WOuld you give your cellphone number to a guy you just met in the bus?

Philippines
May 2, 2007 2:40am CST
I was waiting in line at the bus stop this morning to go to work when the guy behind me asked for directions. Then, he started to have a decent conversation with me and asked my name. We chatted for a few minutes until the bus came and as i was about to go up the bus, he asked for my cellphone number. I really didnt know what to say because i dont give my numbers to strangers but i didnt know what to say or how to reject him so i ended up giving him my cellphone number. Do you think it was a bad idea? If you are in such a situation, how would you react and how would you reject him politely if ever?
6 people like this
16 responses
@aliasad (1567)
• Pakistan
2 May 07
It depends upon the other person. I think if you meet a stranger but you can easily judge what sort of meeting he had with you. If he is cahtting with you, you could also had some chat with him. So, if the level of confidence remains poor, one must never give cell number quite possible it will be exploited hmmmm there is nothing impossible in this modern age. yes, if politely you can end up... a wise decision it would be. Best you luck & take care.
• Philippines
2 May 07
thanks, would you mind suggesting as to how i can politely refuse to give my number? i mean, i didnt want to give my number but i just cant come up with a polite or good excuse so i ended up just giving him.
• United States
2 May 07
Next time that happens simply say "how about you give me YOUR number?" and smile winningly at him. if he is honestly interested in you then he will give up his number straight away. if he hems and haws about it and then asks for yours again..just tell him "I dont give my cell number out to just anyone i just met and if you really want to get to know me better you're gonna have to give me yours." if he still wont....walk away. something is wrong with his whole situation if he isnt willing to give his number after that.
3 people like this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
2 May 07
I like this answer about asking for his number. That's a good idea because then if he happens to be married or something he won't want to give it to you.
2 people like this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
2 May 07
I think it's okay as long as you have an interest in getting to know him better. It's better than giving him your home phone number because then he can track where you live and if he ends up being the wrong sort you'd be in trouble. It doesn't hurt to get to know someone and it's best to have a few good conversations with them before going out someplace with them. If you continue on be sure to go to public places at first so you feel safe, after all not only do you not know this guy but neither does anyone you know or trust. If you didn't want to speak to him you shouldn't have given him your number, depending on how safe you felt you should have told him either you weren't interested in a relationship or anything or give him a wrong number.
3 people like this
• Philippines
3 May 07
thanks missybal! i guess you said it all. giving a wrong number IS a good idea, i'll make sure i have that in mind just in case i encounter the same situation again. hope you dont mind if i share a fact about this though..there are some people here that if they get your cellphone number, they try to ring or miss call you at once to check if the number is really correct.. it is also one way for them to let their own number register in your phone so you will know theirs ..
2 people like this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
3 May 07
I never ran into that problem... however I see what you mean. However I can tell you even after 2 years of having the same cell phone number the other day I forgot what it was. lol. I would say when you give it act like you are running late and flee as quick as possible.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
2 May 07
i think i won't give my cellphone to a stranger who i just meet or don't know well enough... the risk is too much... there are so many bad people out there nowadays and it pays to be a little bit cautious to protect ourselves... we won't know what that person might use our cellphone for... i will definitely reject it and if i am force to give (which i think he can't and if he is, that just goes to show that he is a bad person), then i will give him my false number...
3 people like this
@jencai (3412)
• Philippines
2 May 07
I guess I would react the same with you. There are some time when we don't know what to do, specially if the person who ask for favor looks sincere and with genuine intentions. But in most cases I don't give my number to anyone. I don't even tell them that I have cellphone with me. Who knows? They might rob us un some way.
3 people like this
• Philippines
3 May 07
In our country, almost every one here owns a cellphone, even the squatters or the people who live in the slums so I didnt really have to tell or show him that i have a cellphone.. But you are right, if he first asked if i have a cellphone, i definitely would have answered no first for safety and second, so he wouldnt end up asking for my number.. thanks for your opinion!
2 people like this
@jencai (3412)
• Philippines
3 May 07
You're welcome! I really love to share my thoughts with everyone. Have a great day!
@vishkren (21)
• India
2 May 07
Anybody in your position would be in a confusing situation you had been into. But what you could have done or you can do in future is that ask for that persons cell no. or his contact no. and tell him or her that you would be happy to call yourself but never ever try to disclose your no. to a stranger especially when you have met him or for the first time . So the next time you are in any such dilemma just give it a little thinking rather than panic .To put it in short - respond rather than react ok.
• India
2 May 07
no i will not give my number to anybody unless until he is very known to me. my point of view cell phone number is personal and private it should be disclosed to unknown persons
3 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
2 May 07
Thirty years ago it was nothing to give someone your phone number after meeting him in a dark bar over a drink. We don't have that kind of freedom now with all the crazies running around in the world.
3 people like this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
3 May 07
well theres nothing wrong about giving others a cellphone number...since he cant harm you anyway..but on your situation on that case i cant give some numbers on him due to the arrival of the bus.. i will be late and will not able to take a ride then lol..
2 people like this
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
2 May 07
Yeah i think u got yourself in a tricky situation. I think i would have done thew same as what u did. Iam not the person who can reject requests easily. But on the other hand i have cop friends as well. If the person tries to mess with me by any means i will make him pay for it. Hope he wont do any harm to you and u get another friend in your list. Cheers, Tutul
• India
2 May 07
I will not give my cellphone number to any of the new guys. They might disturb us by calling again and again without any purpose. If i am in such a situation, i will say the person that i am going to change my number and i will give the number later, if we meet again
• United States
3 May 07
I don't give my cell phone out to strangers because you don't know them well enough to know what kind of person they are. I would simply ask him for his phone number and explain to him that I don't give my phone number out. Or ask him if he wanted to go for coffee and talk some. I would set up a meeting place and meet and talk about what each of you have in common or what you don't have in common. But the one thing that I wouldn't do is give him my cell phone number. Just my opinion.
1 person likes this
@micamyx (916)
• Philippines
2 May 07
If the guy looks decent and he's cute, I'll give him my number right away hehehe
2 people like this
@woyaofly (61)
• China
2 May 07
i never meet the scene,but as i know,in the society,there are so many cheats,i don't know whether he or she is really want to phone somebody or cheat my phone,so ,if i meet the somebody borrow my cellphone,i don't want to borrow my phone to he or she,but i am a warmheart man,if i borrow it to him or her,i will follow him or her,wherever he or she go,if he or she don't mean to phone somebody,i will catch my phone!we earn money so difficult!i won't let my phone disappear.
3 people like this
@xeyedsyd (117)
• United States
2 May 07
i bet the guy got the looks huh, hehe,, the way i see the situtation, the direction thingy is just like a pick up line to reach the next level. :D what he really want is not directions but you.. :) well dont get sscared or something, maybe he just needs a friend
3 people like this
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
3 May 07
If I am in that situation, I really don't know what my answer would be.. It depends on my mood. It also depends on the guy ha ha! If the guy is cute and looks harmless, then I will give it. If he's a bad looking guy, then its a NO. I don't want a problem to come up after that instance so better be sure. Maybe, if I could not afford to reject him, I shall give him a false number ha ha so he wouldn't bother me for that ha ha ha!
@kumar27 (129)
• India
3 May 07
giving the cell phone no, to a person who is just introduced to me as another common passenger and no relation at all, is out of question since there is no busiones pupose.