My neighbor's question about asking questions got me thinking

Last week, my neighbor Mark asked me if it was rude to ask a stranger for a restaurant recommendation. I said no, it's just being friendly and getting local advice. But then, three years ago, I was in a coffee shop in Seattle and a guy asked me for my Wi-Fi password, which felt like a weirdly personal ask. So here's the debate: where's the line between a harmless 'ask anything' moment and an overstep into someone's personal space or time? Is it about the topic, the setting, or just how you ask? What's the weirdest thing a stranger has ever asked you?

3 comments

3 Comments

mary6143mo ago

Tbh, my friend had a stranger ask to borrow her phone charger on a bus once.

-1

jessel353mo ago

I've done that a few times myself, it's no big deal.

samf952mo ago

Honestly used to find that kind of thing super weird. Like, just talk to a stranger? But then my own phone died at the airport once and I was desperate. This guy with the same phone type just handed me his charger block without me even asking. Totally changed how I see those little asks now. Guess we're all just trying to make it through the day sometimes.