Is giving charity in front of strangers considered "secret charity"?

Giving charity in front of people is considered public charity, and publicizing it does not necessarily mean doing so among acquaintances.

Allah Almighty says: (If you publicize your charities, it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you). This indicates that concealing charity is better because it is further from showing off, unless there is a predominant benefit in publicizing it, such as people following suit, in which case it becomes better.

The Prophet's Sunnah (definition) indicates the strong desirability of concealing charity, as narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in the hadith (definition) of the seven whom Allah will shade: (and a man who gave charity so secretly that his left hand did not know what his right hand spent).

The reason for preferring secret charity over public charity is to avoid showing off, and this reason is valid even if the charity is given in front of strangers.

Concealing charity also benefits the poor, as they are not subjected to the humiliation of asking in front of people.

Concealing charity absolutely nurtures the soul towards sincerity to Allah and seeking His pleasure.