he has scorned. When the women decide he is not worth marrying—and that whoever he chose would be unlucky—they attempt to give him a taste of his own medicine. It is disturbing to read and leaves the audience questioning which betrayal is the worst.