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I assume it's a global thing but in London there is a category of beggar that doesn't really look like a beggar. They usually have a story about their car runni
by DharmaPolice 4y ago
I assume it's a global thing but in London there is a category of beggar that doesn't really look like a beggar. They usually have a story about their car running out of petrol or losing their train ticket. I've been approached by the same guy two days running telling me that he just lost his train ticket a few minutes before (what an unlucky guy).
My point is that in cities you evolve an attitude that pretty much anyone who walks up to you with a sob story is likely to be at best a beggar and at worst a thief/scammer. I think you could get someone to make a call on your behalf but actually handing you their phone (even for a moment) - that might be less common than you think.
- llanowarelves 4y agoAlso our phones are >= $1000 devices. How are we supposed to trust handing that to just anyone?
- balaji1 4y agoI have faced this before - A stranger dialed the number I wanted to call, put it on speaker and let me speak to my friend.
- llanowarelves 4y agoGood idea. Hadn't even thought of that since the question is usually "can I borrow your phone" which implies handing it over.
- schoen 4y agoI did this recently for a homeless woman on the street. In my case I was more concerned about COVID risk than the risk of her stealing my phone (as I had a bicycle and she didn't, and she looked tired and emaciated and unlikely to be able to harm me). As a result, I overheard her entire long desperate attempt to persuade her mother to give her another other other other last chance. :-( :-( :-(
- prmoustache 4y agoNot true. Most people aren't using and can't afford the flagship models. I personnally have never bought a smartphone more than 180€ and I know a lot of people doing the same thing.
- llanowarelves 4y agoDo they have monthly payments for phones in Europe, or is it all just one lump-sum payment? Most people I know have flagship phones and the ability to make many smaller payments may have something to do with that.
- prmoustache 4y agoMonthly payments exist and some people use them to pay for a flagship phone but most people understand this is just diguised credit and they'd rather have a cheaper subscription. Also I've seen people do that drop/lose/get their expensive phone stolen and then pay for almost 2 years for a device they don't use. The replacement is usually a lot cheaper and they realize their life is not that different with a cheaper smartphone and don't repeat the experience unless they are social status show offs.