"Friends" requests used commercially?

[Lilladancer]

I have in my "new requests" box right now 4 friends requests from overseas costume suppliers. I have never ordered anything from any of them, they don't participate on the Bhuz forums, and I get the feeling that they are submitting friends requests to pretty much everyone on the site. Is this an allowed and kosher usage of the "Friends" system? I know that some people are customers of these companies and are probably happy to "friend" them, but I feel a little wierd about it, in that I don't know anything about them and they don't know me, but are simply trying to make their friends page as long as possible.

I don't mind getting friend requests from other posters whom I might not know, as I take that as an "I like your posts, can you friend me?" kind of thing, or at least that's a possibility. But having commercial businesses send friend requests doesn't seem like a genuine or legitimate use of the feature. It just seems like they're trying to get visibility. What does everyone else think? Am I missing something here?

If I were to receive a request from a costume supplier that I order from, I would feel fine about it I think....

[leylalanty]

I have 2 of these waiting and will refuse both of them. They are unsolicited friends requests from vendors I have never been in touch with for anything - treat it like junk mail, spam.

[naiyahayal]

Can you post the names? I have gotten a couple as well and am not sure who they are!

[Lilladancer]

Mine are from Safticraft, Bellydance Store, Legend Costumes, and Sahhar (sounds like the name of the dancer but the profile looks commercial). Anyone familiar with any of those? I have never ordered from any of them.

[naiyahayal]

Bellydancestore is Shahrzad -- perfectly safe. Andit's really nice to have Shahrzad as a friend!! She is a sweetheart and has fabulous costumes.....And Safti is Safticraft, used to carry Sahars, but I believe they had a falling out..t...Sahhar--I don't know, I was wondering myself Legend must be "Marta"????

[Mintaka]

I have also been getting these and haven't responded to any of them. I think Legend might also refer to this company, but I don't know, SHIMI

[zumarrad]

Oh, I just said DENY assuming both were spam! But I think one was Bellydancestore, ie Shahrzad. Do try again if you want!

[ozma]

I've friended a few back. One wrote me a nice PM. I haven't had any email spam or PM spam from them. If I get any, I'm removing them.

[sabrinabellydancer]

safti is cool. he also hosts a dance education festival in egypt that got very good reviews from some of the e.u. and south african dancers.

[cbarros]

I understand your reservations . . . but I am always curious, so I accepted a couple.

I got a nice PM back from Safti that indicated he had seen things I had written on gilded serpent . . . so I think he is doing some homework!

[Tammyraks]

I accepted safticraft, he such a sweetheart!

[Lauren_]

I got a request from Safti, which I approved because we've actually met and he was very helpful to Andrea & I in Egypt.

Legend must be Shimi (not Shimarella, but Legend Costumes Shimi), she does post here occasionally but I think her posts are usually commercial.

Yes, I suppose it is spam, but at least they're reputable vendors...

[Zarka]

I accepted Safticraft (also because of a nice PM and I love their hp) and Legendcostumes.

If I don´t get lots of mails /pms from them it´s ok for me.

[Uulady]

I accepted Safticraft as well. Very pleasant PM and seems legit. No spam from him.

[Uulady]

Did not repsond to a couple others tho. ;)

[meissoun]

My definition of "friend" is still somebody I know personally or have had longer online contact with.
Some people seem to collect "friends" like stamps, but in the end, it gets quite meaningless.
Like when we got a VIP-pass for a party and had to stand in line outside because about 100 people had VIP-passes. Yeah, right. We left and went somewhere else.

MEISSOUN

[Nepenthe]

I didn't add anyone I didn't know, especially if it's a vendor.
I'm the same way on tribe. Sometimes I take the chance and the person ends up being really cool, but mostly I feel like "friends" should be at minimum acquaintances, someone I've exchanged words with online or in person.