Exactly. I don't know why anyone would perceive asking strangers for food as normal. We see panhandlers in some city streets and we certainly don't view that as an icebreaker, or friendly way to start a conversation. It's odd to frame what is commonly known as "begging" as normal friendly interaction with strangers.
Well, I wouldn't refuse food someone who would ask me for it and looked like someone in need. Things happen.
But in mountain? With all due respect, maybe if it was quite warm and safe, then sure, I could share whatever I have while not having to worry about having anything to eat.
But even having some to spare I would not share it with some hippie minded weirdo who wants to get some enriching experience. Sorry, but no.
Things happen. What if I would found someone injured, who lost his food and is in desperate need and have nothing to gave because I already shared what I had with someone who just expected to get something for someone?
It might happen to me or someone else. And just because of that I wouldn't be up for encouraging such behaviour which I find dangerous. Most people carefully plan their backpacks and spends to be safe, sometimes some unfortunate events happen even with that.
More you travel and hike, more people you meet with that irresponssible attitude of planning things and spends poorly (and not as one time thing, not as a mistake) with hope of getting something for free from locals or other travellers, praying on their good intentions. More people like that - higher the risk of someone really unfortunate not getting help in need cause someone else with weird spiritual attitude drained all resources.
It's enough to hear once from someone taking way too less food or water on a trip, that he had a plan to ask someone for it through the hike to not be up for sharing anything with anyone.
I highly doubt that she got there with full stomach. It's not good to eat just before, have 200 calories through 24h and another meal after. It makes hiking unnecessarily harder.