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[DiipuSurotu]

I didn't know GAF was that selfish. If the person doesn't look sketchy and the place is safe and it's only for a short call (or better yet, a text), I don't see why I wouldn't. Who knows, it might save someone's job / love life / etc.

 

[Tigress]

I didn't know GAF was that selfish. If the person doesn't look sketchy and the place is safe and it's only for a short call (or better yet, a text), I don't see why I wouldn't. Who knows, it might save someone's job / love life / etc.

Once again, some one who really can't afford to replace their phone if it gets stolen (plus all the info in the phone). I'm not adverse to dialing the number for them and using speakerphone but I've heard far too many stories of thieves who will ask to use the phone then run off. And just cause they don't look sketchy means nothing. It's not a risk I'm willing to take as this phone costs a lot of money for my budget.

And unless they are in a locked room and can't go anywhere, you're fooling yourself that once the phone is in their hands they can't just easily run off with it. I saw some one who a thief grabbed the phone from her in the middle of a busy store and ran. And she didn't even hand him the phone, he grabbed it from her hands.

 

[CarpeDeezNutz]

I made a thread on this before. A stranger asked for my phone and declined. I felt bad honestly.

Any of your cards on your phone?

Asking for a phone now is pretty much like asking to see your wallet these days.

 

[Unbounded]

Yeah.

My phone isn't exactly valuable and I've been in that situation before.

 

[coolasj19]

Geeze, you people.
I've asked to use someone's cellphone before.

Yeah man. Me too. Some guy asked to use my phone and we just get off a greyhound bus. He kept the phone off his ear (like I do when I need to ask) and stayed in one spot. He was asking his girlfriend if she deposited the money so he could get his relatives medicine. Guys, payphones don't exist anymore. Sometimes an emergency is an emergency. The only alternative is asking to use a nearby businesses phone but you have to hope they aren't an ass or that the person you're waiting for won't freak out you're not where you're supposed to be. It's just something nice you can do for other people that others have done for me. My phone has GPS, data wipe and I can file a stolen report.

 

[Tigress]

My phone has GPS, data wipe and I can file a stolen report.

That's nice. I bet you also can easily afford to replace it if it gets stolen (cause if you think the police are going to get your phone back you are really naive. Unless you live in a small town where they don't have far more important things to focus on than some one's phone).

Some of us that's not so easy if the phone is gone. I am not adverse to the suggestion of dialing and speakerphone, but no, I'm not handing it to some one so they can easily run off with it. Add in I'm a short female with a gimp foot so I would never catch up to them and even if I did most likely I'm no real threat.

 

[Two Words]

I didn't know GAF was that selfish. If the person doesn't look sketchy and the place is safe and it's only for a short call (or better yet, a text), I don't see why I wouldn't. Who knows, it might save someone's job / love life / etc.

So you'll only let them use your phone if they pass your profile test?

 

[The Lone Courier]

No

 

[coolasj19]

That's nice. I bet you also can easily afford to replace it if it gets stolen (cause if you think the police are going to get your phone back you are really naive. Unless you live in a small town where they don't have far more important things to focus on than some one's phone).
Some of us that's not so easy if the phone is gone. I am not adverse to the suggestion of dialing and speakerphone, but no, I'm not handing it to some one so they can easily run off with it. Add in I'm a short female with a gimp foot so I would never catch up to them and even if I did most likely I'm no real threat.

Nope. I'm freaking broke. At times, my phone is my lone luxury. At times in my past it's literally my most valuable possession. The reasoning of letting a random person use my phone or taking a greyhound bus from place to place is, nobody cares about you. Who in the world wants your phone? We individuals are not important to other random individuals. The only time we are is when we need each other. Like when needed to use someone's phone. And I'm more than happy to oblige if there's no present and obvious alternative.

EDIT : I believe all smartphones should have these features with the right app installed. It even has lock.

 

[Daniel Jackson]

I don't care for smartphones and I have a 20 euro flip phone.
But I still wouldn't let strangers use it

 

[TheJLC]

No i usually use the dead battery excuse. But ultimately letting someone borrow your phone is like handing them over your life. So much information is kept nowadays on your phone that it could ruin your life. Some people have nude pics, credit card/bank information or apps, email accounts, personal phone numbers of others, notes, map/gps tracking, home location, etc...

If someone needs to use a phone they better ask for a landline at an establishment or ask in a setting where they are not seen as a threat.

