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iPhone XS Max What would you do if a random person asks if he can use your new iPhone Xs Max?

It depends on the context of the situation.

For example, I’m a teacher, and back in June I was manning the door at my school’s commencement event. A middle aged lady was a bit distraught because her child had her ticket and they had arrived separately. Anyway, long story sort, she asked to use my phone to get in touch with her son. It’s a big school so I didn’t know every graduate, let alone every parent, so for all I knew it could have been an elaborate scam, but based on the situation I figured that this middle-aged woman was probably not going to try to bolt with my phone in the middle of a lobby of a public event. I didn’t even dial for her. I unlocked my phone, opened the keypad and handed it to her. I also trusted that she wasn’t going to take the opportunity to rifle through the contents of my phone. I was looking right at her the whole time, after all.

My point is just that the setting and context of the situation matters. I’ve never done this, but strangers have handed me their phones to take a picture of them and their family on vacation. I’ve always marvelled at the degree of trust that requires. I’m a fairly athletic man in my 30s. I could bolt pretty quickly if I wanted to...
 
Sure. I’ve done it a few times in the past. And if I could tell it was definitely an emergency I wouldn’t think twice. If I get robbed, that’s what insurance is for.

But I’m not going to just say no to someone because I paid so much for this thing. In the end it’s a phone, and if someone really needs one I don’t mind lending mine.

I guess it’s a difference in where I’m from. Raised in Oklahoma but now live in LA. I’ve only ever asked to borrow a phone from someone once. And he didn’t hesitate. I didn’t know much about phones at the time but I knew his looked weird and the company logo was Vertu. If someone can willingly hand over a hard to get $5K - $10K phone without a second thought who am I to say no with this massed produced easy to replace iPhone?
 
This happened to me on a bus a few years ago... I was the only other person inside at the time, the bus was stopped for a while. I had the latest iPhone at the time, suddenly this stranger asks me if he can use my phone to call his aunt. I was really suspicious, given that the bus is stopped and door was open, but I was the only other person there and kinda gave in. I hovered around his seat so he can't get up and run off easily while he made his call. He gave me the phone back and thanked me, I took it back and sat back on my seat feeling a little bad about myself.

If I were stopped in middle of a street or somewhere open with other people around, I would definitely refuse, however.
 
bradley8795 said:
Sure. I’ve done it a few times in the past. And if I could tell it was definitely an emergency I wouldn’t think twice. If I get robbed, that’s what insurance is for.

But I’m not going to just say no to someone because I paid so much for this thing. In the end it’s a phone, and if someone really needs one I don’t mind lending mine.

I guess it’s a difference in where I’m from. Raised in Oklahoma but now live in LA. I’ve only ever asked to borrow a phone from someone once. And he didn’t hesitate. I didn’t know much about phones at the time but I knew his looked weird and the company logo was Vertu. If someone can willingly hand over a hard to get $5K - $10K phone without a second thought who am I to say no with this massed produced easy to replace iPhone?
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As was mentioned earlier in this thread, it is not just a phone. It is a COMPUTER with lots of personal and important information on it. I would tell the person to F**K off and die.
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Sumter said:
This happened to me on a bus a few years ago... I was the only other person inside at the time, the bus was stopped for a while. I had the latest iPhone at the time, suddenly this stranger asks me if he can use my phone to call his aunt. I was really suspicious, given that the bus is stopped and door was open, but I was the only other person there and kinda gave in. I hovered around his seat so he can't get up and run off easily while he made his call. He gave me the phone back and thanked me, I took it back and sat back on my seat feeling a little bad about myself.

If I were stopped in middle of a street or somewhere open with other people around, I would definitely refuse, however.
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You... were lucky.
[doublepost=1537803410][/doublepost]Other than calling an ambulance, what kind of "emergency" would really require an instant phone call? "I am gonna be late?" "Bring milk when you come?" ""I need more oxycontin?"
 
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212rikanmofo said:
Since this phone is the most expensive phone ever. What would you guys do in a situation where you were lets say at a mall or somewhere in public and a stranger asks if he can use your phone to make a quick call due to an emergency. What would you do?

I'm especially curious to know what you caseless and naked iphone xs max users would do.
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I imagine I'd do the same thing I'd do if he asked to borrow my car or sleep on my couch. Say no.
 
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Wait...so the majority of the people here would refuse letting someone make a phone call who seems to have an emergency just because this is the "most expensive phone" you've had? What happened to humanity?

