[Lazamataz]

The most common pre-mugging or pre-beating question a feral youth will ask is, “Hey buddy, got a cigarette?” or “Hey, got a light?”

Warning bells should sound if anyone asks you these questions.

[Travis McGee]

Sadly, millions of parents from suburbia never learned this, and are too PC-minded to ever pass such lore onto their offspring. So they go as lambs to slaughter when they walk into Realityville, USA.

[PapaBear3625]

The most common pre-mugging or pre-beating question a feral youth will ask is, “Hey buddy, got a cigarette?” or “Hey, got a light?” Warning bells should sound if anyone asks you these questions.

It's done for the same reason that a shark bumps an intended victim before biting. You see what reaction you get before committing to an attack. If the target gives an impression of weakness, then they attack.