 

[TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared]

No why would I? I ain't getting robbed for being a mug.

 

[Tigress]

Nope. I'm freaking broke. At times, my phone is my lone luxury. At times in my past it's literally my most valuable possession. The reasoning of letting a random person use my phone or taking a greyhound bus from place to place is, nobody cares about you. Who in the world wants your phone? We individuals are not important to other random individuals. The only time we are is when we need each other. Like when needed to use someone's phone. And I'm more than happy to oblige if there's no present and obvious alternative.

EDIT : I believe all smartphones should have these features with the right app installed. It even has lock.

People who know they can sell my phone for a lot of money...Are you naive? Phones are totally a big thing for thieves to steal.

I'm not thinking they want to target me specifically. I am thinking though if they see my phone they will know it's worth something and decide to go after it. And if you think that doesn't happen, we already had a few stories in this thread of that exactly happening to people. So why are you acting like we're talking about stuff that doesn't ever happen? Cause it does and even some people here have experienced it happening!

I mean if I had a really old/outdated phone (especially if it was obvious it was worth nothing), I'd agree with you. But I don't. And I can't afford to buy it again and I don't want to have to go to some old, outdated phone. As I said, they can use it long as they are fine with the fact I'm not letting them hold it. And even then that might depend on if I think they're being honest or if they seem sketchy (cause thieves have also been known to grab it out of your hands and holding it out so they can use it makes it easier to do that even).

Are you that naive to think that smartphones don't have a huge black market for stolen phones? It's getting better as they are implementing more ways to make phones useless to thieves when they steal it (ways to brick the phone if it gets stolen so it becomes worthless. Eventually thieves won't find phones appealing cause they'll know the phone will just get bricked). But until that curbs smartphone theft, it really doesn't help me that I can brick my phone if the thief gets it, I'm still out that phone.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Only if I can outrun them.

Which means no.

But if you're feeling really trusty, ask for collateral like a wallet or watch if you really want to be nice.

 

[Strike]

I have done it a few times, but I always keep them in my sight.

 

[KingK]

Yes. I dial the number myself before i hand it to them though.

 

[chertipros]

I wouldn't refuse on principle or anything but if a dude is looking shady as fuck of course not.

 

[AxelFoley]

Hell to the no.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I did once. It was this girl that looked like she was 18 or 19 and had two kids with her. She looked disheveled so I felt bad, but I made sure I dialed the number for her (and dialed it blocked so whoever she was calling wouldn't have my number). She told the person she was calling where she was so they could come pick her up and that was it. I wouldn't make a habit out of it though.

 

[NullPointer]

When cell phones were brand new, sure.

But nowadays letting somebody use my phone would feel like letting them use my wallet. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[Saganator]

When cell phones were brand new, sure.

But nowadays letting somebody use my phone would feel like letting them use my wallet. Ain't gonna happen.

Yup. I use to let people use my flip and slider phones, but as soon as I moved on to an expensive smart phone that has tons of my personal info in it, fuck no.

A couple weeks ago some guy asked to use my phone, I said no, but I felt kinda bad about it, because I remember a time when I totally would've let him use it. I feel slightly better now that I've seen this thread and validated my feelings.

 

[nilbog21]

if i'm at school or work.. sure

walking on the streets of downtown.. no

i'd be impressed if they can outrun me

 

[Lagamorph]

There are people who just randomly ask people if they can use their mobile phone?

Um....no, no you can't. Go use a pay phone and reverse the charges if it's that important.

 

[TwoDurans]

Absolutely not. The most bacteria we come into contact with on a daily basis is on the screen of your phone. The only consolation for me is that it's my bacteria...

 

[RBK]

Sure, why not?

If someone wants to act stupid with my gesture of kindness, it's a perfect opportunity to release some anger.

 

[Beerman462]

I'll dial the number for the randoms and turn on speaker phone. (Or just let him use to wireless headset.)

Never had anyone ask, but this was my thought.

 

[Slayer-33]

Hot girls or older people or people you could judge to be sane and in need of assistance.

 

[Pankratous]

The only people I would ever lend my phone to are those with kids because there's very little chance of them being malicious.

 

[Dr_Boris_Goltz]

I try to be pretty generous, but I won't give random people rides, or my phone.

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

I have a dumbphone, so yeah idc. Though, obviously, make a judgement call on the persons appearance and attitude, and your setting (not to worried about being robbed in a dentist waiting room by an old lady).

