The furniture story isn't analogous; the young couple needed furniture, but this is a game, and nobody in the game actually needs anything. I do, however, need my time, so there has to be a compelling reason for me to help out when there's nothing in it for me.

I play a mage. The other day I was followed around by a mid-level character for a bit as I was hurriedly running between the auction house, mailbox and bank in Ironforge, trying to get geared up for an instance run. My guildies were waiting on me. The character (a Level 45 Draenei paladin, I think) was sending me tells, asking me if I could make some water for him. I didn't respond, and then ported out to Shattrath.

He then told me that I was rude, etc., etc., I /ignored him, and judging by the responses by others in general chat, started complaining there, too. My response: "Even if I weren't busy, and I am, I don't give handouts to whiners with a sense of entitlement."

I have been considering /ignoring and blacklisting his entire guild. Helping out their members is what a guide is for, after all, and if one of their members is so frustrated that he can't find someone -- a guildie or otherwise -- to help him out, I probably don't want to deal with any of his guild.

And, sure, I help out guildies. I hand out any green profession formulae I find, drop what I'm doing when someone asks for an enchant, loan out prismatic shards, give away lowbie gear, and so forth. But the only time I'll make water for J. Random Toon is if he opens wide and makes like an outhouse.

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