Hell yes I would let them use my XS Max! Having been in the situation before where I was without a phone and needed to reach out to someone...these things DO happen. Not every single person is looking at your phone as a target of theft.

With that said, there is no black and white answer. Assess the situation and use your best judgement. There is no way though I can sit here and say I would have a blanket "NO". If I feel it's truly an emergency and this call can help, go for it, stranger. However, if it felt sketchy to me, then my actions would adapt to the scenario.
 
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I rarely take my iPhone out in public on the street (on the commuter railroad yes), and never on a subway or bus.

Any new model, I’d politely refuse.

This was also due to my otherwise sweet ex-boss who nearly dropped my 6 moments after I got back from the store.
 
jnick said:
Wait...so the majority of the people here would refuse letting someone make a phone call who seems to have an emergency just because this is the "most expensive phone" you've had? What happened to humanity?

Hell yes I would let them use my XS Max! Having been in the situation before where I was without a phone and needed to reach out to someone...these things DO happen. Not every single person is looking at your phone as a target of theft.

With that said, there is no black and white answer. Assess the situation and use your best judgement. There is no way though I can sit here and say I would have a blanket "NO". If I feel it's truly an emergency and this call can help, go for it, stranger. However, if it felt sketchy to me, then my actions would adapt to the scenario.
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Two words. Social. Engineering.
 
jnick said:
Wait...so the majority of the people here would refuse letting someone make a phone call who seems to have an emergency just because this is the "most expensive phone" you've had? What happened to humanity?

Hell yes I would let them use my XS Max! Having been in the situation before where I was without a phone and needed to reach out to someone...these things DO happen. Not every single person is looking at your phone as a target of theft.

With that said, there is no black and white answer. Assess the situation and use your best judgement. There is no way though I can sit here and say I would have a blanket "NO". If I feel it's truly an emergency and this call can help, go for it, stranger. However, if it felt sketchy to me, then my actions would adapt to the scenario.
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I would refuse to let ANYONE use my phone to make a call. if they truly have an emergency and I didn't feel unsafe doing so... than I may make a call to them.

but otherwise NFW am I handing some random stranger my phone only to possible have them run off with it!
 
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Cape Dave said:
Two words. Social. Engineering.
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caligurl said:
I would refuse to let ANYONE use my phone to make a call. if they truly have an emergency and I didn't feel unsafe doing so... than I may make a call to them.

but otherwise NFW am I handing some random stranger my phone only to possible have them run off with it!
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Seems a bit paranoid to me. Any one individual with basic common sense (not personally attacking either of you, speaking generally) should be able to discern whats a legitimate emergency versus an attempt at social engineering. Once the decision hits you that it's a real emergency...zero hesitation. Try being in the other persons shoes and think about how much help one phone call could make.
 
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I'd hand the phone over then quickly assume the rear naked choke position, tell the dude to do his business and then wait till he taps out. Or goes unconscious. If you need to use the phone then OK but under my terms. But that's just me.
 
If it was really needed, I would ask them if it was OK to make the phone call on speakerphone while I hold it. If not, have a nice day or hand them a quarter and let them find one of the handful of payphones in NYC.
 
kargurin said:
I'd hand the phone over then quickly assume the rear naked choke position, tell the dude to do his business and then wait till he taps out. Or goes unconscious. If you need to use the phone then OK but under my terms. But that's just me.
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This is why psychological tests to buy guns should be stricter
 
NEVER would do that here in California... people have even been stabbed when giving homeless money. How many times do parents say "don't talk to strangers"? It's common sense. Sad fact of life now in days with such relaxed laws (at least in blue states like CA).
 
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jnick said:
Seems a bit paranoid to me. Any one individual with basic common sense (not personally attacking either of you, speaking generally) should be able to discern whats a legitimate emergency versus an attempt at social engineering. Once the decision hits you that it's a real emergency...zero hesitation. Try being in the other persons shoes and think about how much help one phone call could make.
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I have picked up many a hitchhiker back in the day. Been picked up alot too. But that was different times. Nobody ever thinks they can get socially engineered. Ever. And yet, many do. Often because they have stuff on their mind that keeps them from thinking clearly. I have known some seriously intelligent people that clicked on the wrong SPAM and broke their computer.

Still wondering what kind of "emergency" requires a phone call with me making a decision in ten seconds? Obviously, a car accident is one. In which case I would call the police. I am from NYC. And believe me, there were many scammers around and this was 30 years before the Interwebs. Many. 3 Card Monty anyone?
 
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