One time I was walkin down the street alone at 1am and a guy crossed teh street and asked to use my phone. He looked chill, so I let him. He just made a quick call, then gave me a beer as thanks. Had a tasty walk home. Not everyone is an asshole.

I'll probably stop when I get a better phone though...

 

[Bluekaveli]

My brother once let a stranger use his phone.

The person in question called 911 to report that their girlfriend was beating them up. Didn't give enough details before they hung up.

The phone account address was my parent's house. The police came over to my parent's house and assumed my mom was beating up my dad.

It was hilarious.

lmfao

 

[GulAtiCa]

Maybe at work I would, since in an office and easy to track down someone from a different office.

In pubic? No. Esp if something like on Marta. Don't trust random people.

 

[Westraid]

Sure, no problem.

 

[Xe4]

Nope. One time I was at a super sketchy gas station with my friend cause he had to go to the bathroom, and a very obvious drug addict asked for my phone. I told him I didn't have one. He wen't into the gas station, and a few minutes later he came out walking super briskly. Then a minutes or so my friend came out asking if the guy had left.

Apparently my dumb ass friend not only gave the person his phone, but went and used the bathroom while the very obvious heroin addict was using it. It to this day astounds me that someone could be that street-dumb.

 

[Donos]

even back in my Nokia 3310 days i was not a fan of it (got asked maybe twice) but now, handing a stranger a 500 € device? (have One M8) Hell no.

 

[THRILLH0]

I'm a reasonable person so yeah, sure.

 

[Cotton McKnight]

I didn't know GAF was that selfish. If the person doesn't look sketchy and the place is safe and it's only for a short call (or better yet, a text), I don't see why I wouldn't. Who knows, it might save someone's job / love life / etc.

I see your attempt at guilting, but my answer would still be nope. "Is it an emergency? It is? Ok I'll the cops for ya." Besides that "Nah thanks"

 

[BPoole]

They have to give me the number and I hold the phone while they talk on speaker phone

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I didn't know GAF was that selfish. If the person doesn't look sketchy and the place is safe and it's only for a short call (or better yet, a text), I don't see why I wouldn't. Who knows, it might save someone's job / love life / etc.

what does "looks sketchy" mean? And is judging someone in that way any worse than being selfish?

 

[BCDAWG7]

No never. Had a person start cussing me out when I told her no.

 

[waypoetic]

If my phone was an old busted Nokia 3310 - sure! But mine is a Xperia Z2 and i will hit you with this huge ass piece of phone if you try anything stupid!

 

[Adnor]

No, if I don't know someone I will not trust anything to them. Paranoid? Yeah, but I don't care.

 

[Madness]

Never. I did once back in the day when phones like Nokia and Motorola were the norm and not everyone had one. But these days, we all have smartphones.

If some sketchy looking dude or girl comes up to me, I'm going to wonder why they don't have one. Very rarely is anything an emergency and if so, I'm happily able to call 911 and provide assistance if you need it. Otherwise, sorry, you can go somewhere else, or enter a business and ask to use their landline or something.

That being said, I'm pretty buff and grew my beard out during the winter. I look intimidating enough that I doubt someone who wants to start something will come up to me.

 

[Reset]

Guys, payphones don't exist anymore.

They do, where I live.

 

[amnesiac]

The other day at a grocery store an older lady asked if she could use my phone because her phone died and she didn't know where her husband had parked. Of course I let her use it. I wasn't going to pull a "lol not activated" there or something.

 

[Aselith]

I have never and will never lend out my phone. If there's an emergency, for sure, I'll call 911 for you. Some sketchy random asked me for my phone in public a while back and without eye contact I just assertively said "nope"

Why no eye contact, coward? Look me in the eye when you won't let me call my sick kid on his birthday!

 

[Adnor]

Why no eye contact, coward? Look me in the eye when you won't let me call my sick kid on his birthday!

Well it's not his fault that you don't have a phone, he's just not letting you use his phone, you can ask another person

 

[Skeyser]

Maybe depending on how they look, like what's an old lady gonna do, go Usain bolt on me and sprint away with my phone?

 

[Durask]

Unless it's a situation where it's "you give us your phone and maybe we won't rip your eyeballs out" - no way, get lost.

 

[Durask]

what does "looks sketchy" mean? And is judging someone in that way any worse than being selfish?

I dunno, track marks for examle.
Smelling of alcohol.
Smelling of feces.