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I am travelling to a less than safe area near Paris (for reasons outside of my influence). While I dont expect to get mugged I would like to be not fully unprepared. My French is at a low-level maybe A2. So while my strategy is to fully comply in a mugging situation, I would like to know what phrases I have to expect, so that I actually can comply.

What are common phrases used when getting mugged?

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  • I'm confused on this one. There are special phrases in this situation? Is it not just usually give me your wallet or I shall use this knife? – the other one Jun 14 '19 at 7:58
  • @theotherone how to say 'give me your wallet or I shall use this knife' (in French, preferably also French slang) – lalala Jun 14 '19 at 7:59
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    But do you even need to know the phrases? Surely if someone grabs you and starts waving a knife around, you already know that whatever they're saying is basically "give me your money or I'll stab you". – Chris H Jun 14 '19 at 8:03
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    I'm struggling to imagine how those two groups would be ambiguous, regardless of whether you understand the words they're saying. Muggings don't tend to involve a whole lot of subtlety, the fact you're being overtly threatened is the whole idea. – Chris H Jun 14 '19 at 8:09
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    I've been approached. I've never been unclear about whether or not they were threatening me with violence... But if that's your concern go ahead and use your A2 "je ne parle pas francais" and I'm sure they can find a non-verbal way to make it clear they're threatening you with violence, if that's their intention. – Chris H Jun 14 '19 at 8:24
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I got mugged when living in France. The phrase I remember them using during that experience was "vide les poches" (empty your pockets).

However, I'd agree with the comments on the original question, the fact that someone is trying to mug you should be apparent regardless of your competence in the language. Beggars will be persistent, sure, but it's very different to an actual "aggression".

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