Loving the life of a galactic pacifist! Still haven't fired a single shot in the game so far (better than the BBC O.G. that you can do this). Up to a Merchant in trading and Pathfinder in Explorer, a Midshipman with the Feds and pals with numerous minor factions. Trying to get to Elite in trading and exploring without firing a single shot or ever having weapons.
My tips for "run away, run away" when you get in interdictions on approaching a station:
1. Throttle down and submit (easier to run and the FSD comes back quicker)
2. Throttle up and boost, boost, boost again (4 pips in Eng for boost replenishment, 2 in sys for shields)
3. FSD as soon as it's online, if they cancel that - boost a couple more times then try - you stay on target if you submit.
4. If they get you again, some are persistent, don't slow down approaching the station - fly by and turn-around (I've bounced one interdictor off a planet like that)
5. If they still interdict, try the mini-game one time - be subtle with the ships movements
6. If that doesn't work - boost a couple of times and hyper-space off to a different system (only have stations and systems selected on the panel)
7. If you just make it to the station, and see fire flashes or get an angry message, don't slow-down until you enter the "no fire zone". Then sit back and watch them on the scanner.
Kit whatever ship out with hull re-enforcement, a hull upgrade (if you can afford it - military).
Throttle up coming out of hyperspace near a star - going away from it stops a lot of grief.
Tips for pacifist ships = Adder, Cobra Mk 3 and Asp Explorer.
Give that 4,000cr to charity at every station that asks! (The Charlie Brooker show "How Video Games Changed the World" has a great interview with Braben about the unintentional 80's zeitgeist of the O.G. game (and a great quote by someone who said it came from the future) - galactic pacifists honour him by not selling slaves or having hardpoints). [big grin]
Any other tips on a conscience clear trading/exploring galactic life very welcome.