Was I wrong to say it’s inappropriate for her to ask for my number?

Not inappropriate but if you don’t want to give it to her don’t.

A man who isn't a creep. Thank god. Well done

Why would the surgery is a friend went his number?

When I was 17/18 i used to go to a disco and an attractive man who worked there was 20 years older than me. He wasn’t sleazy in any way but would often make quips about wanting to be my sugar daddy sugar. Our paths crossed again when I was about 22 and I walked past a bar where he was sitting & joined him for a drink. I was in a serious relationship but if things had been different………..I still remember him with a smile and I’m now 75 years old!

Any chance that your "long time friend" has an important birthday, or other celebration, coming up in the next few months and his daughter is planning some sort of surprise party for him and want's to be able to contact his various friends without him knowing?
Just a thought.

If this was the other way round you’d be absolutely rinsed, it is totally inappropriate and of course you shouldn’t give her your number and imagine her dad would be furious if you had!

Could be inappropriate if you are a bloke.

You could drop her a message, a follow up to clarify. I don't think it was inappropriate she asked. I think it's also inappropriate for you to hand it out. I agree with you OP. The theme seems to be people think its inappropriate to insinuate she was asking for suggestive reasons . But as a man my input is it would be inappropriate for you to agree and put yourself in that position. For the same reason I don't message my mates wife. It's sort of the bro code , so whilst it's not wrong the only time we speak is when she reaches out saying she wants to organise a surprise birthday party etc... , I wouldn't dream of even having a conversation with my mates daughter over a private message , potentially fine if in a group chat or in public etc...

I highly doubt this situation will ever come up again, but were you not just tempted to keep your face and voice neutral and ask, "Why?" And find out why she actually wanted your number? I agree it seems odd, so I'd have been intrigued to know what her thinking was. Having said that I can see why you just panicked - younger woman, daughter of a friend, not wanting it to be misconstrued by others as something sleazy etc... is it too late to ask after her with her Mum or her Dad (your friend), say that you're concerned about her because she was acting out of character. If they ask what you mean, be vague, say you can't put your finger on it or something similar?

I think people are being very harsh here. Yes he could have said no a little more politely or maybe said get it from your Dad. But OP sounds like a very thoughtful guy, thinking of his close family and friends feelings, if he'd given her his number you'd all be calling him a dirty old man. OP please stop stressing about this, if she was drunk she probably won't even remember!

Can you give her my number?

This is ridiculous, the man did the right thing. He was considerate for a young person who in the past has had problems. He had no way of knowing for sure what her intentions were or if it would put the girl in a difficult position later down the line. And how would it have looked later on down the line if something did happen? Or if this young person was attracted to her father's friend. The guy obviously has her wellbeing at heart. He could have handled it better maybe. He could have said just get it off your dad. If the girl wants to see this man, then it's best to do it via a family member.

The replies are not necessarily ridiculous.
I thought it was laughable that OP has to ask her father (of a 24 yo woman) for permission or consult with him if he wants to or doesnt want to message his grown up daughter. If someone was sasking my dad for permission to have my number Id have zero respect for him. He can of course not want to be messaging with her and tell her this much.

When i was 19 i briefly went out with a 39 year old. God knows why but I definitely found him attractive! Probably more to do with being in a vulnerable place at the time and him being a knob. People have been harsh to the OP. He had a gut instinct and i think he was right to follow it. I also dont think (as some PPs have said) that he wants to be congratulated for saying no. He is worried that he has offended his friends daughter and potentially his friend!

@Ishoulddomore "Does it matter?"

Yes, it very much does matter that you're a man. You should've put that in your original post. Most of us wondered why (as a woman) you thought it so inappropriate to give your number to a close friend's daughter, as that would usually be no big deal. The only assumption was that she was possibly a lesbian/ bisexual and was hitting on you. Now we know you are a middle aged man the whole context has changed. Yes, it would be inappropriate but I do think you could've phrased it better to her!

Well he did say no initially, but whether you like it or not, lots of women in their 20s are attracted to middle aged men. I definitely was at that age but thank fuck I didn’t act on it.

Why wouldnt she be?

How many times do we hear of middle aged men leaving their wives for women half their age? Of course they are attracted to these men and its disengenuous of you to suggest otherwise in a pitiful attempt to put the OP down.

Why are you implying incredulity about this? It’s definitely possible.

You dont actually think she's attracted to you do you?

I think if you had put in your original post you are a man then you would have got a different response in the vote! I think you were right that it would have been inappropriate to give this person your number.

No Don't do that! It will appear Pervy, and that's exactly what you wanted to avoid in the first place!
Say nothing.
You were right to say to her that it was inappropriate to give her your number. Now just forget it.

You did the right thing to be honest. If there was any birthday party to be planned etc, she would have sought you out earlier when she wasn't drunk. Was there anything amiss between her and her boyfriend as she could have seen you as a 'safe' flirt to get him jealous. If anything like this occurs again, give her your wife's phone number and tell your wife its because she was tipsy and maybe would be better having a female to speak to. The poster who said if a wife was posting about her husband swapping numbers with a 23 year old, they would be on it like a shot is correct. Don't beat yourself up. She has probably forgotten about it while you are still worrying.

Why wouldn't you ask her why she needed it at the time, tell her to get it off your friend or talk to your friend about it?

I can't believe a grown man would come on here to ask such.

Agree with those saying it's weird how much headspace you've given the interaction.

You did NOT suggest she was vulnerable.

I'd be interested in her reasons for suddenly needing her Father's, married friends mobile number

it's there for everyone to read.

I'll post what I like thanks. You're the one posting against the talk guidelines & implying the DD in the OP had dodgy reasons for wanting his phone number.

No, you did not say the right thing. This is the adult daughter of a long time friend, so presumably she sees you as a friend too and has grown up knowing you too. How is it inappropriate, do you not see that you have a friendship with this girl too? If you felt if was inappropriate then why not check in with your friend first?