The Importance of Conversation

Any stranger might well turn out to be an enemy. And it would be unwise to give such a person useful information. Evans pritchard's own situation was obviously relevant, since he was an agent of the british government. The same goes for small courtesies like asking for a light, or even for a cigarette. It seems more legitimate to ask a stranger for a cigarette than for an equivalent amount of cash or even food. If one has been identified as a fellow smoker, it's rather difficult to refuse such a request.