Dead on. This is a line often crossed by users of business networking sites and a big part of why I stopped using them.

Listen people, just because we have some of the same companies on our resumes or maybe know some of the same people does not mean that you and I are a ‘network’. I‘m not going to put myself out to do you any favors unless you have something to offer me in return. This holds especially true for requests that require I put my professional reputation on the line or require that I do something for you that you would otherwise have to pay for.

Am I a curmudgeon? Absolutely. Does taking this as my standard approach simplify my life and save me from feeling obligated (and thus, stressed out) by requests? You betcha.