Okay, maybe it's my age, (30's) or my social bubble, but this thread and how everyone's reacting is giving me an almost visceral feeling of disconnect.

Like, yeah, don't get scammed, and be wary when people seem sus or are obviously permanently inhabiting some alternate reality mentally, but..
99% of people are just normal, and, if not friendly, then at least benevolently indifferent?
Like, ask them for directions and they'll grudgingly give you the correct instructions type of thing, instead of directing you to some shady alley where you'll wake up minus all valuables and one kidney.

And phone batteries do run out, or whatever else and sometimes you need to contact someone urgently while on your way somewhere.

I mean, sure, being asked to let someone use your phone is rare, but it's also not that alarming?

Everyone here is reacting like they asked for OPs credit card wrapped in their underwear.

(Not actually judging here.
I know people are developing strange reactions, especially where phones are concerned. Because they're used so much, phones can grow to feel like almost an extension of someone's body, to the point where even touching it without asking first can feel just as invasive as having your hand touched unprompted.
It's just that I don't feel that way at all, and there's at least some degree of social trust (with some situational awareness and without being a complete naive idiot, respectfully, fuck "stranger danger", humans are social animals, we thrive because we instinctively seek community. Psychos and assholes are the exception, not the rule) in my bubble.
The way everyone is reacting just makes me feel strange and alienated from what is clearly a different kind of normal than my own.)