I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. Every time, one is asking a random goy this question, you are mamash asking for it. This could be an antisemite, a druggie, a muslim, who can get offended and even attack you. I am not saying it is likely, but it is definitely possible. And it says that even a minor embarrassment or an inconvenience is a kaporah, such as putting your hand in the pocket and not finding a penny there. So, asking someone and getting a blank stare back is something.
And it is “ahavas isroel” because the chabadnik is ready to put up with that for days in a row in order to find an occasional Yid.