I had an encounter with a bloke while walking home and it got me thinking. I'm not sure if this is the 'right' sub to be discussing this in, but on my normal account I frequent this sub often, read many posts, like what you guys say. If this is not the correct sub, then please point me in the correct way. I'm not used to writing these sort of posts, but here goes.

I was walking home in London (9pm) and a bloke stopped me to ask for a light. He was black, had a decentish accent, and was wheeling a bike. I wouldn't normally have stopped but had my headphones in and was caught a bit of guard. He may have said 'weed' as well, but I'm not sure. I said i didn't have a light and went to move on. He then asked if I lived around here, I said I didn't (a half truth as I mainly stay somewhere else but I was walking home). He then said that he lived down the road for some reason I can't remember, didn't have his key and could he have a train fare. I said that I didn't have any cash and left.

That was pretty much the whole encounter, it took about 40 seconds, but left me with many thoughts which maybe people here can explain. Being asked for a light is not infrequent in London, but it happens far more often after dark. Also, it is always men. It happens outside London too of course, but is it just a British thing? Normally I would just say no and walk on, so this was the 1st time I had 'participated' in the exchange. Is it some way of finding someone to rob? or just take advantage of? Way to feel dominance over someone else? I found it interesting how the guy I chatted with 'escalated' his requests from a light, to money. If I had been complicite would this have continued?

Thanks for any thoughts