Col1 Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 Imagine you are sitting outside in public area. You just finished a call and put your phone away. A stranger (aged 18 to 50) walks up to you and asks to use your cell phone (does not appear to be an emergency). What is your response?
veggirl Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 Hell no. I'd say my battery died or just "no, sorry" and walk away. My friend just had her cell snatched out of her hand while she was texting a couple months ago. 3
Always Pondering Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 I'd say no since it's not an emergency and I'm not comfortable with random people having possession of my cellphone without a good reason to. I only did it once but it was a student who had an emergency and I stood about six feet from him just in case he was lying and decided to run away. 1
Author Col1 Posted July 13, 2014 Author Posted July 13, 2014 I have been getting this request by random strangers to use my cell more frequently. Often I will not even have the phone out. But I'm sure they can see the rectangle shape in pocket. More recently I am getting backtalk when I politely decline their request. Stuff, like I'm being stingy or I am a waste to humanity. I let them have those last words as they walk away. They walk away to ask someone else down the road... who lets them use their cell. Makes me look like I've got the problem. I just wanted to post this question on here to see if I'm being selfish. Thank for you feedback. 1
Smilecharmer Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 I usually say, Oops, my battery is dead. Unless it is an elderly person or small child, then I allow it based on their need. 2
Bigcitydreamer Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 This has happened to me and I find it very weird when people come up to you and ask to use your phone but I find it difficult to say no and think what's the worse that can happen. I'm also the type of person who pretty much always gives beggars change. So generally I would say yes unles there is a major red flag telling me not to.
GravityMan Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 No. Only people who I know very well, like and trust will be allowed to use my cell. No exceptions. Even in the case of an emergency, I'd rather make the call myself. Depending on the nature of the emergency, perhaps I'll have the stranger guide me on what to say. Some people are deceptive. 4
ltjg45 Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 I have in the past but considering that my phone is $300+ and I can't trust some random person catching the public city bus with me, I do need to stop. There is enough people that I can't trust that will loan their phone to you without me doing it and risking you running away with it. 2
Keenly Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 Yes, this has only happened to me about 4 times, but I always have. One time a little old lady came into my former former former job (Wendys) and asked to use to use the phone so she could call for a ride. My manager gave her the most cold "No" and turned around and walked away. I gave her my phone and let her use it. I guess it depends on the situation. If the person is well kept and looks like a functioning member of society ( or an attractive woman that I can tell to put HER phone number in there ) Ill probably let them. If its a homesless transient that smells worse than a pile of manure, no sir. I don't need to give a reason why to them either, I'd just say no. 3
Shepp Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 Normally sure! Though like Keenly id do a quick up and down - if I didn't trust them id either make an excuse or ask why. Normally id let them, and have let folk ..........Even if they tried to nick it they'd have to out run me
pink_sugar Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 "Sorry, my battery is nearly dead." Unless you have a cheap basic phone...better to be safe than sorry.
thefooloftheyear Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 One of the great things about being miserable is that strangers(and salespeople, smokers. Jehovas Witnesses, etc) tend to leave me alone and go bother someone else... TFY
Harradin Posted July 14, 2014 Posted July 14, 2014 Nope, but then I won't let anyone use my phone, I'm rather possessive/protective over my stuff! My friends like to do things like fraping etc so I make sure they can't
TigerLilly78 Posted July 14, 2014 Posted July 14, 2014 Ide make the call for them if it was an emergency or make the call via speaker phone if they needed to talk to some one that bad. But no I wouldn't hand my phone over to much of a chance they would do a runner with it.. 2
TigerLilly78 Posted July 14, 2014 Posted July 14, 2014 This has happened to me and I find it very weird when people come up to you and ask to use your phone but I find it difficult to say no and think what's the worse that can happen. I'm also the type of person who pretty much always gives beggars change. So generally I would say yes unles there is a major red flag telling me not to. Yeah I use to do that until I offered to buy them the food instead of giving them the money surprise they declined and said they wanted the cash..that's a scam most of the time were im living now they do the same thing beggars begging in the streets signs they need food then you watch them close up shop and walk out of the grocery with a 12 pack and nothing else at the end of the day..its sad but true.. 1
pink_sugar Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 No. Even if it's an emergency, I can make the call for him. ^^^my thoughts exactly!
Eggplant Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Yes. People who need to borrow a stranger's phone are generally in some sort of problem, and tomorrow I may be in that situation. Additionally, my phone cost me $9.99. 1
todreaminblue Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I do let people use my phone i have never had anyone do a runner the people who have asked me have been extremely frazzled ......i have offered before being asked ...my phone is just a phone its not that sacred......if someone did a runner i would get over it.....they must have needed it more than me...i would be pissed but as i said i would get over it.....my whole wallet with all my id now thats another matter...wish they woudl just take the money out and throw the wallet back at me..deb
Sulayman Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Additionally, my phone cost me $9.99. and what if your phone's costed you more than 100 $ ?? would you?
snappytomcat Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I usually will just ask for the number they want to call,and call for them,the last time,it was a teenager whos car broke down,and wanted to call his dad,so I called dad for him,and gave him the address at were he was at
Tayla Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 I rarely allow strangers near my phone. reason One: Germs. reason two: More germs. reason 3: I do not care for strangers re-calling my phone asking for the person who called them. My phone is not a party line. And yes, there are many runners and no they don't need my phone more then me...if they did, there are programs that they can sign up for that give out phones in return for services. basically, buy your own, don't steal it. I will let people borrow my charger though, cause I do feel bad for folks that need that energy to recharge the line so they can make that private call. 1
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